Big Al Dorn & The Blues Howlers – She’s The One For Me
Self-Release – 2025
10 tracks: 65 minutes
She’s The One For Me is the third album from Wisconsin bluesman Big Al Dorn. According to Dorn’s Blue Blast Magazine interview from the August 18, 2022 edition, Dorn was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and, as he said in that interview, “music has always been around the house since I was a little one.” Dorn has been a fixture on the Wisconsin music scene for many years and recently (2025) won a Wisconsin Area Music Award (WAMI).
The album’s one-pager states that this release “features ten original songs written by Big Al,” who is backed by his band, The Blues Howlers. The one-pager goes on to say that She’s The One For Me “is an exciting gumbo of blues styles performed with intensity and authenticity.” Those styles include West-Coast swing and Mississippi Hill Country blues, along with some good ole boogie.
Dorn handles harmonica, guitar, and all vocals. Joining Dorn are Benny Rickun on harmonica for two songs and Alex Wilson, who plays guitar on the second track, “Greenback Blues.” The Blues Howlers are: Paul Stilin on guitar, Bobby Sellers on the drums, and Rick Smith on bass. The album was recorded at El Rancho Relaxo Studios with Stilin and Dorn as producers. Bill Cicerelli mastered the recordings.
“No One Invited Me” is a toe-tapping traditional boogie-swing number, featuring Dorn’s gritty opening harmonica and a backbeat that just won’t quit. Another toe-tapper is “I Wish She Would’ve Said Goodbye” with its blues-styled shuffle and, once again, Dorn’s harmonica: low-down and mean. “Greenback Blues, with Wilson on guitar, also has that standard shuffle groove to get everyone out on the dance floor. Dorn and company mix it up a little on “Nobody’s Fool” with a great country-inspired rhythm and those “sing along” lyrics.
The album’s title track, “She’s The One For Me,” starts off as a blues-rock bruiser—with terrific slide guitar—and keeps up a grinding pace throughout.
“True Love (Is There Even Such A Thing?)” slows things down with a jazzy flow and Big Al’s tight vocals. “Confessions” is another slow—and soulful—number with a great opening and a cool downbeat.
She’s The One For Me contains all the ingredients that make for an authentic and rich “blues gumbo” that blues listeners and Big Al’s growing fan base will certainly savor.
