Customer Reviews

Mad Dogs & Okies

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You've got musicians banding together from everywhere with one person in common, Oklahoma sideman Jamie Oldaker. There are two Oklahomans besides him, JJ Cale and Vince Gill. But you've also got Peter Frampton, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson and a whole passel of other folks singing and playing on this collection. What's the music about? Oklahoma, mostly--but the theme is for the most part, very upbeat.

It's hard to pick a standout from this CD. Probably my favorite is "Positively" by Clapton, the song rolls out like a good Spring day in the country.

"Magnolia" was a surprise. I first came to know Tony Joe White because of his trademark "Polk Salad Annie" and his funny and funky live session at Austin City Limits, but this slow thoughtful ballad really makes use of his voice.

Hadn't heard any Frampton since the 70's and "Sending Me Angels" was nothing I'd have expected from him either, but it's a gorgeous gospel feeling song and Peter's voice has not changed a bit.

If you like any of the artists I've mentioned and want a various collection that will show the depth and breadth of their talents in ways that you have not expected, this is definitely a CD you need to get.

Jamie Oldaker has been one of my favourite drummers since, in common I suspect with a lot of British music lovers, he first entered my consciousness with his work on "461 Ocean Boulevard". My immediate reaction after I bought "461" on the day of its release in 1974, having applied needle to Side 1, was to sit open-mouthed at the driving yet loose-limbed drumming on "Motherless Chidren". I've loved his work ever since.

So it came as a complete surprise then to discover only a month ago that Jamie had put together this wonderful CD FOUR YEARS AGO. Having listened to it I'm kicking myself for not having music of this quality in my collection for all that time.

Looking at the names on the sleeve (do they still call them that?) I was half-expecting a pedestrian "fun if you were there" type album (I never read reviews until I've heard the music myself) but this is a consistently entertaining set of what I'd call "fully formed" tracks, recorded at various locations and encompassing a wide range of styles from the unique, gently swinging, Tulsa sound to country, blues, boogie-woogie and gospel (yes, folks, Peter Frampton singing gospel....and it works).

Every track, each so different from the last, is a highlight in itself, but the two great pleasures of "Mad Dogs...." are:

A. Hearing the superstars genuinely enjoying themselves - Eric Clapton's "Positively" is performed in just that spirit, Taj Mahal has the time of his life on a swaggering "Don't let your feet git cold" and country-flavoured "Stagger Lee", and JJ Cale contributes two excellent songs in "Daylight" and the up-tempo "Motormouth" (the latter featuring a cameo from Willie Nelson).

B. Discovering artists I haven't come across before, like Willie Alan Ramsey, Wiley Hunt and Ray Benson (all of whom I shall be investigating).

I unreservedly recommend "Mad Dogs..." and if you loved "Testifying" (the third volume of the excellent "Country Got Soul" series) you'll REALLY love this. The genius that is Tony Joe White and the still extremely sexy Bonnie Bramlett appear on both albums by the way.

The brainchild of Jamie Oldaker, Mad Dogs & Okies is a collection of artists, musicians, and writers that are wither from Oklahoma of have been involved of influenced by Oklahoma music over the years. It includes artist such as Vince Gill, Eric Clapton, Peter Framton, Taj Mahal, and Willie Nelson. The song selection is a combination of original material and covers. Some songs work ("Promises") and some don't ("Can't Find My Way Home"). One things for sure, it a blues album tride and true.

Jamie Oldaker has done an outstanding job with putting this album together. I love the different styles that were merged together in putting this project to fruition. I was especially pleased to see that he brought one of his old stomping buddies (Eric Clapton) on for a few tunes along with Vince Gill and several local Tulsa artists too (Steve Pryor, Jimmy Karstein, Junior Markham). Again, if you are looking for something very diverse, mixing all styles of music together, this album is for you.

Jamie Oldaker, the drummer with Eric Clapton for many years and with The Tractors and others have made a truly fine CD. The Tulsa shuffle is so good to hear in this setting. "Mad Dogs & Okies" is a CD that makes you smile and feel good. Many fine guests or friends are visiting the studio - the only one missing is the Master of Space and Time - the one and only Leon Russell. Even without him it is a GREAT CD.

Go get it, you will love it.

Rene

Off the Charts - a must for all that truly like music - and I don't mean today's stuff.

Right from the opening Vince Gill song, the bass and drum lays down that familiar Tulsa-time groove for just a pleasant and enjoyable CD listening experience from beginning to end. I am intrigued that most of it was recorded just north of Louisville in Nashville, Indiana. This is a small Indiana town in some real pretty and hilly country. The guests also include Eric Clapton, Taj Mahall and Chuck Blackwell, WA Ramsey, Bonnie Bramlett, Peter Frampton, JJ Cale, TJ White, and on and on. A unique cover of Leon's A Song For You is done by an Oklahoma sister and brother duo, Joe & Ellen. Most covers of ASFY are done in a jazz style but these siblings give it a folk/alt feel.

This is totally my sound!! I grew up with this music and Steve Pryor is chilling. Not a weak moment anywhere.