CD review: Doghouse Sam & his Magnatones – "Buddha Blue"

There never was any doubt about their individual pedigrees. Singer/guitarist Wouter Celis, aka Doghouse Sam, has played over 500 concerts with the Rhythm Bombs. Drummer Franky Gomez was recently voted the Netherlands’ best drummer. As for Jack ‘Fire’ O’Roonie, the man ranks among the greats of double bass, having terrorised all and sundry while with the Wild Ones before backing the likes of Ike Turner and Ronnie Dawson.

No, the question was, would Doghouse Sam & his Magnatones gel as a three-piece; the blues is a notoriously unforgiving genre when you don’t ‘keep it tight’. The answer is a resounding yes, Buddha Blue showing over 13 songs the ease with which their individual styles blend together, from the fast-paced Ain’t Got Time to the more roots-rock sounding It Ain’t Easy. Refreshing touches such as the honky-tonk piano on Roll Up My Sleeves add variety to what is a mighty fine blues album, unobtrusively produced and combining precise vocals with razor-sharp musicianship.

(Music Avenue / Blues Boulevard)

www.doghousesam.info

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