I am deeply disturbed. More accurately I might be clinically depressed after four, very long nights of the Republican National Convention. (Yes, I am quite aware it was over a week ago, but the trauma of the horrendous rhetoric is still very much alive in my psyche, especially with less than two months until the election.) The Duane Bartels Band challenge my mood with their hauntingly New Orleans, bluesy and somewhat swingy, new single “Messin’.”

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The Brian Setzer Orchestra and Parliament-Funkadelic are channeled in the group’s new single while bringing their own modern touches. The dancing horns join the accented drums before kicking in again with fierce screams. Attention fully awakened the entire band jumps in with animated collaboration. Both the vibrant vocals, “Quit messin’ me around,” and booming instrumentals reinforce my frustrated and extremely worried stance. At a minute and thirty-four seconds the tune turns psychedelic, expanding the group’s repertoire. The bass, keys, vocals, guitar, drums, harmonica, sax and trumpet are all given their moment to shine. Particularly, the vocals reverberate and howl, the keys strike hard but sweetly, the horns shriek and the beats lie heavily.

The tune concludes as powerfully as it began generating dynamic energy, reminding me I’m an action oriented, doer who isn’t going to sink into despondency. That’s just not me. Instead of falling into the abyss of despair I’m acknowledging, “You’re bringing me down.” I’m also adopting The Duane Bartels Band’s words, boldly proclaiming, “Quit messin’ me around.” I’m hoping others will follow suit. Let’s not accept the grandiose, falsehoods and incompetence that threatens our society. In November we can restore America’s promise.  We will illustrate we are sick and tired of the nonsense, clearly articulating, “Quit messin’ me around.”