At age 16, Doyle Bramhall II toured with Jimmie Vaughan's band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, as second guitarist. In 1992 Doyle formed Arc Angels with Charlie Sexton and Stevie Ray Vaughan's rhythm section of bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton (also known as Double Trouble). Doyle became Eric Clapton's second guitarist in 2004 after Andy Fairweather-Low backed out of the tour. He left Clapton's band in 2009 to reform Arc Angels.
"Doyle Bramhall II was raised in a home filled with the blues and rock and roll sounds that are indigenous to his birthplace - Austin, Texas. His father, Doyle Bramhall Senior, was the drummer for blues legend Lightning Hopkins and a regular collaborator with Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
When Doyle was 16 years old, he toured as second guitarist with Jimmy Vaughan's band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Shortly thereafter he and fellow Texan, Charlie Sexton, co-founded the rock band Arc Angels. Doyle and Charlie enlisted the rhythm section from Stevie Ray Vaughan's backing band, Double Trouble, to complete the lineup. The group enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success.
Following the release of "Jellycream," Doyle's 1999 RCA debut recording, he received phone calls from both Roger Waters and Eric Clapton. Doyle ended up joining Roger Waters for a summer tour while Clapton, along with fellow blues great B.B. King, chose two of Doyle's songs - "Marry You" and "I Wanna Be" - for their collaborative recording entitled "Riding With The King." Upon completion of the "Riding..." project, Doyle, his wife - Susannah Melvoin, and Clapton co-wrote and performed "Superman Inside" for Clapton's album, "Reptile." Doyle's playing is also heavily featured on the album.
The latest offering from Doyle Bramhall II, entitled - "Welcome" - is the purest sampling of Doyle's talents to date. Doyle entered the studio with Smokestack, the band he put together a couple of years ago, and co-producers Benmont Tench and Jim Scott to record the 12 - song set. Joining Doyle in Smokestack is J.J. Johnson on drums and bassist Chris Bruce. Susannah Melvoin contributed background vocals, Benmont Tench pulled keyboard duty and Craig Ross played second guitar.
The album, "Welcome" showcases the diversity of Bramhall's talent; from his songwriting to his intense, soulful vocals and virtuoso guitar playing. Doyle's gravity explosion can be readily heard on such tracks as the driving "Green Light Girl" and the uptempo "Soul Shaker." His dedication to the blues can be felt on tracks like "Life," "So You Want It To Rain" and "Send Some Love."
Doyle and his band are set to open for Eric Clapton on the first leg of a worldwide tour this year".
Official Site
The Veil
Doyle Bramhall II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, she said nothing was wrong
She fooled me and she broke me
All she gave me was blame
And the silence I overcame
You didn't share no love
But did you really want love
I never seen her kind
She hurt me, she shamed me
Always keeping me down
You make a man live so small
Like a little rag doll
You can bet she'll take it all
Evil
Always behind the veil
Nobody knows how far you'll go
Evil
Don't you follow your mama baby
Evil better look away
Emancipating my soul
Lord I let I go in alone
You know
My gratitude for grace
Ain't gonna waste another moment
Evil
A soldier there is falling down
Why did you send him to the front line?
Evil
Don't have to be fighting baby
The open door is
Evil
you know I got the fix
Ecclesiastes 7-2-6
Evil baby
Under the veil
Evil turn it away
The lyrics of Doyle Bramhall II's song The Veil talk about the singer's experience with a woman who fooled him and broke him. She blamed him for everything, and he overcame her silence. The woman did not share any love, and the singer questions whether she ever wanted love. She hurts and shames the singer, making him feel small like a rag doll. She takes everything from him and is always behind the veil of evil. The singer's soul is emancipated, and he is grateful for grace. He does not want to waste any more time on evil and wants to turn away from it, just like he wishes a soldier who fell on the frontline didn't have to fight. He refers to the bible verse Ecclesiastes 7-2-6, which talks about the betterment of a good name over perfume.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember the day of the reckoning
I recall the day when I was held accountable for something I did
Oh, she said nothing was wrong
She denied anything was amiss
She fooled me and she broke me
She tricked and devastated me
All she gave me was blame
She assigned me with all the wrongdoing
And the silence I overcame
I pushed through the absence of sound
You didn't share no love
You didn't impart any affection
But did you really want love
However, did you genuinely desire love?
I never seen her kind
I've never encountered someone like her before
Taking love into the ground
Destroying any feelings of love
She hurt me, she shamed me
She caused me pain and humiliation
Always keeping me down
Always suppressing me
You make a man live so small
You diminish a man's existence
Like a little rag doll
Comparing him to a thin and lifeless toy
You can bet she'll take it all
You can be certain she will take everything
Evil
Malevolent in nature
Always behind the veil
Always hidden from sight
Nobody knows how far you'll go
No one knows your limits
Evil
Malevolent in nature
Don't you follow your mama baby
Don't follow her lead
Evil better look away
Evil better avert its gaze
Emancipating my soul
Freeing my spirit
Lord I let I go in alone
Lord, I embarked on the journey by myself
You know
You understand
My gratitude for grace
My thankfulness for mercy
Ain't gonna waste another moment
I won't squander another instant
Evil
Malevolent in nature
A soldier there is falling down
A warrior is losing the fight
Why did you send him to the front line?
Why did you put him in harm's way?
Evil
Malevolent in nature
Don't have to be fighting baby
You don't have to engage in battle
The open door is
The opportunity is there
Evil
Malevolent in nature
you know I got the fix
You know I have a solution
Ecclesiastes 7-2-6
A biblical reference to a passage discussing the value of life and its fragility
Evil baby
Evil, my dear
Under the veil
Concealed from sight
Evil turn it away
Turn away the malevolence
Writer(s): KZ Jones, Doyle Bramhall II
Contributed by Brody W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kevinherd3437
In a bar or at a party or a stadium or arena, with legends like Beck, Waters, Clapton, BB King or Freddie, or SRV & JV. DB2 is a complete musician and his work stands up to any scrutiny. Thanks Doyle
@joeybenoit6269
Doyle bramhall II should get a Grammy just for his voice! It doesn't matter what he s i n g s!!!!!
@ricksalt6860
Should have received a Grammy for Rich Man , album of the year
@deeanntuckett8764
Seen Doyle, Eric Clapton, Derek trucks, Robert cray play together in a concert. It was so awesome.
@brucecall1595
Love it ....when the veil was torn in two we became free from the condemnation of the law, and stepped into grace. Yes and amen.
@waltzguy14151
Doyle never disappoints
@dmitrya7028
Thank You Mr.Doyle Bramhall II !
@stevetrivago
238 in.. I’m liking this percussionist too.. It’s not one it’s all.. Jesus😯 I wish more people would feel ☮️💟✊🏼 what I feel.. 👑🎸💯🎬
@JohnHarrisStoryteller
Amen...is this the same drummer from the Austin City Limits gig? Looks the same but older.
@brucecall1595
Amen brother.... I see the Lord in all things as well. Holy spirit power.🔥👑✝️