Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet, the soulful New Orleans singer and occasional actor who was best known for his role as featured vocalist in the early days of the funk band Galactic, passed away on Sunday, July 15 at 66. He had been ill for some time and was in hospice care.
DeClouet was a singer with an emotion-laden, wide-ranging voice that could swoop to the heights like his mentor Johnny Adams, but was often likely to dig to the depths bringing out the socially conscious pathos in his original songs like “Ain’t No Yachts in the Ghetto” and “Pocket Change,” and covers like Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On” or Edwin Starr’s soul classic “War (What is it Good For?).”
In the 1980s he was a perennial performer at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and appeared around town with bands like the Lyrics, the a capella band Hollygrove, and his R&B outfit, Theryl and Reel Life. By the early 1990s, he was also gigging with the percussionist Mike Ward and his band, Reward.
His association with Galactic began when the band was in its infancy and had yet to solidify into its longtime lineup of bassist Robert Mercurio, guitarist Jeff Raines, drummer Stanton Moore, keyboardist Rich Vogel, and saxophonist Ben Ellman. Members of the band have issued statements via Facebook attesting to DeClouet’s critical role as mentor and early vocalist for the group.
DeClouet became a featured performer with the band helping to raise their profile with his local connections and deep musical knowledge of R&B, soul, and funk. His vocal segments were the highlight of Galactic shows during the late 1990s and early 2000s as the all-instrumental band was finding its groove. He left the group amicably in 2004 as they began to stretch their musical direction, but continued to appear with them until fairly recently.
The singer would emerge from backstage resplendent in one of his many multi-hued suits as the band vamped on some gritty groove or bassist Mercurio laid down the instantly recognizable bass line for one of his signature tunes, “Something’s Wrong With This Picture.”
On Galactic’s first album, Coolin’ Off, DeClouet intones at the beginning of the song, “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to New Orleans, Louisiana, home of the hits, and if you’re from out of town, huh-huh, welcome to the third world.” The chuckle he adds before the last phrase let’s the listener know he’s deadly serious, but ready to have a good time nonetheless.
His performances were powerful with the lyrical finesse of a balladeer and the sweaty intensity of a cape-draped R&B star. It sometimes appeared as if he were gliding onto the stage, and during his segments with Galactic or Reward he commandeered the bandstand and commanded the band.
As his star grew across the country with one of the fastest-rising New Orleans bands in recent memory, DeClouet always took time to honor those who came before him and were with him in his early days. He would bring out the members of Hollygrove for a capella interludes at local shows with his short-lived band, the Housewreckas, which often featured drummer “Mean” Willie Green of the Neville Brothers, guitarist June Yamagishi of Papa Grows Funk, and other local luminaries.
DeClouet was also an actor who appeared in film productions including a scene-stealing, star turn in Henry Griffin’s acclaimed short, Mutiny. That performance led to a brief appearance as a judge in the 2005 cinematic reboot of the television show, The Dukes of Hazzard.
He recorded two solo albums including The Houseman Cometh!, which appeared on a Concord Records imprint in 2001 and featured members of Galactic. Besides his many live performances with Galactic and guest appearances with numerous other bands including Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove, Papa Grows Funk, Ivan Neville, and George Porter, Jr., the album is the best way to appreciate the full breadth of his musical gifts.
The tunes include R&B rave ups like “You Came,” songs he was well known for with Galactic including the gospel-inspired funk workout “I Get Lifted,” the aching ballad “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know,” and the gritty “Battlin’ the Blues.”
As the featured vocalist for Galactic he appeared on their first four studio albums as well as a live release recorded at Tipitina’s. He also sang two songs, Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Mighty Mighty” and the Willie Dixon classic “Spoonful,” on jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter’s first album to feature vocals, Songs from the Analog Playground.
Theryl “Houseman” DeClouet left a major mark on the music and musicians of the city of New Orleans and across the country. His fellow musicians regarded him as the consummate professional even as illness slowed him down.
After the federal flood following Hurricane Katrina destroyed his New Orleans home, DeClouet lived in exile in Chicago for nearly ten years. He made his mark in the Windy City as well befriending numerous musicians and selflessly sharing his experience and wisdom with a new generation.
In March 2013, Tipitina’s was the scene of the “Bring the Houseman Home” benefit, which included many of his musical friends including Galactic, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Revivalists, John Gros and June Yamagishi of Papa Grows Funk, and other guests. Check the above vid for a song from the show. There were other benefits held over the years including events in San Francisco to help him get back on his feet after losing his home and incurring unforeseen medical expenses.
They were all testaments to his role in the tight knit, musically diverse community of artists that are often grouped under the jam band umbrella. But more significantly, the outpouring of love before and since his death has been testimony to his undying humanity. He will be missed far and wide.
