Duluth’s Saltydog, formerly New Salty Dog, released its sophomore LP, Pepper, a few weeks ago, as they re-launched their seasonal residency at Bent Paddle Brewing Company.
Saltydog may be one of the youngest jam bands currently on Minnesota’s music scene, but the band has evolved in short time as the latest in a line of Minnesota-based jam bands with considerable song-writing and playing chops.
The band’s song-writing responsibilities fall chiefly upon the two Mahon brothers, Jacob and Owen.
Pepper wastes no time getting to the goods with the opening song, “You on Me.”
Owen Mahon, the band’s drummer, impressively delivers lead vocals on this and a number of songs of the album, while also keeping time.
“By a beach, in your car
It don’t matter where we are
Just as long as we can get together
As long as we can get loving, oh uh huh”
The song is tied together lovingly by Owen’s vocal delivery, keyboardist Gavin St. Clair’s watery notes, Calvin “Calzone” Lund’s funky bass work and Sam Deters’ twangy guitar phrasing.
The second song on the LP, “Barfly” is one that will be familiar to anyone that’s seen this band play at least a few times.
Guitarist Jacob Mahon (noted as “Curly J” on the album’s liner notes) delivers the vocals on this catchy, jammy tune that features a tasteful guitar solo and then some dual axe harmonization that reminds me of Minnesota jam legends The Big Wu.
“I used to be a cowboy,
I used to roam the wild west (it was the best)
I used to be a cowboy
I was full of the heart and full of the zest”
Lund said in a recent phone interview, most of which will be published as part of a separate story soon, that the mix on the physical LP for “Barfly” is different than what you’ll hear on Spotify or other streaming services. That’s because Andrew Stern, sound technician at Bent Paddle, gave some feedback after the album had been sent off to be printed. Stern also designed the back cover of the vinyl jacket, while artist Heidi Feroe did the front cover of the album.
“We tried out what he was mentioning,” said Lund, who also mastered the album. “It was solid. I couldn’t let it go. I was like, ‘We have to have this better version out there.’”
But changes were made only on “Barfly,” despite other tweaks that Lund might have made. He shared mixing duties on the album with Rich Mattson, owner of Sparta Sound, where the work was recorded.
Bryan “Lefty” Johnson’s bongo play sticks out on the third track, “Yeehaw,” a Western-themed song written and sung by Owen Mahon. The song writing shines on this track and helps put one foot of this band, known for delivering the funk, off into folk territory.
It’s just good storytelling.
“The rain came in before the break of day
But I had to pass a river to get my pay
The river was high and awfully wet
I knew my hand, I placed my bet”
Mahon fully commits to the character of this song.
“I wish I had made it out alive
Wish I had cared more before I died”
“Yeehaw” is already a regular staple of Salty Dog’s live performances, and fans will recognize it — many regulars at Saltydog’s Monday night residency already sing along.
Next up is “The Cleaning,” which is one of Jacob Mahon’s favorites on the LP. Those that love jam music will love this instrumental, which has already shown itself to be a jam vehicle in the live setting. The song goes 4:28 in the studio, but it’s been stretched a bit when played live.
Jacob Mahon leads vocals on “Rodeo,” the third song on the LP that brings to mind cowboys. It’s one of Lund’s favorite tunes on the album. It is a pretty laid back song with lyrics that are especially open to interpretation.
“I am a sucker for more somber tunes, and it gets me introspective,” Lund said. “It makes me really love these boys.”
Owen Mahon delivers the vocals on “Otis & Cher,” a funky love tale.
I might have led off this review with my favorite song on this album, “Farmer Norm,” but I didn’t want to make this review about me and my personal struggles. I’ll say, on that front, this song has helped me personally reframe some things in my mind. I’m grateful for this one, the seventh track on the album.
I think I had missed Saltydog playing this one live in the many times I’ve seen them perform the last few years, but it apparently recently made it into the rotation.
“Farmer Norm” puts everything together so well, an uplifting tale that seems to touch on depression (at least that’s my own interpretation), a comforting bass line, twangy guitar work, and organ-work that ties it all together.
“I don’t know if you’ll feel better
Talking about what you don’t do
Only you can change your weather
’Cause that weather won’t”
“Cindy Drives the Bus,” is a catchy, funky, bluesy number sung by Jacob Mahon.
He also sings on the chill album closer, “Who Put the Hat on the Hound.”
I love the vocal harmonization on this song, Lund’s bass play, and the delicate guitar play.
Go buy this album or stream it on any of the services. It’s available on CD or vinyl.