The Blind Dog Mayer Group – Live Studio Session: From the Shadow of the Castle
Blues Note Records
6 songs – 28 minutes
Based out of southwestern Germany, where they captured band-of-the-year honors in the 43rd edition of German Rock & Pop Awards, the Blind Dog Mayer Group make an explosive debut with this this six-song release of guitar-fueled blues-rock. It’s a not-for-the-faint-of-heart mix that would fit comfortably in an era where ZZ Top, Robin Trower and Molly Hatchet were infusing heavy azure licks into music that was delivered with metal edge.
The veteran, four-piece ensemble came together in 2024. They’re fronted by Blind Dog, who adds harmonica when not delivering limited-range vocals in mildly accented English that occasionally gets lost in the mix. He’s joined by guitarist Dirk Lenz, whose runs soar stratospherically atop rhythm provided by bassist Michael Jung and drummer Marco Schmieden.
An all-original collection that’s both raw and unvarnished, the quartet have exploded onto the German music scene, where the heavier, rockier side blues-rock has ruled the roost for years. They hold nothing back while putting their own stamp on tunes with elements of Chicago, Texas and more laid atop a boogie beat.
Lenz’s slide runs open “Anthem of the Lost Sock” with Blind Dog bemoaning that one of his feet is cold because he thought he had two of them…but now no more. The missing sock, he insists, is worth more than gold. And Dirk’s extended solo drives the message home. The autobiographical rocker “Call Me Blind Dog” describes Mayer as rolling stone who keeps on walking without shame. He’s a howling hound who can’t be tamed.
The sprightly boogie “Moonshine Gasoline” follows with guitar and drums high in the mix and Blind Dog admitting that he needs a nip or two as he travels across Europe. And moonshine’s the best water he’s ever had. Then Meyer brings out his harp for the slow but steady “Harley Rider” which describes him as someone who shares his smokes with the Marlboro Man. The extended instrumental section mid-tune features fancy fretwork from Lenz before Blind Dog joins in on reeds.
The steady rock beats that have driven the four previous tunes are a memory with the downstroke of the ballad “That’s What I Saw.” A remorseful number delivered from the aftermath of a relationship, Mayer wishes he’d be able to relive the happier times he experienced in a dream. The disc concludes with “Shiny Curly Red Hair,” another driving rocker about a captivating lady who sweeps Blind Dog off his feet after meeting him at a bar.
If you’re a fan of extremely rocky blues-rock, you’ll probably like this one. If you’re looking for the old one-four-five, however…not.
