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A 20+ yr. veteran of the So. Calif. Blues and Rock scene; Paul Cummins was one of the four Finalists in the 1997 Fender Blues Guitar Competition invited to the 1st Annual Fender Blues Festival on Catalina Island; where he had the chance to jam with the likes of Jimmy Vaughn, Spencer Davis, and Carmine Appice.
That weekend proved fruitful; as it led to numerous appearances on local television, and the offer to tour nationally with Chuck Berry as the guitarist of his backup band.
Although he formed Paul Cummins and the Lion Dogs in 1999, Doug Dalley and Bob Buchler (bass and drums, respectively) have both been long time friends and past bandmates. Doug was in the last band Paul was- a popular nine piece show band "Film at Eleven"; and Bob and Paul go back all the way to 1967. Together, the three of them form an extremely tight unit; pouring out energy and emotion by the bucketfulls, and put on one heck of a show.
Their debut CD "Bluteus Maximus" is currently being played by FM radio stations across the U.S., Europe, and South America; and the follow up record is slated for a late Spring '04 release.
Catch them live at many of Southern California's better venues. |
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http://www.thelamusicscene.com/articles/00074/index.php3
L.A. High Society Rocks Rusty's in Santa Monica
by Peter G. Lancellotti
Paul Cummins and the Lion Dogs closed the evening with a sanguine and humorous performance of blues and R&B, which included cover songs and original material. Cummins joins the L.A. High Society ranks of musicians bringing with him over thirty years of experience in the industry. Born in New York and growing up in southern California from his teen years forward, Cummins has a richly vibrant and engaging history of musical abilities. He also has a myriad of captivating anecdotes to share about his musical life.
But this night at Rusty's, from jazzy swing shuffle to back porch acoustics, then round to slinky swamp blues and raspy vocals, Paul Cummins and the Lion Dogs got many women in the audience onto the dance floor during their set.
Cummins has such a long list of accomplishments it would be difficult to name them all here. To highlight a few, he was a finalist in the Fender Blues Guitar Competition in 1997 and went on to attend the 1st Annual Fender Blues Festival on Catalina Island. He's played with the likes of Chuck Berry, the recent MP3 Blues All-Stars Project consisting of musicians all over North America - Roy Cox, Ric Arra, Stik, Warren Von Kruck, Jack Falk and Dale Smallin (that laugh at the beginning of "Wipe Out") just to name a few.
In September 1999, Cummins released his original song "The Hookman" which gives us a sassy sound of the classic blues-rock genre. It has a sort of long-cool-woman-in-a-black-dress feel from 70's band The Hollies with a neoteric slant.
Overall, Cummins has a fabulously smooth guitar style...
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The Rob Report
http://www.mp3aa.com/the_rob_report.htm
Greasy and bluesy guitars guide the listener into "The Hookman". One might think they are listening to a "revived" 90's version of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Smooth vocals and the ever present twang of guitars trading off tasty solos create a calm, down-homey feeling. "The Hookman", though wonderfully performed, is much too short. Weighing in at 3:25, there's much more room to play around and showcase more of the smooth vocals and gritty guitars. I betcha that's exactly what they do in a live show!
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http://www.mp3reviews.com
Paul Cummins and the Lion Dogs
Reminiscent of all that is good and sorely missedfrom 60's bluesy classic rock, The Hookman delivers with the best of them. The tempo is easy and consistent, like a jukebox favorite selected by the local barfly to go along with his last call drink. Paul Cummins' voice pays tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, with excellent results that compliment the smooth guitar sound. This would be perfect for a Robert Rodriguez movie. The lyrics are supposed to recall an old campfire horror story, but the Hookman seems more like a good ole' American ladies man, a drinking man, a hardworking man. Check this one out! It has dominated the blues chart at Mp3.com for over three months!!!
Vanessa
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www.Listen.com
A time machine throwback: Picture perfect late-60's electric blues rock. There's a little CCR thrown into their Canned Heat but The Lion Dogs can also lay out a blues ballad with class.
Nick
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AudioGalaxy.com
'60s style blues rock done right. Cummins can play. Think Canned Heat if the high pitched guy was replaced by John Mayall. |
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Location:
West Covina CA, USA
Paul Cummins Website
bloozplyr@yahoo.com
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