Marty “Big Dog” Mercer

Big Dog Mercer

Electro Glide Records

By Geoff Trubow

            Marty “Big Dog” Mercer has been playing around Chicago for over ten years and has recently released his latest, self-titled, CD.  The majority of the record was recorded live in the studio and it certainly captures that feel in an incredibly unique way.  Mercer, who wrote the entire ten songs, adeptly handles all the guitar and vocal duties along with Bobby Scumaci on keyboards, Larry Ortega on drums and both John Huet and Doug Horan sharing the bass chores.

            The album opens rapidly enough with Big Dog’s Blues complimented by some boogie woogie piano and is followed by one of the standout tracks, Stickin’ Pins Into Me.  Mercer switches up his bluesy mode into a quick funk style which succeeds on that level as does the next tune, Wimmen Trouble, in which he slows things down with a tough feel and some very nice wah-wah pedal work on the first solo. 

            A little over midway through the record, we find the band running through the lone instrumental, Prelude. This song reflects Mercer’s vocals which are very much like his guitar playing, melodic, yet appropriately gruff at the opportune moments.

            The record completes a fine journey with the gospel influenced Thank You, Jesus, complete with Scumaci’s Hammond B3 and more of Mercer’s contemplative solos.

            Big Dog’s Blues is an unyielding endeavor from start to finish.  It is primarily a heavy album, without being heavy-handed.  Mercer and his more than capable band have put together a piece of work that ought to be noted as one of the top local blues records of the past year.  It should be interesting to see what they come up with next. 

For more info on Big Dog: www.bigdogmercer.com

 http://www.electrogliderecords.com/fr_home.cfm

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