| Musical Style: Blues Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Girder Music | Country Of Origin: USA & New Zealand |
| Year Released: 2021 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 37:24 |
Veteran vocalist Dale Thompson is no stranger to the blues. This much is evident from his work with Bride, which delved into blues based hard rock territory on critically acclaimed albums Kinetic Faith (1991), Snakes In The Playground (1992) and Scarecrow Messiah (1994). Artist’s solo albums from the same period might have backed from the heavier proclivity in trending traditional blues-rock territory but also are of note, including Speak Into The Machine (1994), Dale Thompson & The Religious Overtones (1995) and Testimony (1998). Hence, musical direction to his August of 2021 Girder Music most recent solo offering released under the eponymous title Dale Thompson & The Boon Dogs. Contemporaries Glenn Kaiser Band, Stevie & The Saints, Darrell Mansfield, Greg Chaisson and Big Chris & D'Bare Bones Band come to mind in light of ten songs characterized by gritty guitar fortitude, shuffling bass presence and artists signature earthy vocals.
Whereas packaging provides no songwriting credits, I cannot help think they attribute to the talented musicians performing on the albums - said ‘Boon Dogs’ in question - to encompass guitarist Joe Prunera, bassist Greg Campbell and drummer Myles Barfield (of Thompson’s side projects Dabster Gentlemen and Haunted No More). Artist capably handles lyrics, with extensive liner notes providing the meaning to each song.
Opener “Preacher Man”, for instance, details an old preacher driving a horse and buggy from town to town giving away the Gospel:
Deaf, lame, sick and blind
Preacher man, preacher man
Spirit of the Lord came on me
Preacher man, preacher man
On the Sabbath Day
Preacher man, preacher man
I cam for the poor and captive
Preacher man, preacher man
To wake them from their graves
Preacher man, preacher man
Musically, it embodies the mirthful with heavier rocking (albeit not quite hard rock) guitars in delivering tons of heartfelt soul in the process. Thompson’s gritty and raspy vocal delivery aligns with the bustling ardor, while Prunera proves every bit musing from his arrant licks and chops.
“My Friend Judas” is of similar musical affinity, equally nimble in form - referencing the fetching upbeat focus - but also not quite heavy, guitars point towards an almost funk like tone. Putting it over the top is female Gospel backing vocals joined with backend harmonica.
“Blind Bartimaeus” draws its prose from Mark 10 in focusing on the blind man who had never seen calling out to Jesus:
Son of David have mercy on me
The crowd said, oh boy
You better hold your peace
Hey blind man, the master calls to thee
Tell me now what you come to see?
Restore the blind man, give him sight
Open his eyes to the light
He prayed Lord Jesus pity me
I need a touch from the Nazarene
I appreciate the songs thumping disposition, low-end hits with full force, as razor edged rhythm guitar mixed with acoustic points towards the dutiful. No less intent is songs hooks, enticing with a purposeful if not astringent flair.
“One Of A Kind” represents one of this reviewers favorites. It takes a best of both worlds approach, accenting a Country Western twang with its acoustic guitar and grainy vocals, but also a light metal ambience as searing guitar leads make periodic appearance. Presence of an unmistakable melody lends to potential radio play.
I also take to “Talking To Be Heard”, with its instrumental acoustic mixed with lead guitar minute long opening. Song slithers at a brooding mid-paced clip rest of the way, continuing with the acoustic sentiments alongside a low-key and mournful frame rooted in shuffling swagger. “Talking To Be Heart” deals with long-winded preachers:
Take me down to the valley
Where the trash is burned
Take me down to the devil
Where the hearts are turned
No one stirs the ashes expecting a flame
The ol’ preacher turns salvation into a game
Maybe he don’t have all the answers
Just talking to be heard
Album returns to the upbeat on “Valley Of Hinnom” with its rollicking bent, not backing from the expansive in terms of its studious bass line and airy guitars nor the earthy in light of the Hammond B3 to make a rousing statement. I particularly appreciate the mid-point instrumental break home to crystalline lead guitar. One cannot deny albums transparent production in the process.
“Oh Brother Of Mine” comes across as a gentle and humble acoustic rocker. It blithely drifts its span entrenched in the gravel soaked, impact mirrors the soulful, connected with singular electric guitar and keyboards, enhancing the catchy hooks to forthwith draw in. What we have is a masterful take on the blues song “John the Revelator”:
What did John see?
He saw invisible things
He told us of things
That only a blind man sees
All nations standing before the throne
Robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb
A new heaven and a new earth
Christ the Light in every man
“Opposites Attract” derives of bluesy slid guitar to reek of the muddily swamp like (similar to Moonshine Zombies) but still stays true to the same plainspoken hooks to make albums better material to separate. Pure brilliance as Thompson snarls in his raspy croon:
Take away religion / that leaves us at the cross
Take away Jesus / and everyone is lost
Better to give than receive / all depends on the powers that be
“The Hem Of His Garment” awes as a sludgy acoustic rocker of a meandering form, downtrodden and mournful with its forlorn brooding but also uplifting as obscure piano paints a picture of the hopeful. As its title suggests, song bases around Matthew 14:36:
The hem of his garment
Healing in His wings
Got to touch the hem of his garment
It’ll make my heart sing
I am so dry, I need his Rain
Nothing grows from my world of pain
Locust has taken all that I got
Album closes to one of my favorites in “Walking Through Jericho”. Song proves dreamy and ethereal, a sluggish stroll to atmospheric guitars and Gospel backing vocals only to gain incentive for edgy rhythm guitar that impels over the final minute. All the while, a larger than life melody paves the pensive way.
Dale Thompson & The Boon Dogs adds up to a strong blues rock album with occasional heavy rocking overtures. Thompson, of course, remains in fine form vocally, while the ‘Boon Dogs’ provide strong support with ample blues drenched musicianship. Putting everything over the top, however, is songwriting with ten equally good songs of traditional blues upholding solid hooks and melody structures. Blues-rock fans would be well served by picking up the self-titled debut from Dale Thompson & The Boon Dogs. This reviewer looks forward to a follow up release.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Preacher Man” (4:01), “My Friend Judas” (3:42), “Blind Bartimaes” (3:12), “One Of A Kind” (3:38), “Talking To Be Heard” (4:07), “Valley Of Hinnom” (3:59), “Oh Brother Of Mine” (3:19), “Opposites Attract” (3:25), “The Hem Of His Garment” (3:50), “Walking Through Jericho” (4:10)
Musicians
Dale Thompson - Lead Vocals
Joe Prunera - Guitars
Greg Campbell - Bass
Myles Barfield - Drums
Additional Musicians
Troy Thompson - Guitars
Lawson Ray Zaring - Guitars
Sean Clancy - Guitars
Skip Phipps - Acoustic Guitar
Graham Carruthers - Organ & Piano
