TYLA’S DOGS D’AMOUR - ‘Straight Up 2020’

The music in question was the final mixes of ‘Straight Up 2020’, a re-working of the Dogs D’Amour ‘Straight’ album, which had been presented in alphabetical order by a file transfer system before being sent for mastering and had triggered the question – “Would it work if we put it out in alphabetical order?”  

After COVID-19 this change to the natural order of music may be too much for some long-term Dogs’ fans or music purists in general whose enjoyment of an album lies in the reassurance, familiarity and anticipation of knowing what note will follow as each song reaches it’s climax before leading into the next. And given how much angst, time and thought can go into getting the perfect track order for an album, it was a brave decision to consider changing this simply by chance. But for Tyla, who is known for his liking of a flutter on the horses and not being overly worried about what’s gone before or what people might think, this was a gamble well worth taking. The change to the running order is nothing short of inspiring and has breathed new life into this album. In simple terms it’s changed an album I’d listen to in order to go back to then, to an album I’d listen to for now. It’s also started me wondering what other artists and albums would benefit from alphabetising – a bit like Fantasy Football for sad music geeks. 

To be honest, I’m not usually a great fan of re-imagined albums. Some other acts’ attempts at this in recent years have left me cold with the feeling that the original material would have been much better left untouched. But with Tyla it’s generally different as for much of his career he has recorded most of his material both with a full band and acoustically, with different versions of songs being the norm for him. Even still, there are risks to tinkering with classics such as ‘Heroine’, Victims of Success’ and ‘Kiss My Heart Goodbye’.  

Speaking in an interview with Rockfiend earlier this year, when asked what motivates him to go back and re-record old material in addition to turning out a very high rate of new albums he was characteristically honest – “Money!”. Like too many bands in the past, the Dogs D’Amour signed a contract which resulted in little money reaching the band. But despite his bluntness, it’s clear from the level of his output (often sent through late at night) that Tyla can’t sit still and has to be continually experimenting with music, art and spoken word – old and new. 

 Going back to the original, ‘Straight’ was the Dogs D’Amour’s fifth studio album. It was originally released in 1990 and was the last Dogs’ album to be recorded by what many fans consider to be the classic line-up of Tyla, Steve James, Jo Dog and Bam before they split up. It was also their most expensive album, costing £200,000 to record - no small sum at the time. 

As good a song as ‘Cardboard Town’ was as the original opener with it’s “For what you are about to receive” spoken intro, the re-recorded version of ‘Back on the Juice’ is, to me, a much stronger album opener as it is here on the 2020 update. It presents an in your face statement of intent and what is to follow with more of a Stones swagger than the original – a recurring theme throughout with Tyla’s increased Keith Richards’ influenced open tunings. 

Due to the re-ordering the original opener, ‘Cardboard Town’, follows next back to back with ‘Chiva’ plucked from it’s established place towards the end of the original. ‘Empty World’ 2020-style is transformed into a very different, but yet familiar, full band electric version which would have worked as an ‘In Vino Veritas’ original before leading into ‘Evil’ and a broodier and bluesier ‘Flying Solo’. ‘Gypsy Blood’ starts off a fantastic 3 song run completed by ‘Heroine’ and ‘Kiss My Heart Goodbye’ bringing together songs which feel and sound as though they should have always been played together. Drawing to a close ‘Lie in This Land’ leads into ‘Victims of Success’ and a stunning version of ‘You Can’t Burn The Devil’. Could there be a better named closing song to a rock album? Comparing the two albums there is much that is familiar and much that is new, rewarding repeated listening with added enjoyment and appreciation. Much has changed since the original was recorded. The Dogs as we knew them split up. Tyla has kept going on his musical journey through life and in recent years has established a group of really talented musicians initially in the form of the Tyla J. Pallas Band and more recently adopting their current name of Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour who deserve much credit in their own right. As fans have come to expect the playing is solid and tight throughout. And comparing the two albums, it’s clear that Tyla’s voice has changed (or maybe his balls have just dropped) developing into and sounding like a wine-soaked Johnny Cash playing and singing the blues in hell. 

The core band of Tyla, Gary, Matty and Si are supplemented by the fifth sometime member of Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour, Scott Mulvey on piano, providing some very tasty keys on ‘Back on the Juice’ and ‘Cardboard Town’. But the Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour family has another unofficial member who deserves much credit - their Edinburgh-based producer and mixer, Jamie Turnbull, who has done an outstanding job here. Listening to the final mixes for the first time, the first thing which grabbed me was the production. The drum sound is massive and for the audiophiles out there the warmth, depth and separation in the sound has to be heard to be fully appreciated. Jamie has worked with the band for some time, but it was his work on ‘In Vino Veritas’ which really grabbed my attention, followed by similar quality of work on ‘Jack O’Byte Bluesy’. Here, he has raised the bar even higher and in him Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour have found that lucky thing – a producer who grows with them, gets and understands what they are doing and pulls out and complements their performance - in the process producing something which sounds great even through crap speakers. Developments in technology aside, this is better produced than the original and at a fraction of the price. Hold on to him. 

What has been achieved here is not easy – to take an album that many know, love and remember in their younger days and to update it in a way that is faithful to the original, but builds on it and enriches it so that this is more of an album for grown-ups and which has much to offer both new and old fans alike.  

Being honest, the Dogs D’Amour have divided rock fans and to some were a band to love or hate. There wasn’t much middle ground and they were (wrongly, in my opinion) dismissed by many fans of heavier, harder or more mainstream rock as being trashy. Yes, they had the image and they led the debauched lifestyle to match any, but what separated them out from so many (predominantly LA) bands was their songs which form a bond with your heart and don’t let go. Tyla has to be one of the most under-recognised songwriters in rock music and the fact that these songs originally written and recorded 30 years ago sound so fresh and current in 2020 is testament to his ability. As an album this deserves to be tried and listened to by rock fans of all ages and genres. You might just discover a new love … even if it is in alphabetical order. 

And, as fans will be aware, Tyla’s been having a few health issues recently. Get well soon you old Dog.  

 

‘Straight Up 2020’ will be released on Halloween, 31 October 2020, on King Outlaw records on CD and digital download. The CD will be released in two editions – the Tavern Edition (numbered and signed by Tyla) which can be pre-ordered from www.tylasarttavern.com

Home - Tyla's Art Tavern

Official online shop of Tyla J. Pallas. Musician, artist and head honcho of The Dogs D'Amour. Art, CDs, Vinyls, T-shirts and more.

www.tylasarttavern.com

The normal, unsigned and unnumbered, version will be available in the shops. ‘Straight Up 2020’ will also be released at a later date on vinyl (probably around March or April 2021 due to the worldwide delays with vinyl pressing plants due to COVID).