Blues Review: Billy Price - Dog Eat Dog

Score: 78
Release Date: August 2, 2019

Genre: blues

Similar Artists:  Johnny Lang, Robert Cray

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Living Soul Blues legend, Billy Price and the Billy Price Band are back with their second album in as many years. Put Billy Price on your list of seasoned musicians who save their best work for last and refuse to go gentle into that good night. After looking at the album cover featuring Mr. Price strutting down the street with a lean, mean Doberman on a leash and a first listen to these twelve tracks, you’ll realize this man has found artistic liberty born from nothing left to prove and nothing left to lose. 

Collaborating with producer Kid Andersen and longtime guitarist Mike Zito, Billy Price’s Dog Eat Dog is destined to follow the path of 2018’s Reckoning and end up on many yearly “best-of” lists. 

With Anderson’s signature sharp and choppy blues guitar licks, The Billy Price Band has the blues covered. Add a blend of measured horns and a deep bass groove to the mix, and the vibe takes a turn to jazz and funk. Price’s soulful voice guides the listener to another place altogether. The end result is a sound that will feel familiar, yet not derived, well-crafted, and comfortable, yet not cliché’. 

In several of the finer moments on Dog Eat Dog, Price’s guitar pierces a note which fills the air like a car slamming on its brakes. Then, he allows the listener to catch their breath, before pulling forward with a soulful riff and slow-riding through the city streets.   

On songs such as “Lose My Number” and “My Love Will Never Die,” Billy Price resists the urge to step in front of the groove. Instead, he knows he’s in the thick of it and rides it to its natural conclusion. “Same Old Heartaches” combines the soul, blues, and jazz elements with smoothest of smooth harmonies reminiscent of the Temptations or Spinners. 

Like many excellent records, it is difficult to put a label on it. Dog Eat Dog is no exception. Call it Blues, call it soul, call it R&B. I prefer to call it a damn good record.  

- Tom Endyke | Guitar & Pen