Big Daddy T – Judas Goat
Released August, 2018
Big Daddy T
https://artistecard.com/bigdaddyt
Earthtone Records
8 Tracks, 39 minutes
Influenced by a wide range of blues styles – ranging from 20’s jazz and country blues from the 30s, electric Chicago-style blues, and the electric blues rock of the first wave of English interpreters of the blues – bassist and vocalist Tony “Big Daddy T” Wisler has distilled it all to create a unique style of house-rockin’ blues that goes well beyond the expected 12-bar format. The result is an engaging repertoire of songs that beg – and withstand the scrutiny of – repeated listening.
Based in Southern California, Wisler has put together a 5-piece band that consists of Wisler leading the band on upright and electric bass and vocals, and backed by guitar, harmonica, keys, and drums. This album highlights 8 tracks, 7 of which were penned by Wisler, along with a cool Tom Waits track for seasoning. Additional musicians rounding-out the album performances include Billy Burke, Hector Barrera, and K.C. Igler on guitar, Johnny Pie on harmonica, Crystal Chavez on piano and vocals, Joe Chellman on drums, Joe DiFiore on clarinet, Stan Harrison on organ, D.A. McCormick on resonator guitar and vocals, and Chris Mulkey on recitation. The album was produced by Wisler, McCormick, Burke, and Ali Helnwein, with John Piechowski as Executive Producer.
About the album title: A Judas goat is a trained goat used in general animal herding. The Judas goat is trained to associate with sheep or cattle, leading them to a specific destination. In stockyards, a Judas goat will lead sheep to slaughter, while its own life is spared. Kind of dark, but an apt metaphor for a collection of tunes that have their own darkness about them
The album has a low-fi, warts-and-all feel to it, a refreshing respite from the over-production that sometimes accompanies records produced in the digital era. The opening track, “Let it Burn,” starts-off with an almost dirge-like cadence, but picks-up the tempo about half-way through to become a mid-tempo rocker. With the feeling of a “live” performance, it’s as if you’re right in the room with the band, and they’re firing on all cylinders.
“Nothing Left to Do (But Cry)” chugs along as a roots rocker, propelled by a pulsing rhythm section and some gritty slide, and accentuated by Johnny Pie’s greasy, electrified harmonica fills.
“Yesterday’s Dreams” has a soul inflection that serves as a somewhat “up” note in a collection of songs that is generally gritty and introspective.”Jockey Full of Bourbon” is Wisler’s take on a Tom Waits song off of his 1985 Rain Dogs album. Skipping Waits’ upbeat rhumba rhythm for a much more somber approach, it does justice to Waits’ esoteric lyrical approach.
“God’s Not Dead” makes you feel as if you’re in a 1920’s speakeasy, especially with the addition of Joe DiFiore’s lyrical clarinet accompaniment, and some sweet resonator fills, all in support of the lyrical message that can be summed-up as “You’re never gonna win, but it never hurts to try.” “Good-Time Jake” is the album’s house-rocker, and features some tasty guitar from Billy Burke.
The piano intro to “Simon Pure Labrick Blues” sounds like it originated in a post-Civil War Montana saloon, before morphing into something that might have found its way into Freddie King’s repertoire. The lyrics, however, tell a tale about the challenges of writing the perfect blues tune.
The title track, “Judas Goat,” is a dark, brooding, reverb-drenched blues-rock slog, featuring some gritty guitar work and Pie’s atmospheric harmonica work winding in and out.
All in all, Judas Goat is a very listenable collection of rootsy blues originals that have a very distinct personality, albeit one that tends to the darker, grittier side. The individual performances are solid, and serve the songs well. The production captures the raw energy of each performance, and the entire CD hangs together very nicely. If you prefer your roots and blues on the raw side, Tony Wisler’s latest might be just the thing you’re looking for!
Reviewer Dave Orban is a technology marketer by day, musician/artist/educator by night. Since 1998, Orban has fronted The Mojo Gypsies, based in the greater Philadelphia area. http://www.mojogypsies.com

Heard Lately #11: Big Daddy T-Judas Goat review

Steven Ovadia
Follow
Jul 21 · 4 min read
Haiku of contrition:
Thank you, Kirk Hammett.
You taught me about the blues.
You still play too fast.
________________________________________
Artist: Big Daddy T
Album: Judas Goat
Release date: August 1, 2018
________________________________________

The deal. Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, of all people, first drew my attention to the beauty of a nice, rickety blues. He started talking about it in guitar magazines, some time after The Black Album, and it stuck with me. A lot of the older, classic blues sides sound like everyone is somehow playing behind the beat, which creates a tension. Songs feel like they might fall apart at any moment. It feels as scary as a car with no driver. And it’s also exciting. Like watching a car with no driver. Once I read Hammett’s observation, I had the words to describe what separated classic blues from blues rock. And I understood that while tightness is great in rock and metal, there’s also a liberation in seeing the downbeat as just another object ahead in the distance and not a destination. Big Daddy T take a similar view on their debut, Judas Goat.
The songs have a wonderful ambient quality. You can hear the space of their recording studio. On “Nothing Left to Do But Cry,” the vocals sound like they’re coming from the next room, while the guitar is so up-front it practically makes the track shake. It winds up making you feel like you’re at a live show in a small club. I’m not sure if these were recording choices or production challenges, but it gives the track a timeless feel.
Bassist/singer Tony Wisler also has an interesting voice. It doesn’t have the god-like resonance of the blues masters. It’s thin but he manages to wring an impressive amount of emotion and commitment out of it. The vocals also tend to sit just a bit back in the mix, giving the impression that Wisler’s fighting to be heard. It usually works well, like on “Simon Pure Labrick Blues,” a 1960s style blues with some stinging guitar courtesy of Billy Burke and a sprinkling of piano from W. Micheal Lewis. It’s loose and fun.
Straight talk. The band covers a lot of bluesy styles. There’s “Jockey Full of Bourbon,” a Tom Waitts cover that’s prettier than the original, relying on an expansive bed of piano and a melody that nearly veers into Judaica. “God’s Not Dead” is a ragtime blues, also anchored by piano, but that also features a lead clarinet. The resulting tune is the score for a soulful and obviously imaginary Woody Allen movie. There’s not a signature song on the album. Even the sounds vary from track-to-track. The common, and delightful, thread is how locked in the band is. You can hear the personality of every instrument loud and clear, but it all fits together in a nice, warm way.
The confession. I got a bunch of older download links from a PR person. I always appreciate it when PR people keep pushing for an artist, even after their album has been released. A good album is still good after its release date. It’s sort of the reason for this site. So I don’t feel guilty about missing this one. I’m just happy to have found a cool band and hope I hear more from Big Daddy T.
Closing arguments. The publicity materials for the album include a quote from Wisler saying “We’re a band that loves the blues, but the blues don’t define us.” It’s a great way to explain what’s so enjoyable about this album. It’s not always blues structurally, but it’s got a blues-influenced looseness. The album has a lot of air, which makes it feel alive. Unfortunately, I don’t speak for Hammett, but I strongly suspect he’d like this album, too.
The pile

Big Daddy T - Judas Goat - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Judas Goat from Big Daddy T and it's interesting. Opening with Let It Burn, a contemporary take on Chicago blues, finds Tony (Big Daddy) Wisler on bass and lead vocal with nicely expressed harmonica work by Johnny Pie, electric guitar by Billy Burke, Hector Herrera and K.C. Igler, and drums by Joe Chellman. Cool opener. With a more traditional look on the blues Burke pulls out the slide and strokes some really nice work on Nothing Left To Do But Cry with Big Daddy on lead vocal. Very nice. A sultry Latin rhythm drives Jockey Full Of Bourbon with full organ support by Stan Harrison, solid vocals and snappy guitar lead. With New Orleans overtones, God's Not Dead features tight drum rhythms, piano lead by Crystal Chavez and nice clarinet soloing by Joe Di Fiore. Rocker, Good Time Jake has a quick pace and slick, country like guitar picking giving this track that special something. One of my favorites on the release is slower blues ballad, Simon Pure Labrick Blues with supple vocals, piano and soulful guitar lead. Rich harmonica work by Pie adds some really nice spice to an already cool track. Wrapping the release is title track, Judas Goat a cool, rhythmic blues track with wailing harp. I really like the airiness of the track with the heavy bass/drum bottom under Big Dady's vocals. Although not Alvin Lee's guitar work, this track puts me in mind of early TYA music which I really like. Excellent closer.

Big Daddy T will perform at the San Gabriel Mission Fiesta, to support their new realease, The Judas Goat. The show starts promptly at 7:30 PM Friday Aug. 31, 2018

Big Daddy T Blues Band was the opening act at the 3rd Annual Lawndale Blues and Jazz Music Festival in September 2015. They played a one hour set of blues music and other traditionals which engaged the crowd. These guys are fun to be around easy to work with and they clearly enjoy playing together. If you are looking for a band to play your event, you would be wise to consider Big Daddy T Blues Band. Contact me for a reference at mestes@lawndalecity.org.
Sincerely,
Mike Estes
Lawndale Community Services Department
City of Lawndale
(310) 973-3272

Lawndale Blues & Jazz Music Festival
by Jackie Balestra •
September 26, 2015

lawndale-blues-and-jazz-music-festivalThe third annual Lawndale Blues & Jazz Music Festival will take place at Jane Addams Park on Saturday, September 26.

Sponsored by the City of Lawndale, the Festival will showcase five different bands and musicians: Big Daddy T Blues Band, Awesome Blue, Floyd & the Flyboys, The Lawndale Blues Boys and J. Boykin.

The event begins at 1 p.m. and admission is free. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. Alcohol is prohibited. Food will be available for purchase from JCIN’s Backyard Grillin’ and Shabazz Seafood.

The event also features a Charity Car Show and KLOS radio station will be on site covering all the festivities live!

It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some great music with family, friends and neighbors in the heart of the South Bay!

For additional information, visit the website at http://www.lawndalecity.org/ or call (310) 973-3270 or via email at mestes@lawndalecity.org.

Jane Addams Park is located at 15114 Firmona Avenue in Lawndale.

 By Kaye Nicole

In the tradition of Babe N Ricky's comes DTLA's very own brand of "Soul Food".  Blue Beans N Rock & Roll is an open Mic Talent Showcase that offers Downtown LA residents a chance to showcase their talents along side established blues bands and veteran players....veteran blues band patriarchs Big Daddy T.