Soap Box

It was the beginning of the 21^st Century, and to celebrate, dad and the CDB went back to basics with ‘Road Dogs.’

This album has a very familiar straightforward CDB feel to it, and they even recycled the exact lettering from the ‘Fire on the Mountain’ album for the cover, but with a more metallic look.

The cover painting goes all in on the “road dogs” idea. A photo of the band was taken and two paintings were made, one of the band just as they looked in the photograph which was used for the back cover, the other one was ruff… pun intended.

All of the CDB had been replaced by dogs. I don’t know if I could tell you what each breed of dog each band member was. I’m pretty sure Chris Wormer was a sheepdog, and I know for sure that dad was a Burmese mountain dog.

Sadly, when many items were being sold from the CDB studio, the paintings were one of the casualties. Too many things going on at the time, and I wasn’t aware they were being sold.

Anyway, it’s a fun album cover.

And speaking of band members, I think this was the first album to feature drummer Pat McDonald. Jack Gavin left the band and Pat came in to replace him.

Also, dad decided he was going to take over the main producer duties with assistance from engineer Patrick Kelly.

Now on to the music.

The album kicks off with the title track, “Road Dogs,” which is basically about the ups and downs of life on the road, from problems with radio personalities, promotors, etc. There was a music video which with a performance portion which was shot on a flatbed trailer sitting next to a busy interstate. Dad was a road dog, through and through. He loved it.

“Ain’t No Law In California” is about a fella from the south who heads out to the Golden State only to be met by a local who gives him a warning about his state, telling him about all the pimps, pushers, punks and so forth that might be encountered and pointed out, “this is where the Juice got turned a loose” a reference to O.J. Simpson whose nickname was “The Juice.” 

At first, it sounds like he’s telling him to watch out because it can be a rough place for outsiders, but it seems more and more like this person is proud of the “Wild wild west” nature of much of California.

Bruce Brown contributes his first solo song on a CDB record with “Even Up the Score.” I think he performed it on stage for many years. Bruce has also written a few songs with Travis Tritt, the biggest one being “Tell Me I Was Dreaming,” which was a top 5 hit for Travis in 1995. The video was one of the trilogy of videos about a veteran who was confined to a wheelchair portrayed by Travis.

“Even Up the Score” is a decent album cut and fits in well with the rest of the project.

“Across the Line” is an extremely cool song, with some majorly screaming guitar work by dad, Bruce and Chris Wormer.

The song was actually written to be the title song for a low-budget movie about border agents which dad did all the music for.

The movie had a very limited release and a soundtrack was never released, but dad wisely included “Across the Line” on ‘Road Dogs.’ It’s a standout track for sure.

“The Martyr” was written in the aftermath of the Columbine tragedy in April of 1999, and is based on the story of a young female student who was asked by one of the murderers if she still believed in God, when she said that she did, she was shot and killed.

In the time that followed, there has been some questioning about the accuracy of the story of the martyrdom of a student and whether the incident actually occurred, but it does appear that a 17-year-old student named Rachel Joy Scott died for her faith.

“How Much I Love You” is that rarity of rarities, the CDB love song/ballad. It’s dad pouring out his feelings about my mom and their relationship’ “You are the melody heaven sent for me, you are the music of my soul”

Their love is a high standard to live up to, but they did it. It just takes love, patience, understanding and respect.

Next up is “Wild Wild Young Men,” and the name tells it all. Thematically, it’s not too different from the ‘Renegade’ album’s “Honky Tonk Life” which is a warning to young men and women who are obsessed with the honky tonk bar scene, this song is a warning to young women about wild young men who “chase too many women” and “they drink too much wine” and not to give your heart to one because “he’ll tear it apart.” 

Some bad boys are always going to be bad boys, and will never change.

“Sidewinder” is a jazz-flavored instrumental with a hard-drivin’ bassline thanks to the great Charlie Hayward, and twin electric guitars pickin’ the melody and some great extended solo, including a vibraphone (in the xylophone family) which had been used previously on the Million Mile and Full Moon tours and albums.

Taz is featured on “Standing in the Rain” which is about a man who’s just doing the best he can, whose heart “feels pain just like anyone else” and doesn’t like standing the rain. His heart has been broken, but “if you do what you love, and love what you do, you can’t get the blues.”

“It’s About Time” is a fun bluesy number that would have fit well on the ‘Blues Hat’ album. It’s about a man who is traveling, but he misses his baby and he has to call her to tell her that “she’s all mine,” and he can’t wait to get back to her.

“Sail Away” is a fitting end to the ‘Road Dogs’ album. It’s got a similar feel to Jackson Browne’s “Load Out.” 

It’s about the road life, and the fans who bought the tickets, the albums, and now - in contemporary times - stream the music as well as those talented musicians we lost before we lost dad, it’s a promise of a Christmas card and “if the good Lord’s willing, we’re going to see you all next year.” Then it’s setting sail on the highways on the “tall dark ships that pass you in the night,” the buses.

I sure wish he was still here to keep entertaining the fans he loved so much. He truly loved what he did, and he truly loved his fans, and “Sail Away” was a love letter to them.

And the ‘Road Dogs’ album was dedicated to those old road dogs who traveled with dad for so many years. It’s a lengthy dedication, so if you have a copy, be sure to check it out.

Next up is the CDB’s very first full live album!

Check out ‘Road Dogs’ HERE

What do you think?

Let’s all make the day count!

Pray for our troops, our police, the Peace of Jerusalem and our nation.

God Bless America!

#SonyReleaseHonkyTonkAve

#BenghaziAintGoingAway #End22
 

—  Charlie Daniels, Jr.

 

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