DEBBIE DAVIES TRIGGERS A MUSICAL EXPLOSION
ON NEW TELARC RELEASE
Blues Blast includes guest appearances by Tab Benoit, Coco Montoya and
Charlie Musselwhite
“Her dedication to ‘rockin’ the blues,’ as she
puts it, continues to inspire superlative efforts and a deep freezer’s
worth of bone-chilling guitar.”
-- Relix
When blues guitarist Debbie Davies’ released All I Found (CD-83636),
her June 2005 debut on Telarc, Blues Revue raved: “She pulls out
all the stops. She can play it all: seductive, soulful material, down-home
delta blues, or humorous tales of life on the road.”
Two summers later, Davies follows up with the August 28, 2007, release
of Blues Blast (CD-83669), a pressure cooker recording that showcases her
seasoned guitar and vocal capabilities and includes guest appearances by
three high-profile bluesmen: guitarists Tab Benoit and Coco Montoya, and
harpist Charlie Musselwhite.
“Like a master chef’s gourmet meal offering exquisite courses,
Debbie has crafted a nine-course wallop of her musical vision and spirit,” says
Art Tipaldi, senior writer for Blues Revue and the author of the album’s
liner notes. “One listen to Debbie’s tribute [to guitar mentor
Albert Collins] with Coco, the opening ‘A.C. Strut,’ proves
these kids learned Pop’s lessons.”
And that’s just the beginning. While the spirit of Collins is ever-present
in Davies’ guitar attack, the earthy Texas shuffle has become her
trademark sound. On Buddy Guy’s classic ‘My Time After While,’ she
conjures up that fiery Lone Star groove.
Four of the eight remaining tracks are either written or co-written by
Davies. Musselwhite ups the ante when he steps in with his high-end blows
and low-end draws on Davies’ own “Sittin’ and Cryin’” and
Musselwhite’s own contribution, “Movin’ and Groovin.’” Labelmate
Tab Benoit joins Davies to pay homage to two legendary blues masters: John
Lee Hooker on “Crawlin’ King Snake” and Howlin’ Wolf
on “Howlin’ for My Darlin.’”
The closer, “Sonoma Sunset,” bakes slow and rich like the
perfect high-calorie dessert for every blues lover. Davies and her three
accomplices join together in this minor-key, slow-blues instrumental. The
combination of Musselwhite’s harp solo – an exquisite succession
of one sonic innovation after another – and input from all three
guitarists turn this track into a ten-minute workout. In the final coda,
it’s easy to feel the spirited enthusiasm in their teamwork.
“
With tour schedules being what they are,” says Davies, “it’s
nearly impossible to get four blues musicians in the same studio at the
same time. So making this record was a rare joy, and a highly satisfying
experience. All of us – Tab, Coco, Charlie and myself – are
students of the old school, and there’s a sense of history that ties
us together. We all brought our ‘A game,’ and when we came
together, we all spoke the same language. The exchange of ideas that took
place in the making of this record had very little to do with talking and
everything to do with music.”
More than just a creative dialogue, Debbie Davies’ latest is a Blues
Blast.
Debbie Davies’ Blues Blast (CD-83669)
is due at retail on August 28, 2007.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Press: Amanda Sweet (202) 636-3507
Email: asweet@telarc.com
Tour Press: Kelly Johanns-DiCillo (216) 464-2313 ext. 247
Email: kjohanns@telarc.com
Radio/Artist & Tour Information: Vikki Rzepka (216) 464-2313, ext.
228
Email: vrzepka@telarc.com
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