Dog Talk fuses musical styles
into unique sound
Carmelfest, 1996
by Patricia U. White

If you missed Dog Talk last year, don't make the same mistake again.

Dog Talk opens Carmelfest '96 with the second annual street dance at the Gazebo on Wednesday, July 3.

"We're really tickled to be back in Carmel. It was really lots of fun last year and lots of people came," says Michael Beck.

"We had a big conga line last year," he said, "and we're hoping to do it again this year."

Getting everyone from toddlers to grandpas up on their feet voluntarily--just because it's so much fun--is defintely a big part of the Dog Talk experience.

Long conga lines form everywhere Dog Talk plays, Beck said. "Hot! Hot! Hot!"--another Caribbean number the band performs--is also sure to get the audience moving.

But this year the big hit may be the Twiddle. Yep, the Twiddle.

"It's a fun dance we made up," said Beck.

"It's definitely a Dog Talk-style line dance," Beck said. "Cliff (White) has a fun, interactive thing with the crowd."

"I'd love to see the whole place dancing," he said. "The more people who jam with us, the more it gets us going and turns into a street dance, especially for a family gig outdoors."

During the summer, Dog Talk stays close to home playing all kinds of venues. The rest of the year they play in Illinois and Michigan and may soon be playing in Chicago.

"It's funny because we appeal to all ages, playing for kids at the Children's Museum to Woodland Country Club, from playing rock and jazz to corporate work and the 500 Ball."

Children and parents can look forward again to digging stuff from the toy box filled with all kinds of instruments for playing along with the band.

If you want a Dog Talk preview before July 3, check out the band June 28 and 29 at Mickey's Irish Pub, located at 136th and Meridian.

Jim Litchfield, a Westfield resident and an original member of the band, left the band briefly and is now back.

"Nobody sounds quite like Jim," said Beck.

All the members of band write different types of music. Lancton writes the Brazilian jazz style and Fortney in the Supertramp vein. Beck creates the wacky, crazy songs.

"When we put it all into a whole unit, it becomes a Dog Talk thing," Beck said.

The street dance July 3 is definitely meant to draw families to the Gazebo for a good time--if not for dancing around the lawn.

Bet you can't stay still. You, too, may just become a Mambo Doggie, what thousands of regional Dog Talk fans call themselves.