The DogTown Blues Band – Search No More
RVL Music
10 tracks/39:2
Richard ‘Loob” Lubovitch has put together a cool album of mostly covers of some mixed and interesting stuff with the DogTown Blues Band. Featuring two great front men in Kaspar Addo and Bill Barrett, the nine covers are all handled well vocally and the backing music is all done with great taste and musicianship.
Loob is originally from Chicago and spent lots of time out west. He’s been a sideman on guitar for many greats and is a talented player. Addo hails from England and brings his soulful blues and R&B style into his songs. Barrett is a noted blues and jazz harpist who also is an amazing singer. Bassist Trevor ware is solid as is drummer Lance Lee. Both have played with many a noted act. Marcus Watkins adds his fine guitar on three tracks. Last but certainly not least is Wayne Peet on all things keyboard. Hisorgan throughout adds a super sound to every cut; and he also plays piano and acted as recording engineer, all jobs well done!
Percy Mayfield’ “Cooking in Style” opens the album and it’s a swinging tune with Barrett on vocals and harp. There’s a great groove and the chromatic harp is well done by this harp master. The organ also adds nicely to the mix. Another Mayfield cut follows, “River’s Invitation.” Kaspar Abbos fronts the band here in this down tempo and cool blues. “You Better Believe It” follows with Barrett featured again. This one’s an old, New Orleans rocking tune done originally by Paul Gayton and Barrett nails it both musically and vocally. Willie Dixon’s classic “You Shook Me” has Abbos on vocals and some nice guitar work by Lubovich. The approach for the cover is somewhere between Chicago and Led Zeppelin, with a heavier nod to the Chicago side of things and it’s well done. The lone original cut is next, Luvovitch’s “All Night.” It’s a slick instrumental blending blues and jazz with great support from the backline. The guitar is thoughtful and sublime, the organ is a nice part of the song and it’s a well crafted piece overall.
The band goes back to Louisiana for the following cut, Jimmy Dotson’s “Search No More.” Abbo does a fine job on the vocals and Watkins take the lead on guitar. Soulful and sublime, it’s a great cover. Little Richard’s “Miss Ann” follows as Abbo growls a bit as he leads the effort in another sweet cover. There’s both a nice guitar and organ solo here, too. Abbo continues on “Glory of Love,” a Billy Hill tune from the 1930”s that Benny Goodman first made famous and countless others have also down. Dog Town makes it their own with emotive vocals, more well done organ, and some pretty piano by Wayne Peet. Barrett returns to take us to church a bit on “I Wonder.” First released during the Second World War by then Private Cecil Grant on a 78 rpm record with vocals and piano, the band here expands on the sound with guitar, organ and Barrett’s chromatic; it’s got a nice feel to it. The album concludes to the Doobie Brother’s “Long Train Coming.” Abbo sings, Barrett blows harp,and the tune swings in more of a jazzy manner rather than the original. Lubovitch and Martin share the guitar leads; it’s an interesting take.
The album flies by with ten songs taking barely thirty-nine minutes. Lots of old school songs; nice, interesting covers with lots of creative arranging and a cool original tune make this a fun ride from top to bottom. Blending blues and jazz seamlessly, the DogTown Blues Band delivers a fine new CD for all to enjoy!
