CD Review – Steve Dupree & The Delta Flyers “Dr. Dupree’s Love Shop”
Who said the blues can’t be fun? Especially when done Texas style. Steve Dupree .aka Dr. Dupree created just that when he took his band The Delta Flyers to Wire Recording studio in Austin Texas for a three day marathon recording session, with owner/engineer Stuart Sullivan at the controls and Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff producing. The band of outstanding players; Travis Stephenson on guitar, Quentin “Q” Calva on bass guitar, and Steve Bundrick on drums, where recorded hot off the floor on twelve original tunes penned by Dupree that run the gamut of modern rhythm and blues. But the common thread throughout the album is Dupree’s fun loving lyrical wit and puny rhymes. The Flyers were joined by some great guest players who add flavor to the fine recordings. Marcia Ball jammed out on piano on “First Dance,” giving it an authentic barrelhouse feel. The Texas Horns; Al Gomez, John Mills, and Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff are featured on several tracks including the funkified title track. The Northwest own Alice Stewart also add vocals to “Love Shop,” along with Lisa Tingle, playing the foil against Dupree’s machismo. The swampy stomp of “St Paul’s Bottom,” is spiced up nicely by the fine harp playing from Kaz. The infectious “Soulbilly Music,” mixes just enough cornball fun with a danceable hook and the blazing slide guitar from Stephenson on the double shuffle “Aint Gonna Be Your Dog,” gives it a classic feel. Dr. Dupree only misses the mark on the albums overly schmaltzy ballads, but you can certainly expect a good time if you visit his “Love Shop.”