Debbie Davies

"Tales From The Austin Hotel"

Shanachie 9019

The latest release from Ms. Davies teams her with two former members of
Double Trouble, the band that backed Austin's own Stevie Ray Vaughan
until his untimely death in 1990. Bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer
chris Layton have in recent years been lending their names and talents
with increasing frequency to various blues artists, perhaps most
noticeably on Kenny Wayne Shepard's last record. Debbie co-produced this latest compilation, along with writing (all or in-part) seven of the
twelve cuts.

The disc opens with several agreeable if not inspiring mid-tempo
numbers including Bald Headed Baby and Willie Dixon's I Want To Be Loved which both feature nice piano from keyman Anthony Geraci. Following these, however, is the 1,341st version of I Just Want To make Love To You. Admittedly it has a funky twist, but so what?  It ought to be illegal for anyone to record this song again.

Two instrumentals stand out on the second half of the record. Percolatin has an early 60's surf sound and plays like a long guitar solo with a double-time backbeat ala That  Thing You Do.  Atras de tu
Ojos ( Behind Your Eyes) is perhaps the most original track, offering a
south-of the-border sound. A personal favorite was Half caf Decaf, a
foot-tapping shuffle where Geraci shines again on the keyboards. Debbie's Strat work impresses most on I'm A Woman, a song she penned
that shows off some smooth sounding trumpet and nice drum work courtesy of Layton.  Here, as she often does, Davies reminds me of one of her contemporaries, Joanna connor, especially in vocal style.

This cd does not fall into the " must have" category, and her recordings sometimes do not capture the energy of her live performances, but if you're a Debbie Davies fan, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Steve Magner

©copyright 1999, Suncoast Blues Society