Review: Doghouse Sam & His Magnatones – Gone Too Long
Doghouse Sam & His Magnatones – Gone Too Long
Format: CD / Label: Doghouse Sam Records
Release: 2024
Text: Pascal Wilhelm
‘Gone Too Long’ is the fifth release of the Belgian Rhythm ‘n Blues trio Doghouse Sam & His Magnatones after ‘Buddha Blue’ (2013), ‘Knock Knock’ (2014), ‘Going Places’ (2017) and the vinyl EP ‘Goin’ Mad’ (2017). They have been around for more than 10 years, playing in more than 15 different countries and receiving acclaim through winning the 2015 Belgian Blues Challenge and reaching second place at the European Challenge in 2016. The title of this new album almost sounds as if they are apologizing for being absent from the scene for a while. But it is perfectly fine to take a break and sometimes it might even be necessary because, well … life.
At least I did not forget about them. I remember studying their music when I lived alone for a while (yes for THAT reason). Wouter Celis (aka Doghouse Sam) has a thing for short and catchy songs (several songs on this record are below 3 minutes) that make impact and, to be honest, I used some of his ideas for my own. In his words: “My style of playing isn’t about big arpeggio sweeps or stuff like that. What I dig is the more primitive/brutal approach and try to come up with strong songs that aim directly at the heart.” Thanks, Wouter!
Martin Ubaghs took over from Jack O’ Roonie on the upright in the meantime, Franky Gomez (one of the best roots drummers around) is still on board and the three men present what they are good at on this new album. Their recorded music has remained quite consistent in quality over the years and this album holds no surprises in that sense, but this one definitely sounds better. The songs were written over the last years and recorded in Sam’s home studio with Bart Vervaeck on pedal steel guitar (The Other Side and Time Well Spent), Bas Janssen on organ (I’ll Take It)and piano (Nobody Else Around and The Boogaa Hoogaa), and Eefje Wouters (backing vocals on Time Well Spent).
If you like an uplifting and exhilarating live show, go see Doghouse Sam & His Magnatones. They have that rare combination of a band producing original material and using that to put on a great performance, in other words: a real band!
Hail hail Rock ‘n Roll!
Tracks:
01. Gone Too Long
02. The Other Side
03. I’ll Take It
04. Shakey Situation
05. Nobody Else Around
06. Time Well Spent
07. The Boogaa Hoogaa
08. Good Lookin’ Woman
09. Low Down Dog
10. Stompin’
Website: https://www.doghousesam.com/