Marty “Big Dog” Mercer has been playing around Chicago for over ten years and has recently released his latest, self-titled, CD. The majority of the record was recorded live in the studio and it certainly captures that feel in an incredibly unique way. Mercer, who wrote the entire ten songs, adeptly handles all the guitar and vocal duties along with Bobby Scumaci on keyboards, Larry Ortega on drums and both John Huet and Doug Horan sharing the bass chores.

The album opens rapidly enough with Big Dog’s Blues complimented by some boogie woogie piano and is followed by one of the standout tracks, Stickin’ Pins Into Me. Mercer switches up his bluesy mode into a quick funk style which succeeds on that level as does the next tune, Wimmen Trouble, in which he slows things down with a tough feel and some very nice wah-wah pedal work on the first solo.

A little over midway through the record, we find the band running through the lone instrumental, Prelude. This song reflects Mercer’s vocals which are very much like his guitar playing, melodic, yet appropriately gruff at the opportune moments.

The record completes a fine journey with the gospel influenced Thank You, Jesus, complete with Scumaci’s Hammond B3 and more of Mercer’s contemplative solos.

Big Dog’s Blues is an unyielding endeavor from start to finish. It is primarily a heavy album, without being heavy-handed. Mercer and his more than capable band have put together a piece of work that ought to be noted as one of the top local blues records of the past year. It should be interesting to see what they come up with next.

Geoff Trubow
Chicago Blues Guide
2/14/12

          "Big Dog Mercer has come a long way—literally and figuratively—
          to make an impact on the blues scene south and west of Chicago.
          He’s at his best when he writes and sings honestly about his personal experiences.
          The trick to being original is to digest all of one’s influences and create something new.
          Big Dog Mercer shows he’s capable of that.
          So long as Big Dog continues working hard at his playing and songwriting, there’s no telling how good he’ll get."

          Ted Slowik

 

 

  "His music unmistakably exposes his Chicago blues, rock, jazz and gospel influences

both in his gritty soulful vocals and the notes he wrings from his left handed custom Java guitar.
The new album runs the scale from up-tempo shuffles as on “Big Dog Blues” to the excellent gospel tinged “Thank You Jesus”
and the southern rock styling of “Helpless”. "

Dave Rodriguez Chicago Examiner.com           

          

          
 

   Electro Glide Records is a Chicago based independent blues label.
By releasing the compilation CD "The Blues, An Evolution" they want to bring four of their artists under the attention.
The album consists of twelve songs and each of these artists provide three of them.

The kick-off is done by Marty 'Big Dog' Mercer.
A fine guitar player with a voice that shows raw emotion.
"Some Other Fool" is a solid rocking blues with fine guitar work.
The second song is the sad "Helpless", where especially the voice brings on the emotion.
"Big Dog Blues" is rougher.
Unexpected tempo changes and a cool slide solo finishes it off.

          
          Eric Campfens - http://barnowlblues.punt.nl    

 

   "In the blue city of Chicago, Delmark and Alligator remain above the leading specialized labels.
The independent label Electro Glide has been operating for some time in the shade of the big brothers and does not without merit, witness this sampler.
At a first anthology of the artist file Electro Glide we meet some "heavyweights" in the best blues-rock genre that every few songs from their recent repertoire suggestions.

Big Dog Mercer manifests his solo debut with powerful vocals and aggressive slide work inspired by the rocking sound of the Windy City as a ferocious barking dog that typically do not forget to bite."

Cis Van Looy
http://www.keysandchords.com/6/post/2011/12/va-the-blues-an-evolution.html           
 

 

Big Dog Mercer's Chicago blues is filled with many variants.
In the extremely heavy tampers with the title "Some Other Fool" impressed the man by a deep,
emotional voice and a very successful, long guitar solo that can be described 'diverse' with the predicate.
"Helpless" is going much airier and this is where the interests of Southern (rock) Mercer.
The composition is located in the mid-tempo, and lo and behold,
he can use his voice even softer and suddenly the piece bends in the middle part from a jazz avenue. Damn, that really impressed.
Beautiful bends in the second solo guitar tones from the speakers.
With "Big Dog Blues", he served us the blues rock in a very pleasant way,with a great groove.

Joachim "Joe"" Brookes 
Germany
http://www.rocktimes.de/gesamt/c/compilations/the_blues_an_evolution.html
 

Illinois native Big Dog Mercer kicks things off with a gritty blues-rock kiss-off song, telling his no-good lover to find “Some Other Fool” to take his place. “Helpless” takes a look at the power of addictions, while the “Big Dog Blues” reminds his lover who the Alpha dog is!

Sheryl and Don Crow, Nashville Blues Society

After listening to this album, I had only one thought on my mind: where can I find more of this music.

“Big Dog Blues” is Big Dog Mercer at his best.
The song erupts into a guitar fest that makes you want to pull on some dancing boots and kick around the floor awhile.
The arrangements and melodies are on fire.
Mercer captures the soul of electrified blues with smokin’ style and leaves you wanting more.
Using his ability for slide work that grabs you by the hair and soulful vocals, this piece is only the tip of the iceberg where this artist is concerned.

Dana Wright-Muzikreviews.com Staff