It isn’t easy to cover classics, but Edinburgh based Americana and country band The Chilli Dogs have been accomplishing it for years. They play mostly covers of classic tunes by songwriters like Woody Guthrie, Fats Domino, Sam Baker, and many others. Aside from their opening song ‘On a Roll... Again’ - which holds the same title as their album and show - their set is comprised entirely of familiar material from the Americana, blues, and country canon.
The band’s lineup is comprised of all the elements you would expect from a band playing Americana. Bass, guitar, and fiddle are front and centre, while harmonica, piano (occasionally accordion), and percussion in the form of a cajon give the songs a little more texture. These elements are all used well, many songs highlighting a particular instrument, allowing the members to show their chops. Everyone in the group is clearly an experienced musician, given their comfort with and ability to solo on the fly.
There did occasionally seem to be some confusion as to who was soloing when, which often led to a couple of members playing over each other until one realised the confusion and backed down. The Chilli Dogs also have the peculiar trait of having two harmonica players, which is rather rare. Given that harmonicas harmonise with themselves and the fluid way that harmonica players tend to treat rhythm when they play, having two in their group often caused the sound coming from ‘the wind section’ to be muddled and dull.
The groups strongest point truly is their singing, as three and four part harmonies are utilised extensively throughout the show. More than half of the members present take a turn on lead vocals over the course of the show, displaying the bands overall confidence not only in their ability to harmonise, but in each individual’s ability to lead. From songs about cigarettes, to train robberies, to murders and sorrows, each song is sung beautifully with lilting earnestness which gives the music its country personality.
The size and personality of the members in The Chilli Dogs gives the band a sense of family, which strongly endears them to the audience. Even though the material is largely not their own, and even though it may lead to some solo time waiting to be filled, they play some good-ole fashioned country with a comfort and ease which is charming and entertaining.
