Wheatley, Donald Byron
Moondogs And Mad Dogs
The album, recorded at Reservoir Studios in North London under the watchful gaze of producers Chris Clarke (Danny And The Champions Of The World) and John Wheatley (Suburban Dirts), introduces the songs of Donald Byron Wheatley, each and every one reflecting on his life as a showman and that of his family who been ingrained into a way of life for over a century. Essentially a paean to his father, 'Big Don' Wheatley, Moondogs And Mad Dogs is unapologetically imbued with the sprit of Van Morrison, Dylan, The Band, Lennon et al, all musicians that have played a major part in both Donald's and his father life. Driven by an honest heart and a pure desire to make an album his father would have loved, Wheatley has produced something very special indeed - an innocent, loving musical tribute that stands alone as a remarkable debut. The band features various members of Danny And The Champions Of The World - Chris Clarke, Steve Brookes, Andy Fairclough - alongside Siobhan Parr and pedal steel legend BJ Cole. The music of Donald Wheatley is easily as lively as the characters who people his songs, a natural tangle of early rocknroll, raucous blues, sweet folk and a most unique phrasing of Americana - countrified rock thats as unique to Wheatley as The Bands own Canadian take on American music, or Van Morrisons Caledonian vision of soul. The sound is relaxed, down-home and upbeat, with a warm fireside vibe and the joyous, charismatic and intimate feel of a well-lubricated after-hours jam session. Its funky as hell in places (the sinful, bedroom-eyed Josephine), powerful and resonant in others (the scorched When The Rain Comes).