Review: Big Dave & The Dutchmen – Big Dave & The Dutchmen
Big Dave & The Dutchmen – Big Dave & The Dutchmen
Format: CD – Digital / Label: Naked – Donor Productions
Release: 2025
Text: Pascal Wilhelm
It wasn’t the idea in the first place to record a full album. “In 2024, we played some great shows, and we wanted to make an EP to play some more in 2025. That eventually became a full album”, says David Reniers aka Big Dave. I guess it got out of hand? “We have such fun playing live, that also came out in the studio.”
All musicians on this album have a fabulous track record. Dave Reniers is perhaps best known from his work with Belgian band The Electric Kings (listen to I dig you baby, and you’ll recognize this past). Mischa den Haring is best known for his work with roots trio T-99, and the brothers Dusty and Darryl Ciggaar on bass and drums (Dusty being quite versed on the guitar as well, to say the least) need no introduction (Dry Riverbed Trio, The Rhythm Chiefs). Finally, Roel Spanjers on keys and backing vocals has an almost endless resume as a sideman, but don’t underestimate him as a solo artist, his latest album ‘Birdcatcher II‘ is more than worth listening to.
Almost all originals on this album, mostly written by Dave or assisted by the others. Mischa and Roel also contributed as themselves (Daring Haring and This Work). How did the band go about recording this album? “We recorded the album in two (!) days at studio The Rabbit Field in Hoboken (Belgium) with Stef Kamil Carlens as producer. He is fantastic, a very professional audio engineer and fun to work with.”
The album sounds great. It has a live feel, and the playing is just of an exceptionally high quality. But the album is also more than a bunch of class A musicians playing the blues. Especially Mischa, Dave and Roel are known for their progressive take on roots music, listen for example to Lonesome, which has a melody and sound that is remarkable, adding something new to the blues idiom. And the outro of So Sweet is so cool, Mischa’s guitar sounds great on that take. This Work is a great piano – based stroller with Roel’s signature all over it. It is just great how all the songs on this album fit together.
“We are looking forward to playing a series of shows at cool venues this season, especially now we have a collaboration with the new booking agency R&D Roots Agency (www.rd-roots-agency.nl)”, says Dave. R&D Roots Agency indeed has an exciting roster (Doghouse Sam & his Magnatones, Little hat, Richville, Bacon Fat Louis, and The Hoochies, to name but a few). Label manager Rik Penninga brought together musicians who share many memories, feel the same passion, and appreciate and support each other where needed. I am sure lots of blues and roots lovers will start to embrace the R&D community. Pay attention folks!
Big Dave is killer. Listen to Blues Jumps In, the closing song on the album, reminiscent of the traditional Another man done gone that Vera Hall recorded in the forties. His singing and playing, all so excellent. And all by himself.
Big Dave & The Dutchmen, a need-to-have.
Tracks:
01. Never Love Again
02. I Dig You Baby
03. Screwdriver
04. Daring Haring
05. Trouble of the World
06. Lonesome
07. So Sweet
08. This Work
09. Never Love Again (upbeat)
10. When You Go to Sleep
11. Blues Jumps In