The Mad Dog Blues Duo offers an innovative take on contemporary acoustic blues. With Sean Bennight on guitar and Mad Dog Friedman on harmonica, the creative energy is palpable. The Mad Dog Blues Duo gives new vibrancy to the classic guitar-harmonica blues duo sound while drawing inspiration from an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional blues masters. Take a walk with the Mad Dog Blues Duo. It’s like exploring an exciting, new world of original blues in a favorite old pair of shoes. The Mad Dog Blues Duo is the Solo/Duo winner of the 2024 Mile High Blues Society Blues Challenge and will be representing MHBS in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge!
The Mad Dog Blues Duo LIVE AT THE END (Watch the full LIVE VIDEO ALBUM on YouTube.) "... the innovative creative sound of two talented musicians playing off of each other as they share a true love for this unique music and sound" ~ Chick Cavallero for the High Plains Blues Society "The Mad Dog Blues Duo gives fresh new life to the classic harmonica-guitar duo sound as their twin talents explore innovative ways to explore the world of Country Blues. The beauty of a live recording is that the duo gets to do longer versions of the songs and add some amazing solos to them, with some of the songs doubling in length allowing both musicians to have many opportunities to show their skills with no jealousy just mutual love of the music. Plus, this live show at The End had the incomparable blues legend Lionel Young on hand to add his electric violin to cut six the Skip James classic, "Hard Time Killing Floor Blues." This one is full of sorrowful blues, plenty of moaning and groaning, Lionel’s violin literally cries…Baby this is THE blues."~ Chick Cavallero for the High Plains Blues Society Click to read te full review of The Mad Dog Blues Duo LIVE AT THE END that Chick Cavallero wrote for the High Plains Blues Society.
“Hard Time Killing Floor Blues” is a major work in the blues cannon. It’s a social record of the depression years in the South and has even made its way into Hollywood as part of Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. It encapsulates the melancholier of that time, a depression within the depression. Often basic blue songs end up as band pieces, but its writer, Skip James, sings it solo, just with the guitar. The minimal arrangement reflecting the minimal existence of the time. In this recording that light touch is maintained, even through the addition of harmonica and violin. The guitar is dominant and takes the main role of keeping the melody and time through the song. The harmonica is played softly and the violin blends a scratchy, almost ghostly feel to the track. The interplay feels unique. The timing and balance will never be repeated. I always say there's a world of difference between a studio recording and a live performance, and we hear that difference again. All eleven songs were captured in 4K video and are available for your enjoyment on YouTube for free viewing."
CHARTED #3 IN THE WORLD-WIDE ACOUSTIC BLUES TOP 50 ALBUM CHART(ROOTS MUSIC REPORTS - Week of April 8, 2023)Read the full review of River City Roots (click on the graphic for a full sized image)
for all bookings please contact Mad Dog Friedman at maddog AT poetscoop DOT org |