Robin Bank$ & Christian Dozzler
Livin’ Life
Bluewave CD-2009
Their friendship began in 2002, when Austrian blues pianist Christian Dozzler arrived in Dallas and made the fortuitous acquaintance of Canadian blues vocalist Robin Bank$ (Texas transplant, vintage ’99).
A friendship born out of mutual respect for their talent and love of the blues, the lively, jam-session prone local blues scene was their oyster! Dallas loved ‘em! Long live the blues! Friends always!
Later that year Bank$ released her second CD, (the critically acclaimed, Robin Banks – Live After Dark) and there, unsurprisingly, playing piano in her back-up band was
Dozzler. A successful CD for Banks, followed by Dozzler’s CD release in early 2003, and things got busy.
Gigs here, gigs there.
John Lennon once remarked, ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans’. Fortunately for the multitude of Bank$ and Dozzler fans, agendas were cleared and priorities modified. The Fates and Muses are smiling indeed, y’all!
Aptly titled Livin’ Life, Bank$ and Dozzler’s duo debut is a terrific example of style and teamwork, a testament to the virtues of loyalty, respect, friendship and patience. Throw a sense of fair play in there, too, since each contributes seven songs to the 14-track playlist.
(Oh, and did I say TALENT? That’s a virtue, too, isn’t it?) Either way, these two have lots of it!
Bank$ reflective, electric piano-enhanced rendition of the title track and the rootsy-blues moodiness of “Sister,” balance out her upbeat and playful ditties “Cocktail or Beer?”, “Everybody Let’s Dance” and “I Just Want My Legs Around You”.
As the sole instrumental contributor to the project, Dozzler is simply outstanding! His dexterity on the ivories is superior throughout the recording and appropriately supportive of Bank$ vocals.
Dozzler delivers on vocals, too, as evidenced on the snappy, boogie-woogie numbers “Walking”, “Roxanne”, “Into the Light” and “If You Wanna’ Be My Gal”.
Surprisingly, the Zydeco-Tango flavored “No More” is the CD’s only duet. A shame, because it’s a doozy! Dozzler’s accordion touches and stylish beat transitions give it an appealing flair. Bank$ and Dozzler’s harmony is rich and strong, too. To bad we didn’t get more of these.
Dozzler’s all-instrumental “Out of the Blue” and “For Pete’s Sake” are lessons in piano perfection. But Dozzler should be extremely proud of his Delta-styled “Story of the Blues”. This one is a classic in waiting, folks. I expect to hear covers soon.
At first listen, fans accustomed to less-acoustic, more instrument-laden performances from these two may be surprised at its starkness. Keep listening. Bank$ vocal clarity is superb and Dozzler is at the peak of his craft.
Livin’ Life is unpretentious and simplistic. But with less, there’s so much more.
- Bev Wilson -
- Don O -
Southwest Blues CD Review - November 2009
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