DALE BANDY
BLUE.
ELASTIC PENGUIN 1929 1444 0420
MY BAD REPUTATION–IF I COULD ONLY TAKE IT BACK–GET IT ON–BIG LEGGED WOMAN–COUNTRY STAR–THE THRILL IS GONE–COMIN’ DOWN–I’M ON YOUR SIDE–TROUBLE IN MIND
Dale Bandy’s “Blue.” is his debut release, and one might best characterize his style as one that swings effortlessly from 50’s-inspired rockin’ blues, to his unique takes on the current state of contemporary blues. He crafts songs that deal with the ups and downs of everyday life, and how we cope within relationships. Throughout, Dale is on vocals, guitar, keys, and the drum program, and shares bass duty with Gary Thompson on two cuts. The horn section of Joe Bolero and Goran Eric appear on two cuts to round out the ensemble.
The set begins with layered, ultra-cool echo-effect vocals as our hero bemoans “My Bad Reputation” as well as “the public condemnation all across this town” that his lover has to endure. Dale digs deep down into a soulful groove for a song to which we can all relate, after opening mouth and inserting foot one time too many, “If I Could Only Take It Back.” punctuated by sweet keys-and-guitar interplay. He goes off on a humorous, amped-up tangent on “I want to be a Country Star,” and “hang with Bocephus and Willie, too!”
Dale’s covers are unique and well-played, too. You gotta love his funky, down-home take on Freddie King’s “Big Legged Woman, in that short short miniskirt,” and a brilliant organ and guitar duel that fires up “The Thrill Is Gone,” which served as our favorite. He closes the set in a unique manner, too. With only his vocal and guitar, Dale gives a performance of the traditional “Trouble In Mind” in the vein of a true Fifties’ troubadour!
Dale Bandy is hittin’ on all 8 on “Blue.” He’s a well-rounded songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer, and his songs ring with personal experiences, mixed with his own takes on contemporary blues. Two big thumbs up! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow.
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