Happening for record store day 22nd April on Red Vinyl this bad boy is also getting a general release on CD/Vinyl and digital in May so fear not me vinyl lovers there will be plenty to go around and you shouldn’t miss out on what is one of 2022s essential releases.

There is where we begin. You see we all know Jo Dog and Paul Black and their fine recording pedigrees and let’s not forget their original musical dalliance together over twenty years ago on ‘Sundown Yellow Moon’ (my God I feel old). Well, this ain’t no sundown laid back easy listening music, this is party time Rock and Roll baby!

‘Everybody Rains’ draws on both musicians’ histories and their clear passion for what they do and spills it all over the tapes to deliver what is essential music covering all their passions from the delta blues to the back street rock n roll this album is seriously happening.

These twelve tunes are a stitched-together golden thread of everything that the pair have in their collective hearts. Beating out of their chests and onto the wax and through your speakers. It’s a thoroughly engaging record that has a wonderful natural ebb and flow. They also call on the help of some of their friends who clearly share the passion and deft touches required to make a record like this sound so loved and honest. Muddy Stardust (Who also helped produce the record) plays Bass and Keyboards. Dennis Morehouse (Gilby Clarkes Band) plays Drums, Tony Snow, (Soul Asylums) Chris Joyner (Keyboards) and Tony Babylon (Izzy Stradlin) also lends some Bass Guitar.

From the invite on the bluesy opener, it’s a hootenanny masterclass. ‘Tree For Shade’ is loose and like a summer breeze, a hint of Ronnie Lane and his Faces choons. They’re holding back on this one knowing there’s no point in going in too early but as soon as the solo slides out of the speaker you just want to crack open a cold beer and get on your feet to applaud the masterclass of Jo Dog’s guitar work which never falls short of fantastic, tasteful and just what the song needs – Never too much nor not enough – Nailed It Baby!

‘Up For The Late Show’ turns it up a little more as the keys pour a little fuel on the fire of that killer vocal. Hold on to your hat because ‘Blue Like The Morning’ slides on some Chuck Prophet countrified blues and you just want to find the nearest bail of hay and lie down watching the sun yawn over the horizon. Beautiful.

‘You’re Home’ is a cotton-picking riot and if you’re feeling plucky you can get down with the nearest lady and show her your moves to this one. ‘High Price To Lead A Low Life’ is back on the Balladeering Faces tip with a little Mott for good measure. You’re over three minutes in before the guitars are joined by anything resembling a drum. Black turns in a great vocal that’s not too dissimilar to prime Alice Cooper here.

If Dogs D’Amour fans want to get in on the act then ‘Dead In The Water’ is a deal with the devil in exchange for some twelve-bar rock n roll that had it been stolen from the Stones around the time of ‘Goats Head Soup’ or the uptempo jive they kicked up on Exile, big comparisons for sure but hey this record is a fuckin’ diamond, No joke!

The title track is a beast with some 70s rock n roll n pop for sure. The chorus is killer and if you want to get a summer party going then you won’t regret putting this on. Hey, leave the record spinning because ‘Sugar MAma’ is up next and with a great riff it’s underpinned with a rollockin’ barroom joanna and some well-rounded Bv’s. I’ll get the cocktails in whilst we drink in ‘Mi Vida Loca’ and if yer still sober we can chill out to the cool, hazy slice of Rock n Gospel according to these two Rock and Rollas as they get down to the chorus before chillin’ back down.

Oh shit, we’ve reached the finale and ‘With Regards From Hell’. This is a record that will kickstart the most cynical of hearts who want to hear a bloody excellent Rock and Roll record void of ego, void of drama, void of pretensions but bursting with a love of Rock and Roll and all that goes into writing the best song you can possibly muster from deep within your soul. Paul Black and Jo Dog have delivered an absolute belter. A beautiful record in many ways and one that will be appreciated by true believers of the fine art of what it takes to write great soulful music that comes from the heart and leaves nothing behind. 100% the star buy on this RSD 2022 Go get it!

Author: Dom Daley