Live and On Fire by The Love Dogs

You can hear it loud and clear on their three Tone-Cool cds "I'm Yo Dog" (1996), "Heavy Petting" (1998) and "New Tricks" (2000). Many of the cuts from these three discs have been blues radio favorites, several of the Dogs' signature original songs have been used in feature films and on television, and one has even been sampled for use on the upcoming Run-DMC cd!

But as much fun as the Dogs' studio discs are, it's nothing compared to seeing them live. FMQB magazine called Love Dogs' concerts "the stuff of legend" where "soulful vocals, killer grooves, unpredictability and pure entertainment play equal parts". With their brand new cd "Live And On Fire" The Love Dogs have finally captured the unbridled energy of their live show on disc. Far from a live retread of previously recorded tunes, "Live And On Fire" features ten brand new tracks captured live on a summer weekend at the famous Sea Note nightclub on the outskirts of Boston.

"It's important to us to have fun, and sometimes even we don't know what we're gonna do next." says lead vocalist and songwriter EDDIE "DUATO" SCHEER, a former sideman of r&b legend Johnny Adams. "We have a lot of humor in our music, and we love to surprise each other and make each other laugh. When a crowd can see that, it becomes contagious. Pretty soon they're giving us back as much energy as we're putting out, and the whole thing keeps escalating. We call it the 'tribal love vibe'".

Featuring some of the Northeast's best players, it's impossible not to notice the high level of musicianship in this band. "We're all lifetime fans of blues, jazz, and r&b, and we all have a real reverence for the music. Part of what makes this band special is that we really play together as a unit, and the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts." The band's lineup consists of SCHEER, ALIZON LISSANCE (keyboards, vocals), MYANNA (alto/tenor sax, vocals), GLENN SHAMBROOM (guitar, baritone sax), RANDY BRAMWELL (bass, vocals), STEVE BROWN (drums, vocals), newest kennel-mate MARK PAQUIN (tenor sax, trombone) and special guest and old friend "SAX" GORDON BEADLE (tenor and baritone sax).

Part Rat Pack party, part 20th century musical encyclopedia, and part revival meeting, "Live And On Fire" showcases the Dogs at their best, leaving their audience breathless and begging for more. The New York Post says "Even though the music could make Leonardo's David dance, it's the songwriting that separates these dogs from the rest of the pack" and Blues Review agrees "If there were a Superbowl for crowd pleasing rhythm & blues, a photo of The Love Dogs would be on every Wheaties box in America." Scheer sums it up by saying "If this band doesn't put a smile on your face, check your pulse because you might be dead."

The Love Dogs - Live and On Fire

The Love Dogs have spent the last ten years blowing audiences away with their high energy live shows. In doing so they've built a fanatically loyal following across the U.S. and in Europe. For years the Love Dogs' friends and fans have been asking the band to record a live cd, and "Live And On Fire" is the answer to those requests. Far from a live retread of previously recorded tunes, "Live And On Fire" features ten brand new tracks captured live on a summer weekend at the famous Sea Note nightclub on the outskirts of Boston.

The disc kicks off with the Deadric Malone composition "You Did Me Wrong", an outstanding , if lesser known track originally recorded by Bobby Bland as part of his legendary Duke sessions. This horn and guitar driven shuffle sets the mood, and gets the audience in the groove.

The next two cuts, "Never Mine" and "Baby's Got A Secret" feature two sides of the New Orleans R&B sound that the Dogs have always loved. The former is a soulful stroll evoking memories of Smiley Lewis, and featuring a vocal by Eddie "Duato" Scheer that starts out sly and sarcastic, but builds to an impassioned frenzy on the out chorus. The latter is a funky second line street beat arranged in a brass band style that leaves room for everyone to blow.

"First Floor Girl" is a jump tune with a big band arrangement propelled by drummer Steve Brown and some great horn section work. It starts with an a capella vocal, and is capped off by a tasty tenor /bari sax trade between Myanna and Glenn Shambroom. "Keep On Lyin" is pure big city blues, with a scorching guitar solo by Shambroom, and a gospel tinged vocal break by Scheer reminiscent of the blues shouters of the 50's.

This rare introspective moment gives way to the joyous zydeco rhythm of "Knocked Out". Trombonist Mark Paquin steps out front on this punch drunk tune about love and fighting, and pianist Alizon Lissance jumps in with a quick but dazzling accordion solo. The song peaks with a dixieland horn breakdown ripping into a powerful unison section that takes the tune home.

The audience gets a chance to catch its breath on Alizon's poignant ballad "Only Time Will Tell" where her plaintive vocal is set against haunting piano and tenor. "Why Did You Lie?" is the one holdover from an earlier Love Dogs cd, but it's given a completely different treatment here with Randy Bramwell's funky bass providing new urgency, and Myanna's solo sax blowing the roof off the joint.

The band is joined by old friend "Sax" Gordon Beadle on tenor sax, and the wildness reaches its peak on "Hey Hey - Walla Walla" an uptempo swinger honoring the Dogs' favorite little town out west. Brown is again firmly in the driver's seat as the four horns engage in a vicious battle, followed by an extended scat solo by Scheer that has to be heard to be believed.

The audience begs for more, and the Dogs are happy to oblige with a rockin' version of the Bobby Lewis classic "Tossin' and Turnin'". Scheer does the vocal proud, and Myanna and Gordon are as one on the soli section. In the end the audience is left rapt, ecstatic, and wrung out!

What The Critics Say:

"The Love Dogs are funny, funky, and push a beat 50's style until you can't help but tap your feet. With big thick horns and humorous, sexy lyrics, this band is built for fun."

-BLUES REVIEW

"Even though the music could make Leonardo's David dance, it's the songwriting that separates these Dogs from the rest of the pack."

-THE NEW YORK POST

"The Love Dogs deliver the goods with enthusiasm born in a roadhouse."

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

"If these guys don't make you want to dance, look in the mirror. You're the dog."

-BOSTON HERALD

"The Dogs combine tongue in cheek humor with impressive musical chops...the band captures the spirit that spawned jump music...a heavy contender for national fame."

-WORCESTER PHOENIX

"Sheer's razor-sharp vocals (the man even scats convincingly) are a throwback to the great days of Big Joe Turner and Wynonie Harris."

-SOUTHLAND BLUES, California

"These guys 'n gals sure know how to do low down, dog dirty boogie woogie right! A must see."

-BLUESWIRE

"The party vibe recalls Louis Prima's band with Keely Smith and Sam Butera, but with modern flourishes and funkier sensibilities. No matter the style, these canines show considerable chops"

-ALL ABOUT JAZZ

"The Love Dogs attack it like a Doberman chomping on a fresh stew bone, and play it with verve and fire."

-DELTA SNAKE NEWS

"This CD by the Love Dogs is by far one of the best of the year."

-MUSIC CITY BLUES, Nashville

"Overflowing with horns, good humour and swinging rhythms, making perfect party music."

-BLUEPRINT, British Blues Connection

"Whip me, beat me, make me write bad checks! You aren't bound to find in your lifetime a more danceable, funny, or just plain more fun band if you sat down and invented it yourself."

-THE HARD REPORT, Music Industry Trade Mag.

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