Dudley Taft – Fire Horse
For the intense music this LP represents, the cover art is a little juvenile. I say this because the interior portraits of Dudley Taft in the 12pp lyric insert were exceptional for a cover. Alright, I got the criticism out of the way. Now onto what’s good about this.
Musically, the production is solid — a waterfall of guitar notes & nice deep thud-skinned drums. Nothing new is created, but the Cincinnati, Ohio guitarist does take what he understands & creates a signature soundscape. The big guitar conflations on “Warmup Song” are exactly that, but Dudley tightens the reins on “The Fire Inside,” far better with a combustive groove depth. A little more diligent, slowed down & kept heavy & bluesy. It’s a few steps away from hard rock, heavy metal & blues-rock, but it incorporates a little seasoning (grunge?) into those genres. The guitar keeps it steady, but when it’s let out of the cage, Dudley’s strings sizzle like a rattlesnake.
Drummer Nick Owsianka lays down precision drums that allow the guitar to marry up to the tenacious thud of his skins. An exciting performance with 11 dominating tunes for Chinese New Year 2026, which is the Fire Horse (Dropped Oct 30/American Blues Artist Group/45:39), produced by Dave Marks (bass/keys/percussion) & Dudley. His 10th LP, with pulsating songs, is spirited and sprays a definitive rhythm across its aggressive musical landscape. But…
There’s a style akin to Leslie West & Mountain & the late John Campbell, with weight that’s melodic while the energy takes it in red; it doesn’t blister the effort. Dudley’s vocals are always good, not as vividly signature as Leslie West, Steve Marriott, James Dewar, or Campbell, but he has sinewy vocal strength that keeps it raw & muscular. A good retro throw-back to an earlier time when radio played lots of West, Robin Trower & Humble Pie.
“She Loves Me” is slow with a Robin Trower-type dreamy guitar. But Mr. Taft sings it with a little too much “hairband” balladry accentuation. He should explore a more avant-garde or surreal approach to a slow blues (à la Trower’s “Song for a Dreamer,” with Procol Harum or his “About to Begin”). If this song is aimed at a blues audience, this won’t fly.
However, what develops resiliently is “One By One,” with its more rock-weave, sharp guitar notes, a powerfully jubilant piece. The bluesy lamentation of notes is impressive. “It Speaks To Me,” with Taft’s phrasing of “me,” is the song’s hook. Almost like Graham Parker (“Maneuvers”)
This is a good set of well-fortified blues rockers that exorcise a little nostalgia with a modern approach.
Highlights – “Warmup Song,” “The Fire Inside,” “Sleeping At the Wheel,” “I Raise a Glass To the Brave,” “One By One,” “It Speaks To Me.”
Musicians – Bennett Holland (keys) & Ashley Charmae (bgv).
B&W image from Taft’s lyric insert. CD @ iHeart & https://www.dudleytaft.com/