Charlottetown's Plain Dirty Blues Band Lays it Down on Debut CD

By Chris Godwin (East Coast Blues Society Newsletter - November 2010 - www.eastcoastblues.ca)

The Plain Dirty Blues Band live up to their name. Five Dollar Cover has a raw edgy sound that only a three piece band can provide. Drummer Simon Moore is both innovative and straight ahead in his approach. He maintains a hard driving beat, with enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. Jason Furness plays a fat vibrant bass that fills out the sound of this three piece group. Doug Burton's guitar work is fluid, funky and energetic. He sings with raspy raw conviction.

The album has two originals, both by Doug Burton. The first of these is Unfit. The lyrics left me wondering whether the song is about kinky sex or homicide, and the music is driven funk/Blues. T-Bone Walker's Stormy Mondayis the next cut. The guitar work is light and jazzy, but when Burton takes the lead, he becomes focused and intense. Freddie King's I'm Going Down is track number three. The band plays a tight version of this, but to my disappointment they leave out the song's signature riff. Chunky, by Hubert Sumlin is the next track. This is a guitar player's song and Burton does it justice. I really like the band's choice of covers. They pick great songs that show they have a knowledge of what is out there. Gallows Hill is the other Burton composition. The title doesn't have much to do with the lyrics, but I like the song. Got My Mojo Working by Preston Foster (made famous, of course, by Muddy Waters) showcases some great Blues harmonica by Burton. I'd like to hear more of his harp playing. Track number seven is I Ain't Got by Jason Furness. This is a short breezy shuffle and is played with less intensity than the rest of the album. It gives the listener a pleasant break. The last song is Buddy Guy's She Suits Me To A Tee. The band shifts back into high gear for this number; they play it "Buddy Guy" style.

This is a good driving CD. I played it on my way from Halifax to Truro, and I think I passed everything on the road. Hat's off to The Plain Dirty Blues Band.

Five Dollar Cover by The Plain Dirty Blues Band, Lukas Raine Recordings