Billy C. Wirtz

Like most comedians, you either get the joke with Rev. Billy C. Wirtz or you don't...and if you don't get the joke, you very well may find his whole schtick a little offensive. Wirtz, after all, purports to be a social satirist sending up both America and Southern blues and gospels. To these ears, it doesn't really sound affectionate, but that's probably because I've never quite gotten over songs like "Strange Butt Blues," "Honky Tonk Hermaphrodite," "Will There Be a Shopping Mall in Heaven?," "Freeway to Stairbird," "Grandma Vs. The Crusher" and "Phone Call from Cletus." The good reverend appears to be cleaning up his act, since there's nothing quite so blatantly ridiculous on Unchained Maladies, his sixth album. He puts his piano in the forefront here, which is a blessing since his playing is admittedly fine, but the humor is an unnecessary burden to the occasionally good music. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide