Doug Duffey And Badd

Doug Duffey And Badd – Ain’t Goin’ Back

Fort Sumner Music
Publicity: Blind Raccoon

By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © July 2024

Ain’t Goin’ Back is the fourth release from Doug Duffey And BADD, and the second 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; Dan Summer on guitars, electric and acoustic bass, percussion, vocals and trumpet; and the boss man, Doug Duffey on vocals and keyboards. For this project they are joined by Dave P. Moore, a.k.a. “P-Mo”, on harmonica; Jonathan Patterson, a.k.a. “J-Pat” on trombone; and Bert Windham on trumpet. As with most everything they do, the disc’s twelve tracks are all originals penned by the Double D’s. Describing their style of music as “100% 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.

One of the things that most impressed me about this album was its masterful songwriting and the lyrics on the disc’s opening track will attest to that. The song is titled “Whirlpool”, and I’m going on record as calling it the ‘national anthem for insomniacs’. If, like Doug – and many millions of others – you’ve laid in bed on many a sleepless night with thoughts just swimming around inside your head, you’ll easily relate to this one. Perhaps, instead of counting sheep while lying awake, we all may now have a uniform song to sing. Now that’s what you call a harmony section.

Now that I’ve listened to “You Got What It Takes”, I think I’m as confused as Doug might be. From what I’m hearing, he may be wondering – I know I am – if a woman who’s got what it takes to take everything you got is a good thing or a bad thing? Lines like this certainly don’t help:
“Baby how you move it; baby, baby how you sway.
When you shake it on down; when you shake it all the way.
Honey you can make a man crazy; baby you can make a man insane.
Keep him so mixed up and hazy; just like a drug in his brain.”
Do you want some of that or not? Besides his great vocal work, with his killer organ leads Doug sets the tone for the rich rhythm groove the guys are in; and guitar wise, Dan’s rhythm runs and are as strong as his leads. Excellent track.

With Adam and Ben in subtle rhythm groove behind them, this one is all about Doug and Dan singing and playing their hearts out. The song is called “The Wishing Game” and the emotional and melancholic lyrics tell the sad tale of someone loving someone who loves someone who doesn’t love them. Everyone’s wishing and no one is winning. Unquestionably, some of the disc’s best vocals and guitar work are going on right here.

Musically and vocally, “Front Porch Blues”, is a similarly melancholic but masterful track. The song is about a man sitting on his front porch watching life go on around him, while comfortable with not going anywhere. Knowing he probably hasn’t much time left, he finds himself wishing the gentle breeze that’s blowing will just keep on blowing until it blows his blues away. Speaking of blowing the blues away, “P-Mo” is doing just that with his fabulous harmonica work.

Although they don’t do it often, they do do it well. On a smoker called “No Mercy”, BADD flat out gets bad ass. That said, it kind of goes without saying that Adam and Ben are at their rockin’ best on the drums and bass, respectively; Although not needed, Doug’s giving them a lot of extra support with pounding piano leads; and Dan, is as about as ruthless on the guitar as he’s been yet.

“Well I’m sitting outside the station, an open ticket in my hand. Yeah, I’m sittin’ outside the station, an open ticket in my hand.I got no real destination, I’m searchin’ for the “Promised Land. I got no real destination, I’m searchin’ for the promised land.”
Sounds to me like Doug is about to eventually have that question about the grass being greener on the other side answered.

The disc closes with the title track, “Ain’t Goin’ Back”. It’s another of many tracks that feature what is obviously BADD’s patented sound – smooth and easy rhythm behind well sung and well written lyrics, that are accompanied by amazing acoustic and electric guitar work.

Other tracks on this excellent release are: “Rock It All Night”; “Get ‘er Outa Yo Head”; “Turn It Around”; and “Gallus Pole”.

Find out more about Doug Duffey And BADD, just go to their Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063681722740. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.