DAVID DOT HALE &
BLIND LEMON PEEL
Press
“When David Dot Hale a.k.a. Blind Lemon Peel hits the stage wearing his fashionable Red Hat be prepared for a mix of variety, vaudeville, comedy, freak and cabaret show, one of a kind, all-in-one experience rooted in hearty bluesy traditions of songsters, shouters, growlers and talkers exemplified in modern blues by John Lee Hooker, Howling Wolf and Koko Taylor trapped in a small town fairground circus and merry-go-round atmosphere suddenly frequented by Captain Beefheart and furthered to Waitsonian hobo like reality spiced by Kansas Jump Blues jazzy piano of New Orlean’s Dr John and this is how you ultimately arrive at the show perfectly emceed by the Master of this musical gumbo ceremony - Mr. Blind Lemon Peel his bad self. It’s gonna be a ride….Always.”
- Jerzy George Kossek, Jazz and Blues Poetic Cafe
“A brawny voiced blues shouter who is part Howlin’ Wolf, part Dr. John, part Tom Waits, and 100% true and authentic David Dot Hale is an old black man trapped in an even older white man’s body. ... This ain’t no run of the mill, sittin’ around cryin’ in your beer blues cover band. They’re a funky, get up and shake your love thang boogie woogie blues machine with an upbeat, low down, healthy sense of humor guaranteed to please.”
- Indy Pulse Music
“Blind Lemon Peel drags out his phrasing so delightfully tantalizingly that it's almost to the point where it sounds like jazz than more restrained, sweet southern soul, occasionally drawling out some words delightfully, to the point where it sounds like a horned bullfrog croaking the blues. Obviously the vocals are what make this band unique. Blind Lemon Peel's singing is like nothing that's come down the pike for awhile.””
- Kevin Wierzbicki, antimusic.com
“Ladies and Gentlemen please come and see 8th Wonder of the Blues world!!! None other than Blind Lemon PEEL, AKA David Dot Hale... He Sings. He dance, he may even stand on his head if he thinks you'll like it !!! You will definitely enjoy his show! BLP is the new kid on the Block in the northern California Blues Market so come see the fresh new Blues Meat. Don't miss Concert !!!! You got to catch BLIND LEMON PEEL, Before he go on his schedule World Wide Tour hitting every chitlin circuit gig on Earth !!!! I can't wait to see this Blues phenomena again.”
- Ronnie Stewart, West Coast Blues Society
"Blind Lemon Peel is the alter-ego of vocalist David Hale, and the band also features Steve Burgh on guitars, Joel Diamond on keys, Hugh McDonald on bass, and Richard Crooks on drums. To describe their sound, you gotta think outta the box. Add in some funk from James Brown and Johnny Guitar Watson, some country-fied blues from Elvin Bishop, the humor and vocal delivery of Rick Estrin, and, shall we say, the irreverence of Wynonie Harris, and you’ll get a fairly good idea of what’s going on in the ten cuts that comprise “Don’t Tear My Clothes.” One thing is for sure—it’s a stone party from the git-go! Peel plays the slacker part to the hilt on the leadoff cut, wanting to “live the life of ease, and Wear What I Please,” built around a sweet midtempo groove with Joel offering up a fine N’Awlins-style piano solo. Peel name-checks just ’bout every breed of dog on a cool cover of Elvin’s “My Dog,” who “don’t chase chickens, cats, or other women!” A good slow-blues is the story of a lover with a few screws loose, who gives our hero “No Time Off (For Good Behavior),” because “she wants me when I want her, and even when I don’t!” Speaking of slow-blues, the title cut is as good as it gets, with Steve’s lead lines gettin’ down ‘n’ dirty, while the females in the backing chorus really have a good time with this one, too! Peel has some “divorce issues” with an ex in the swingin’ stop-time boogie woogie of “Marry My Money again,” and closes the set with the ultimate kiss-off to all his naysayers, “!!!! Everybody,” and, trust us, it is NOT for the faint of heart or conservatives! Our favorites were easy. Mark Granville’s harp over Steve’s deep slide give a Delta-fied vibe to Peel’s declaration that he’s “The Boogie Man Of Love!” And, you can’t deny the danceable groove of “Shake Your Love Thang,” with a cool “Saturday Night Fish Fry” stamp on it! Blind Lemon Peel and “Don’t Tear My Clothes” keeps things fun, funky, and real. Infectious grooves, good slow-bluesers and a party attitude make this one not to be missed! Until next time…The Nashville Blues Society.
- Nashville Blues Society