Before we get to the review here’s the pedigree:
Boneyard Dog is an Irish Classic/Blues Rock Band founded in 2015 and the brainchild of German/Italian Rock Singer Rob Mancini (Hotwire, Crush, Rob Mancini Band & Scar For Life) and Irish Blues guitar hero Davy Kerrigan.
Added to the line-up in early 2016 was American rock drummer Ron Wikso, an established artist known for his recording and touring work with some of the best musicians and known entertainers in the world including Cher, Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Foreigner, David Lee Roth (Van Halen), The Storm, Gregg Rolie (Santana/Journey), Eddie Money, CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revisited), Player (featuring Ronn Moss & Peter Beckett), Randy Meisner (the Eagles), Denny Laine (Paul McCartney & Wings/The Moody Blues), Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon/Ted Nugent/Jimmy Barnes), Michael Monarch (Steppenwolf), Dave Meniketti (Y&T), George Burns, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee and many others.
Half way through the writing of the debut album, Mancini contacted Tony Carey, former keyboarder of Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow. Carey played on the classic albums ‘Rising’ and ‘On Stage’, in the Rainbow line-up including Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell, Jimmy Bain and Ritchie Blackmore, touring the world for 2 years. He has recorded and released over 40 records, and produced records by John Mayall, Chris Norman, David Knopfler, Joe Cocker, and Peter Maffay (Germany’s top-selling rock artist). He has done several film scores and published well over 1,000 songs. Initially planned as a guest keyboarder on one of the tracks, Carey was impressed by the material and offered to fill the slot as keyboarder on the entire album.
Staying true to their roots in rock’n’roll music, a style all members are involved in for over a decade, the band also implemented their love and passion for blues into the project. With a lot of experience, compassion and inspiration the foundations are set for a new Classic Rock album that will find many new friends and listeners.
Mancini’s and Kerrigan’s song writing are combining harmonies, killer riffs and solos as well as creative lyrics to create an outstanding work of art.
Boneyard Dog recorded their debut album ‘Bluesbound Train’ between March and September 2016 at Total Control Studio Austin/Texas and GMG Studio ONE in Donegal/Ireland. The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Rob Mancini. In August 2016 the band subsequently signed to German label AOR Heaven.
Now that the bio has whetted your appetite the great news is that this is a keeper! With a sound not a million miles away from Little Caesar by way of any number of Classic Rock behemoths, Boneyard Dog have a distinctly hard rocking take on the Blues. Importantly they also have the songs, and with such an impressive pedigree they also do not get side-tracked and end up overplaying everything. Consummate might be the word we’re looking for!
Of the many highlights there’s the impressive Blues Rock of ‘Kingdom of Your Company’, which sits nicely against the Bad Co style lighter number ‘Lonely Road’; I’d have to say that the crickets and stripped back Southern rock of ‘100 Guns’ and the ZZ-isms of ‘Lay Down the Law’ perhaps stick in the mind most readily. Favourites change all the time though like with all the best albums.
I recommend some, but this is one you need if Blues Hard Rock is your thang!
