Before telling you all about the band and their music it’s worth taking a moment to just smile at both the name of the band and the title of the album. There’s something about the way the words “Hoochie Coochie” rolls of the tongue that brings to mind both cheeky scoundrels and also womanising chancers all at the same time and the phrase “Danger: White Men Dancing” really does say it all and, if we’re honest out there, we’d all have to reluctantly agree that that phrase sums up most of us. The band took their name from the Willie Dixon song “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” and as many of you know Willie Dixon music is “the blues” in its purest sense.

The band consists of Bob Daisley on bass (Rainbow, Ozzy, Gary Moore) Tim Gaze on lead vocals and guitars, Jim Conway on harmonica, Rob Grosser on drums and the amazing Jon Lord on keyboards. Among those names are a couple of major league names with confirmed “rock god” status and when you cross the genre that the band's name is from you’ll realise that “Danger: White Men Dancing” is a blues rock album.

The albums material began to take shape way back in 2005 when Daisley, Gaze and Grosser started to write material at Rob’s studio Disgracelands. They continued to write, record and mix throughout 2006 before finally getting Jon Lord to add his keyboards parts which were recorded at Olympic Studios, Barnes. The album also features some guest vocalists more of which in a moment.

The album opens with “The Blues Just Got Sadder” a song originally written for Guitar Shorty, which he never used. The first thing that struck me about this track was its warmth and very mellow vibe. Everything sounds authentic and very reminiscent of early Fleetwood Mac (circa Peter Green). It’s a slow blues with a guitar solo which literally “cries tears” and sounds like Eric Clapton in full flow.

Next up is “Gotta Find Me Some Fire” a mid tempo number which has real muscle. It’s rhythmic flow brought to mind Robert Cray but its delivery has enough flesh on it to almost sound like a song that Free could have come up with.

“Twisted System” features Jeff Duff on vocals and he really nails the mood of a man who is overworked and underpaid (I know the feeling!). There is a nice moody keyboard breakdown in the latter half of the song and also a nice stinging guitar solo.

“Over And Over” I have to say just blew my socks off. Vocals on this track are from the mighty “Ian Gillan” and if you’ve been paying attention you will have realised that it sees him teamed up with his long time friend Jon Lord. It’s a delicate and beautiful number that really hits the spot. It’s supremely melodic and Gillan's vocal is a perfect blend of melody, power and control. The song builds to a superb guitar solo which made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Throughout the track is Jon Lord’s magnificent organ sound gluing everything together. This song is addictive and the title is apt, as you will literally want to play this track “Over And Over” again.

“Let It Go” had me grinning from ear to ear. It’s a bouncy number, which is slower than Deep Purples “Lazy” but has the same flavour. There is some tasty keyboard and guitar interplay and the lyrics have a nice positive message.

“Heart Of Stone” sees Jimmy Barnes putting in a guest vocal on this Rolling Stones cover. The band really nail the vibe on this track but sound slicker than The Stones as one would expect when one reflects on how much talent there is within the “Hoochie Coochie Men”.

“If This Ain't The Blues” once again sees Gillan back on the mike. He digs deep and there are a few small glimpses of his throaty roar that we all love. The song is a slow blues with an unusual chord progression lifting it into more epic rock territory than straight blues.

“Danger: White Men Dancing” is a nice mid tempo instrumental which once again utilises some little used guitar chords. The guitar tone is full and really breathes. You can almost hear the air in the amp cabinets moving. Jon lord puts in a very understated solo showing that he is the master when it comes to playing for the song.

“Dead Presidents” is an old blues number originally by Little Walter. The spirit of authentic blues is captured perfectly on this number and it’s a lot of fun.

“Hoochie Coochie Man” is also as explained earlier an old Willie Dixon song. This version is faster and has more muscle than the original and has a nice menace to it. It’s a song which has been covered by many artists so to put a different slant on things the band put in a reverb drenched trippy middle section and it works a treat. Jimmy Barnes puts his gravely vocals on this track and sings it like he means it.

“Bottle O’ Wine” sees Jeff Duff putting in another vocal and really capturing the mood of the song. The lyrics tell a wonderful story and it’s easy to picture the war veteran drowning his sorrows and bad memories.

“Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” is a song written by Don Nix, which appeared, on the Albert King album “Lovejoy”. This version is smooth and soulful with some superb guitar fills which had me thinking of Albert King and B.B. King. One can sense the band went to great pains to really nail the performance as correctly and authentically as possible.

“Tell Your Story Walkin’” sees the album closing on a song which really moves along with purpose. This is music walking the walk and talking the talk and it has some great moving bass lines, which are nice and punchy in the mix.

“Danger: White Men Dancing” is a bit of a gem thanks to some wonderful individual performances and its authentic vibe. It does perform a minor miracle in the subtle way that it mixes up “old school” blues numbers and shakes them up and puts a classic rock slant on them. A personal highlight is hearing Gillan and Lord teamed up on the wonderful track “Over And Over” which will have all lovers of rock music nodding and saying “that’s the way you do it”.

Although the album is blues based you don’t have to be a blues purist to enjoy this release, as every number is very accessible and will appeal to anyone who enjoys classic rock. The album is going to be released as a regular CD version but also as a special limited edition featuring a DVD. All in all a very enjoyable and rewarding listen and an album which has a timeless feel to it.

Let us know your views on Danger: White Men Dancing

Track Listing

Tell Your Story Walkin'
Over & Over
The Blues Just Got Sadder
Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven
Bottle O' Wine
Let It Go
Twisted System
If This Ain't The Blues
Hoochie Coochie Man
Heart Of Stone
Dead Presidents
Danger: White Men Dancing
Fire

Line Up

Tim Gaze - Vocals/Guitars
Bob Daisley - Bass
Jim Conway - Harmonica
Rob Grosser - Drums
Jon Lord - Keyboards