Tales of the Black Dog
It’s been a long year and two months, but the Sea Dog’s second CD is at the manufacturer, getting spun into fine little silver discs. It’s definitely a time for celebration for us. It’s been a long haul, but so very worth it. Seems like a good time to drop down memory lane and take a look at all of the many changes that have happened since the first CD came out.
Who’s That?
The makeup of the band has changed a lot. We lost a member and gained four new ones, expanding both the talent and fun, but also the sheer sonic possibilities.
Joe Heller plays guitar and bass and loves singing. He has added to the set several traditional shanties, some of which we had wanted to do for some time. His bass chops are amazing, and he has since transferred his skills from the electric bass to the upright bass and has quick become a damned fine upright player. The addition of the bottom end to our songs has added a lot to the music. So much so, that we had to re-record one of our fan-favorites (The Sea)
Lonnie Ezell played guitar and sang when he joined the group, but has since added both the Low-D and High-D ‘penny whistle’ to the band. There have been numerous occasions when friends or fans have commented that they couldn’t believe he’d only been playing it for a year. The additional melody instrument adds fun frills in places, and deep support in others.
Mark Hughey brings some of the most kick-ass drumming you’ll ever hear to our sets. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get much of a chance to really show off his chops with us currently, but there’s always the possibility for something in the future. Back in the hey-dey of glam-rock, he worked with a number of recording artists including Don Henley, Cinderella, and the Eagles when he wasn’t playing in his own bands.
Diana Buie (DJ) is a music lover, song writer, and fiddler of over 15 years. She plays fiddle and cello, drums, dances and sings with various groups, including singing and fiddling in the Celtic band Queen’s Gambit. She plays the fiddle like Johnny himself, and has an incredible voice. (Heck, she plays so good that we got past our sailorly superstitions and let a woman aboard ship!)
An Evolving Sound
With the addition of so many new musicians, the type and styles of our music has evolved. We still do the music that you have grown to love, but we’ve been able to add new depths and layers to it. The music has grown up a little, I guess you could say. We’ve added a bit of rock, and a bit of blue-grass, to the list of inspirations.
We asked our friends on Facebook who we reminded them of, musically, after previewing a few of the new songs. No one was able to pin it down, but most of the bands mentioned were classic rock bands, including the Eagles. We’re thrilled to be thought of in the same vein as those giants. When we talk about our sound among ourselves, the songs evoke feelings of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Though none of the songs are truly one of these bands or another. Everything we do, we do in our own way, adding our own twists.
We’re still the same band you love, just better.
Just Around the Corner
With the CD at the manufacturer, that means the time when you’ll be able to get your own copy to add to your treasure chest is just around the corner.
We hope you enjoy it.
