Rude Dog pretty much sums it up in the liner notes to his album, BAPTISM IN BLUE. "This CD was recorded as a tribute to the many musicians that have influenced my playing over the years. These are the men that brought me down to the water and baptized me in the blues."

Most people will be familiar  with the artists and the songs that Rude has chosen to cover. From people like Mississippi Fred McDowell, Elmore James and Slim Harpo, to more modern interpreters like the Rolling Stones, J. J. Cale and Paul Butterfield, its all tightly played and well executed with an emphasis on personal interpretation.

Armed with a guitar, bottleneck slide and a Dobro, Rude Dog and friends take you through a short history of the blues with tunes that run the gamut from the old like Howlin Wolf's, Who's Been Talkin' to the not so old, Moon Martin's Cadillac Walk. Rude Dog gets lots of help from the local blues community, with an appearance from the Nighthawks front man, Mark Wenner, who blows his usual mean harp on the Junior Wells tune, Kansas City Blues. Other folks helping out include Linwood Taylor and Automatic Slim along with 16 other sidemen who provide rock steady backing and help keep the sound varied throughout.

Originally from Chicago, Rude Dog has an obvious affinity for the sound of that city and it shows on Baptism In Blue, with that classic sound scattered about the album. Rude uses a variety of vintage instruments, so his sound at times has the quality of an old recording, very authentic and gritty. He is a capable guitarist with a range of styles. From the slow groove wah-wah on River Runs Deep to the delta slide sound of You Got To Move,  and the country blues of No Expectations, Rude puts his own twist to the songs and the results are a very listenable collection of oft covered tunes. Spirited and enthusiastic, it's one man's endeavor to spread the word about the music he loves.

A side note: Rude Dog (A.K.A. Rudy Strukoff) is slowly and quietly building a small blues empire in Baltimore. As founder and president of LaChica Records, he has given a home to some great players that otherwise might have a chance to get their music widely heard.

Michael Macey

Chesapeake Music Guide

November 2005