The album opens up with the story of “Against The Wall,” a melancholy song reminiscing on a teenage love that was great at one point, but now is running thin. “When You're Down (And You're Out)” is an uplifting ballad which has a great texture created by Danny’s piano along with a layer of guitar and trumpet, making this the jazziest song on the album. On this track influences in Danny’s singing from such jazz vocalists as Billy Holiday and Ellen Fitzgerald are readily apparent.
“Madison Bound” is a tune driven by blues and rock instrumentation with a big band feel added by the incorporation of horns. The tune changes pace and drives forward with lyrics from that speak of moving on. There is noticeable cumulative development of technique and stylistic devices displayed by Ross on this track.
Ross is a blossoming musician that shows promise for future compositions.
The distinguishing factor about his music is that it shows inspiration from
different artists, mostly singer songwriters, that make his music very recognizable
– but at the same time he always adds his own touch to the recipe.
This EP is available on iTunes. For more information on Danny Ross, log on
to dannyrossmusic.com.
– Chris Davidson
This group clearly displays its fluid live performing capabilities. Traveling a great deal to capture this ability, the group does a foot-stomping rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” featuring timeless harmonica solos by Johnnie “Harp” Collett. “Back Where It All Began” is a great folk-rock strum that shifts gear into a chugging cover of “One Way Out” by The Allman Brothers Band. The seamless tempo changes, thorough harmonica interludes, and articulate guitar solos by Mike Bottalico keep Big Daddy & The Bulldogs’ original songs on the right track. They are quick-witted blues artists that have the ability to live up to their motto: “Spreading The Gospel Of The Blues Far & Wide.”
The climax of the album is a fervent cover of The Animals' classic “House Of The Rising Sun” that churns into a blues-rock soliloquy, as Karl “Big Daddy” Reamer makes a direct reference to his father’s love of the rails, revising the verse “my father was a gambling man” to “my father was a railroad man down in New Orleans.” The song contours perfectly to the last deep “Blues Medley,” from their live act.
Drummer Jay Cavanaugh stands out here, continually keeping the pace alive
and mimicking the timeless rhythm of the rails that is the backbone to so
many blues songs. This album is definitely a great CD to play at a weekend
barbeque. "Big Daddy" offers tracks and CDs free on this website,
bigdaddyonline.com, which also includes a complete listing of future performances.
– Joe Vetter
