Last year I wrote my first review for Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham. It was for their album, Pigs Might Fly. It was a fascinating album which I enjoyed reviewing and it provided celebrated listening long after it debuted. I was also fortunate enough to interview Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham, shortly after completing the review, and we had some fun talking about pigs that might fly.
Doris Brendel is an award-winning progressive rock star. Last year she won the HRH Prog Angel Award. Lee Dunham should be, an award winning guitarist, and maybe after this blues album, he will be so honored. He deserves it. Now Doris and Lee have returned to release a blues album, Big Blue Sky, on the 21st on April, through Rocket Records.
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham, have been making music for years. Mostly progressive rock, with some steam-punk leanings and the accompanying wardrobe, to boot. Big Blue Sky, features 13 well-crafted blues tracks that blend, as the band describes, “raw emotion, soulful melodies, and top-tier musicianship”. Big Blue Sky features a stellar lineup, of the “Three Sam Musketeers”, including: Sam Brown (Hammond), Sam Blue (vocals), and Sam White (drums).
Big Blue Sky includes classic blues ballads (“Under the Covers”, “Red Letter Blues”) to the humor-infused “Slow Wi-Fi Weekend” and soul-stirring duets (“Is This the Last Time”). The album is a fresh and dynamic take on the genre.
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham made a blues album, huh? Well, let’s get this party started:
First of all, Doris has a raspy voice, which is perfect for the blues. So, it is a surprise that she and Lee have not recorded a blues album already. But as I always say, “It’s not when you do it, it’s if you do it”. “Long Long Time”, may be the ode to having waited so long to do this blues album. It opens with some golden, blues chords and riffs from the electric guitar. Then, Doris and Lee duet, “It’s been a long, long, time, I’ve been waiting such a long time”. Doris has a voice which compares well to Melissa Ethridge, but I think her voice is more soulful like Kim Carnes, Janis Joplin, Lucinda Williams, or Neko Case. Anyway, this song opens the album perfectly. With great electric and acoustic guitar playing throughout the soundscape. The accompanying drum beats and percussion, satisfy the soul. The keyboards squeeze in, to help add the special sauce to the overall mix and improve the diversity of the sound. The choir-like choruses are so soulful. When Doris and Lee shoot for the power vocals, you can absolutely feel all of the emotion. For anyone who has had to wait for their love’s return, this song is for you.
“I Should Have Known”, opens with drums and a power electric guitar riff, before the sound quiets, to give Doris’ voice, front stage. Doris sings, “You didn’t know that I planned to leave you baby. You could not have known how I feel inside. You went and caused all these problems. Now we’re fading away. You should have known not to play around baby”. Another great someone has done someone wrong song; delivered with commitment. Glorious electric guitar soloing which will stay with you long after the song ends. Doris delivers the blues in a soft and subtle way. However, emotionally, you can feel she is in this situation or may have gone through similar situations in her past.
“Under The Covers”, opens with soft piano and electric guitar. It sounds a little jazzy, like one of Pat Benatar’s True Blue album moments. Maybe “So Long”, without as much back-up from supporting instruments. Just like Pat’s song, this is a stellar performance, which is one of the best songs on the album. By the way, Pat is another good comparison to Doris, in this blues mode. Doris provides the punch-line, “Under the covers, doubts disappear”.
“Slow Wi-Fi Weekend”, is set to a foot-stomping beat. Acoustic guitar, drums, tambourine, and the perfect pace for dancing. Doris, sings, “Am I missing out?” I don’t think so. Nothing missing here. Such a great genre direction for Doris and Lee, with our without Wi-Fi. Sometimes not having Wi-Fi is a good thing, if you know what I mean…as long as you’re together, under the covers. But, this is a song not unlike Springsteen’s “57 Channels (And Nothin’ On)”, full of frustration, with modern technology.
“Is This The Last Time”, opens with Doris raspy voice and soft acoustic guitar. She sings, “In the quiet of our shared space. Two different worlds converge in praise. We laugh and cry. Seldom agree. Then your absence leaves a void in me. Different paths we have to find. You’re the missing piece of my heart”. Then, Lee sings, “Two worlds collide like the crashing tides”. Together they sing, “Is this the last time you walk through my door?” Then, some smooth electric guitar that took me right back to Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game”, blues guitar. Another of my favorite songs. Lee’s vocals compliment Doris perfectly. What a fine team!
“In The Doghouse”, opens with percussion from the drummer and some slinky cool, electric guitar. Yes, you can tell, this one is gonna be a lot of fun, indeed. Doris sings, “And when I want some peace, you always wanna fight”. Then, percussion that is so well syncopated you won’t be able to stop tapping your feet to the crazy beat. Doris sings, “I started running, just as you slowed down to walk”. Sometimes we as couples are not on the same page, all the time, despite living together and thinking we know everything about each other, when it comes to what we both want. But Doris is singing about what she needs; and it is more, clearer communication. But that goes both ways, Doris. Better to sing it in a song than to yell at each other? Well, exactly.
“Red Letter Blues”, opens with grand drums and a powerful electric guitar solo and riff, before Doris sings. “I’ve been working so hard, but my money’s not coming in. I’m just trying to survive, and make it to the end. Can’t seem to catch a break. No matter what I try. What happens in the bank, the price is still too high”. Yeah, perfect subjects for the blues, love and money. Never seems to be enough of either, for all of us, and songs like this, sum up the feeling well. Another great blues hit.
“Satin Row”, sounds like a Melissa Ethridge song; but wait, there is more. Doris sings, “Momma said, “Don’t you go down to Satin Row. ‘Cause that’s where all the bad girls go. You don’t wanna end up like them. With a life full of sin and to be called bad. I can’t help going down that street. All the black lights ah they look so sweet. Maybe just a peek. Momma’s words keep echoing, “Don’t you dare be a fool”. With a beat like Allannah Myles, “Black Velvet”, and a sound and feeling like KT Tunstall’s “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”, this song cannot go wrong. Another great blues song that brings back so many memories, while also developing some new one’s about the “wonderland”, of Satin Row. Or is Doris actually talking about Savile Row? Gonna ask her during the interview. She does sound like she is singing Savile at times….
“Hold On”, opens with soft bass, then Stevie Ray Vaughan level electric guitar playing. Another good bluesy tune, full of solid drumming and electric guitar.
“Today’s The Day”, opens with cool programming and orchestration, before the piano electrifies the soundscape. The drums open full, as Doris sings, “I’ve been hiding behind a mask for so long. Afraid to speak my mind. Afraid to be wrong. I’m done with the fear. Done with the doubt”. Then she sings, “Today is the day to be myself and hold my head up high”. Doris wants to talk and work things out. A good song for anyone who needs the courage to speak up.
“Cold Coffee Blues”, opens with the full “orchestra”, including: drums, guitar, organ and bass. The lead electric guitar reminds me of SRV, and the upbeat rhythm of the song makes it another of the best songs on the album. No one likes cold coffee. You feel cheated and you know something is missing. Losing time. Doris sings about losing all her time. No time to drink your coffee while it is hot.
“What Has Happened To My Dog”, is a great title and an upbeat song, despite the partially sad storyline. The Hammond organ parts add so much to the soundscape. A fun song to dance or rock out with your partner. With a title like this, you knew Doris and Lee were going to have some fun with it. Doris sings, “Just me and my dog. Two peas in a pod. Ahh ooh!”
“Big Blue Sky”, is the powerful, Western-like closer. An almost Eagles-sounding opening to this one. Nice change of pace and direction. Sounds a little like, Peter Gabriel’s “Sky Blue”, that got re-written and performed by the Eagles. When Doris and Lee sing together, it lifts the spirits of all of the soundscape on this one. The electric guitar soloing is amazing. Then, they close this one out with clapping and who hoos. Ye Ha!
Big Blue Sky, is an excellent UK version of the blues. And just like the first wave of UK artists from the 60s, Doris and Lee have created their own version. And I, for one, love it! I hope there is a follow up in the works. Be it the next album, or in the future, I am ready to hear more. Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham have proved that they are talented enough to jump genres and perform as amazing as blues artists as they have in the progressive genre. Give Big Blue Sky a listen, and I’m sure, like me, that you will want to hear more. Look into that big blue sky and open your mind, and your ears!
Album Track List:
- Long Long Time
- I Should Have Known
- Under The Covers
- Slow Wi-Fi Weekend
- Is This The Last Time
- In The Doghouse
- Red Letter Blues
- Satin Row
- Hold On
- Today’s The Day
- Cold Coffee Blues
- What Has Happened To My Dog
- Big Blue Sky
Produced by Lee Dunham, Big Blue Sky is available digitally, on CD, and on vinyl (featuring a special 9-track selection). Doris Brendel has performed with some of rock’s greats, including Fish (Marillion), Wishbone Ash, and Nils Lofgren, and was even invited to tour with Pink Floyd.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://dorisbrendel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/doris.brendel/
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/@dozbee1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1voj3oBjQk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcwRqlKxO5o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VdjuiIWI-Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK06rew-hsY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3WduXZSHA8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXKFH8jbhYE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djWXuTGxIZI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQTVbJlyNOI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOQYpJLGMbc