Doug Duffey And BADD
Souvenirs

By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © July 2026

If you're reading this opening paragraph and you feel like you're experiencing a Déjà vu, you are. With just a few necessary changes, it's pretty much how I opened my review of Ain't Goin' Back, the band's last release.....

Souvenirs is the fifth release from Doug Duffey And BADD, and the third of theirs that I'm having the pleasure of working with. Rather than explain to you how the band got its name, I'll just list the members in a particular order, highlight some letters, and let you figure it out yourself. BADD consists of: Ben Ford on bass; Adam Ryland on drums and percussion; Dan Sumner on guitars, bass, vocals and percussion; and the boss man, Doug Duffey on vocals and keyboards. For this project they are joined by Betsy Shirley, Naomi Holder, and The Sweet-N-Low-Sistas on vocals; Matt Morgan on mandolin; Mason Howard on accordion; Bob Dowell on trombone; Bert Windham and Coby Heath on trumpet; Nate Johnson on tenor saxophone; and Wes Rougeou on sousaphone. As with most everything they do, the disc's nine tracks are all originals penned by the Double D's. With their self-described music being "One hundred percent original Louisiana blues, Delta soul, R&B, Bayou funk, and Swampadelic", it's no wonder the likes of George Clinton, Funkadelic, Marcia Ball, Rare Earth, and others along that style of performers have turned to them for material.

The disc opens with a track that features Doug woefully describing what you're left with after you put everything you possibly can into a relationship and it still doesn't work out - a "Broken Heart And Empty Hand". With B A & D in a relaxed rhythm groove on the bass, drums and keys respectively, Dan's guitar leads highlight this one.

"Bad Luck" is another track that features the nucleus of the band doing their thing with great music and vocals. With his water and gas lines busted; his air conditioner getting stolen; his pick-up truck breaking down; a pine tree falling on his house - then catching on fire; Doug's woes just keep on coming. Musically, with the usually tight rhythm going on behind them, the Double Ds are killing it on the keyboard and guitar leads.

"Axe Jes Rite" is a lesson on how to obtain something you might not necessarily had gotten in the first place. For example, Doug knows a gal who swears she won't, but he thinks she will - because he knows how to "axe her jes rite". He also knows a man who runs a moonshine still who says he don't sell none but Doug knows he will - if you "axe him jes rite". Sometimes he himself won't, but then again, maybe he will - if you "axe him jes rite". Simply said, it's all a matter of how you axe for sumtin'.

"Love Song" is a fun uplifting, smile inducing, sing-a-long that features BADD doing their best interpretation of a song you might hear coming out of a honky-tonk in the French Quarter that just stops you in your tracks and pulls you right in.....to sing-a-long with, of course. Nicely done number.

The title track tells a melancholic tale of mentally preparing yourself for life's final journey and having to leave behind all of the treasures, artifacts, sacred objects and precious "Souvenirs" you've acquired over the years. Musically, Doug on keys, Dan on guitar, and special guest Matt Morgan on mandolin are absolutely masterful together.

The disc closes with a song titled "Don't Let The Darkness In". If you've ever witnessed a Mardi Gras parade, or spent some time at the Saint James Infirmary, be prepared to be taken back to N'awlins when the five piece horn section on this one heats up. Other tracks on yet another outstanding release from Doug Duffey And BADD include: "Better By Me"; "Delta Melody"; and "Sinking Into the Blues".

Find out more about Doug Duffey And BADD, just go to - www.dougduffeyandbadd.com. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you. Also, you might just want to congratulate Doug Duffey on his Delta Music Museum's Hall of Fame; National Blues and Louisiana Halls of Fame; and Northeast Louisiana Music Hall of Fame inductions as well.