Doghouse Daddies by Doghouse Daddies

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Doghouse Daddies

"Doghouse Daddies"

Greenback Hill Records

BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO, © AUGUST, 2006

"DOGHOUSE DADDIES", is the name of this self titled disc by a bunch of Kansas City area bluesmen with about 140 years of experience between them. No, no, no, that doesn't mean they're all as old as Pinetop Perkins and Robert Lockwood Jr. They just happen to be four baby boomers who have all been playing the blues for about 35 years each.

The DOG HOUSE DADDIES are: BILL MORLAN, Upright Bass and Vocals; MARK ROLLINGS, Guitar and Vocals; A. W. HOWDY STEVENS, Harmonica; VAN DAVISON, Percussion.

"SOUNDS LIKE KC", one of the originals, is an impressive opening track. It's one of those tracks where no one particularly blows you away yet the tight little groove the bands in, combined with all of their timely solos, makes it a pleasure to listen to.

On any Rod Piazza track, done by any band, the harp player better be up to the task. HOWDY handles the duties very nicely on the Piazza penned "SOMEBODY" while MARK adds lots of guitar highlights.

The seven minute version of "EARLY IN THE MORNING" finds the band mellowed down easy. It's a soft, slow blues burner which features HOWDY and MARK taking turns at tearing it up. With the rhythm section locked in on a very subtle groove in the background, this track may very well feature the discs best harp and guitar playing.

Another original track just happens to be the name of the band, the name of the disc and the name of the song - "DOGHOUSE DADDY". This one totally rips. It's a fast paced number with BILL and VAN never letting up on rhythm while HOWDY and MARK lay down some blazing solos. BILL also does a great job on a song that was written for his voice. I could have easily handled this one, which may be the best track on the disc, being seven minutes long. I get the feeling that "DOGHOUSE DADDY" may very well be their ultimate crowd pleaser at the bands live shows.

"I'VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU" is another real good, slow, blues burner. It opens with BILL belting out some of his signature gritty and growling vocals before giving way to an absolutely phenomenal three minute guitar showcase.

JUNE will know a lot better than I on this, but I'm thinking that the reason the DADDIES may actually be in the DOGHOUSE is because they all went out and got "SLOPPY DRUNK". This Jimmy Rogers cover is another one of the best tracks on the disc and it takes the DHD'S home in real rockin' fashion. With BILL and VAN sounding like their having a race on bass and drums and HOWDY blowing his brains out on harp, this one is a real winner.

Be sure to stop by the dog house and visit the DOG HOUSE DADDIES at www.doghousedaddies.com, but a word of caution...........be careful where you step.

Reviewed June 2006 in the Blues News:

Reviewed by Bruce Hibbs

Doghouse Daddies

Doghouse Daddies

GBH 3006

Doghouse Daddies...have you heard these KC guys? Bill Morlan on upright bass, Mark Rollings, guitar, Howdy Stevens, harmonica, and Van Davison, drums.

These four guys combine to form a Kansas City style blues band that is destined to become a rock-solid favorite in the Midwest. Hell, they already are a favorite, but this CD will introduce many more people to the Doghouse Daddies.

Let me get right to the CD, as it is just fun to listen to and the sooner you get your copy the more fun you will have too.

I absolutely give an A+ to the first cut, "Sounds Like KC." This is a Bill Morlan-written song and pays tribute to blues, barbeque and the music scene in Kansas City. Not only a well-written song, but Bill's vocals just growl out the blues after a guitar/harmonica intro. I love this song and think this should be the "Kansas City" song as it captures the essences not only of KC as a fun town but the Doghouse Daddies as the essential KC blues representative.

Track two, "Somebody," is a Rod Piazza cover that features Bill's vocals, and there is a very comfortable guitar solo by Mark Rollings that strikes me as controlled yet totally into his instrument. This fits the music like a glove and doesn't try to overshadow what is the essence of the song.

This transfers nicely into the rarely covered Muddy Waters, "Crosseyed Cat." Doghouse Daddies treat it respectfully and truly, yet their stamp is on it. In this case Mark turns loose his strings just a bit more. The guy really knows how the blues from this era really should sound, not too heavy, not so many notes it wears you out, just strikingly "right".

Vocals are switched to the very capable Mark Rollings in the slow blues of John Lee Williamson's "Early in the Morning".

Again, the guitar work is excellent with plenty of interest in the chord changes yet doesn't try to "Stevie Ray" us. Nice work on this one as you can hear the "road" in the roadhouse daddies. Speaking of "daddies," Bill comes back to us with the fun "Rockin Sugar Daddy," a traditional blues shuffle with excellent harmonica work by Howdy Stevens. He shines on this one, and again I'm struck with the restraint these guys show in their work. It is flat good blues, people. The up-tempo original Bill Morlan song, "Doghouse Daddy," is all about these dogs as they howl their way through these lyrics, telling us all about Kansas City style blues. My guess is this is one of the band's favorite to perform 'cause it's like singing all about themselves'. Fun Stuff.

Not to let you think this band is all about blues from the past, the CD takes a sudden twist to the more modern Mark Rollings original, "Killed Somebody," and a heavy look at a disturbing image. Was it just a dream? Interesting harp work and just enough reverb on the guitar to produce a haunting song different from anything else on the CD.

A return to more traditional blues themes with "I've Got News For You," a slow blues song with Bill Morlan on vacals once again.

I hear this one and I see a hot, dusty roadhouse--drinks slowly drunk--maybe a game of pool going in the back--one or two women getting sideways looks from four or five hard-working men in dusty work clothes. Harp from Howdy Stevens tastefully makes this an easy drink of nice blues.

The final two songs are just what I imagined them to be, a well done Buddy Guy favorite, "Mary Had Little Lamb," introduced with a true Buddy Guy guitar leadin. Vocals are by Mark, which is probably a smart move as it puts a doghouse stamp on a traditional tune. It's Buddy Guy all the way and makes a very pure cover for a favorite song.

The final is, as you might expect, a happy, bright energetic moonshine whiskey tune called "Sloppy Drunk."

Doghouse Daddies enjoy what they do. It shows throughout this self-produced CD. A couple of things stand out to me. One, I was very impressed with the mix and master of the CD, as it was recorded live at three different locations: Dickie Doo BBQ, Trouser Mouse and Players. The ability to master these tracks successfully, with perfect volume control, is a testament to the professional quality and care Bill Morlan brings to blues.

Check out www.doghousedaddies.com for live performance information---but in the meantime have your own party with this really great CD.

From Rootstime in Belgium:

Deze heren zijn “hot” in Kansas City dat kan ik U alvast vertellen en na het beluisteren van deze cd weet je ook meteen waarom. Onvervalste Kansas City Style Blues With A “Feeling” plegen ze hun muziek te noemen en dat is de nagel op z’n kop. Wat meteen opvalt is de diepe rauwe stem van Bill Morlan die je meteen doet denken aan Microwave Dave Gallaher. Buiten het zingen speelt Bill Morlan ook nog de upright bass met brio. Het schitterende gitaarwerk wordt verzorgd door Mark Rollings, een man die licks speelt van Luther Perkings tot Eddie Van Halen en alles wat zich daar tussen bevindt. Verder kunnen deze heren rekenen op het schitterende spel van blueshapspeler Howdy Stevens en klasse percussiewerk van Van Davidson. Zowel Bill Morlan als Mark Rollings zijn niet alleen goede muzikanten maar bewijzen ook nog eens goede songwriters te zijn, luister maar eens naar ‘Sounds Like KC’ of ‘Killed Somebody’. Een nummer dat inslaat als een bom bij mij is wel ‘Early In The Morning’ met veel ruimte voor de bluesharp en een schitterende gitaarsolo van Mark. Mark z’n gitaarspel komt pas echt tot z’n recht als hij diep mag gaan. Luister ook zeker eens naar het zeer mooi en overtuigend gebrachte ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ met aangrijpende solo’s van zowel Mark als Howdy. Ik stel me deze heren voor op een podium en kan al meteen begrijpen waarom hun agenda zo rijkelijk gevuld is. Dit is Kansas City Party time van het eerste tot het laatste nummer.

Blueswalker.

TRANSLATION by Arthur DeKegel:

These gentlemen are "hot" in Kansas City, this much I can tell you. And after listening to the CD, you will know immediately why that is so. The real deal Kansas City Style Blues With A “Feeling” as they describe their music themselves, and this description hits the hammer on the nail. What immediately draws attention is the deep, raw voice of vocalist Bill Morlan - a voice that is reminiscent of Microwave Dave Gallaher. Other than vocals, Bill also plays a very mean upright bass. The magnificent guitar work from guitar virtuoso Mark Rollings consists of licks a la Luther Perkins up to Eddie Van Halen and everything in between. These fine gentlemen can also enjoy the magnificent bluesharp play by Howdy Stevens and first class percussion by the hands of Van Davidson. Bill Morlan as well as Mark Rollings are not only well versed musicians, but they prove to be excellent songwriters too. Just listen to ‘Sounds Like KC’ or ‘Killed Somebody’. A song that floored me in a good way was ‘Early In The Morning’ with a lot of open space and a superb guitar solo by Mark. Mark's guitar play really shines when he is given a lot of leaway (sp?). Also listen to the very beautiful and tasteful and convincing version of ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ with solos that grab you by the hands of Mark and Howdy. I imagine these guys on stage and I can see immediately why they are so solidly booked. This is Kansas City Party time from the first till the last note.

Blueswalker.

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