Showing posts with label Ward Davis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ward Davis. Show all posts

Oct 19, 2020

Aug 16, 2019

Live Review / Ward Davis & Charles Wesley Godwin / Pearl Street Warehouse 8/9/19


By Matthew Martin

To be honest, I had only really just heard of Ward Davis.  I knew that he was a helluva songwriter and was always being lauded by Cody Jinks.  I knew that he was a co-writer of one of my favorite Jinks songs, "I'm Not The Devil."  But, I wasn't really familiar with his music.  But, when I saw that the incredible Charles Wesley Godwin was going to be opening up for him, I knew I was going to go.  Then, they switched up the show and made it a free show.  That made it even better.  So, we got some friends together and went to Pearl Street Warehouse in D.C.'s newly updated Wharf area.  

To start the evening, Ward Davis's bassist (whose name I did not write down and cannot remember for the life of me) started with a few songs.  Here I will admit that I could not hear the songs that well.  The acoustics this evening at Pearl Street Warehouse left much to be desired.  There was an open window in the back which may have resulted in the solo musician being drowned out by the voices inside and outside of the bar.  The songs were fine enough, but I just couldn't hear them well enough to have a strong opinion one way or the other.

Next, Charles Wesley Godwin was up and while the mix was also still a little messed up in the bar, the songs still stood out.  I know I mentioned this before, but I think CWG is special.  I think this debut solo album is special.  I think the stories CWG tells of West Virginia are important for everyone to hear.  We hear country songs about beer, women, and backroads enough.  We don't hear what it's like for real, honest country folks living their lives through the ups and downs of wars and energy industry downturns.  That being said, I did have the advantage to lots of folks (but, not all, for sure) in that I knew most of the songs and was able to make the sounds I couldn't quite hear out in my head.  This was nothing against CWG, mind you.  He sang his heart out, he played his heart out.  It's just the sound at the venue was very much off this night for a solo act.  However, that didn't stop folks from loving what they were hearing.  Some who were talking quite loudly during the first act shut up immediately to try and strain and hear every word coming from the stage.  I found out shortly after that there were a few people who had driven 3 hours to come see CWG open for Ward Davis.  That is special, y'all.  I remember hearing stories like that about American Aquarium.  CWG has struck a chord and his momentum will continue to grow.

Finally, Ward Davis was up.  He's a heavy-hitter.  He's pure country gold.  He's honky tonk.  He's everything I wanted to hear.  He started the night off on his trusty telecaster, slinging out classics like "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" to his collaboration with Cody Jinks "I'm Not The Devil."  His band was tight.  The sound that was plaguing the first two acts didn't quite plague Davis as the band was able to drown out a lot of the chatter and really wash over folks.  Speaking of the band, the guitarist was great.  He hit every note like a seasoned veteran and he looked like he couldn't be a day over 21.  Midway through the set Davis switched over to his piano and played some more introspective tunes which included his songs from his latest EP Asunder.  The sincerity and simplicity with which Davis tells a story is stunning.  The range he has as a musician- storytelling-wise, I mean- is something to behold.  He can throw down shit-kicking boot-stompers or he can lay down beautiful heartbreaking tunes about divorce.  Not to mention, he can cover a song like "Time To Move On" by Tom Petty and make it sound like it's his own song.  He was impressive by all measures.  I was disappointed to know that he only has 1 full album and 1 EP out there.  I want, no need, more music from Ward Davis.  His peers (Jinks, Whitey Morgan) are putting out incredible music at a breakneck pace these days.  He can add to that and bring his own unique sound and style to the table.

As always, if you see these folks coming anywhere near you, go see them.  Go give em a hug.  Go buy anything and everything you can from them.  They are making music that deserves to be heard and they deserve every ounce of success they get from their hard work.  


(Not from the Pearl Street Warehouse show)

Jul 26, 2018

Album Review / Cody Jinks / Lifers

When I review music, I do it primarily from the point of view of a fan. I'm a music lover with a platform, not a music historian or trained writer (clearly). The focus will always be on the sound, the lyrics, and the emotions the songs bring out. 

Luckily, Cody Jinks is an easy subject to cover - you know what you're going to get: modern sounding country based in honky-tonk and 70s 'outlaw' country. Some people want their artists to explore new sonic territories and "evolve" over subsequent albums. While I embrace that sort of growth, I'm more invested in artists who grow in their songwriting while hewing close to a signature sound. 

On Lifers, Jinks nails it. The rich vocals, steel guitar, whiskey, regret …all the things you've come to expect from Cody are here. And while he's certainly written some classics along the way, the overall consistency of the songwriting has never been better. There's a lot to be said for finding your niche and just freakin' owning it.

"Holy Water" leads the way with a mid-tempo search for truth. It's a look in the mirror at a man who's been grasping for something. That something, he realizes, is spiritual in nature and the female backing vocals come in like a choir of support. 

Lead single "Must Be The Whiskey" was written by Joshua Morningstar. It's a loping modern honky-tonker and a thinking man's drinking song… or a drinking man's thinking song. That damn chorus is such an earworm, it's been stuck in my head for weeks. 

There's a lot of points to hit here, so I'm going to speed up the proceedings. "Somewhere Between I Love You and I'm Leaving" is exactly what you'd imagine from the title - a tear in your beer ballad. Jinks' vocal performance is the star of this weeper, elevating it to possible song of the year territory.


Title track "Lifers" celebrates struggle and work ethic - the 'throwbacks and cowboys in old hats.' "Big Last Name" is going to be a huge concert sing-along. It's pure Texas country. "Colorado," co-written with Ward Davis, is another outstanding ballad and probably my favorite song on the album.

Things take an interesting turn at the end of Lifers. The last three songs, "7th Floor," "Stranger," and "Head Case" take a cue from "Holy Water" and get really thoughtful and introspective. Honestly, I'm still trying to absorb these two, particularly "7th Floor." If you're looking for evolution out of Cody, bookending the record with songs that look so decidedly and honestly inward may fill your quota. 

Lifers is probably the strongest album yet from an artist who's still ascending in popularity. Who knows if it's the vehicle to be his "big breakthrough," but it's certainly accessible enough to fit the bill. Cody Jinks is on such a roll that even though he likely has little interest in mainstream radio, it's still an embarrassment to have such vibrant and beloved music exist in a world where that's not even a possibility. 

Anyway, stay up till midnight tonight, download the album, pour a glass of something strong, and settle in for a damn good listen. Lifers is killer.


May 9, 2018

Little Known Facts: May '18



In his teens, Jason Aldean was dropped by a vocal trainer who told Aldean's parents it was like trying to teach a legless man soccer

The greatest Lynyrd Skynyrd cover band is Lynyrd Skynyrd

The average Rascal Flatts fan is average

Evidently Bebe Rexha is not the subject of an early 90’s animated movie written by Reginald Hudlin

The bootleg Hank Jr. shirts on Facebook are sold by Hank Jr.

Cody Jinks, Whitey Morgan, and Ward Davis tour together so often so they can get the group discount at the beard groomer

Reba McEntire is the first Colonel Sanders to not have a cock, but only because she is allergic to feathers

Turns out, Blake Shelton is the jackass

The previous country fact was brought to you by The NFL Keurig Starbucks Yeti  Nordstrom Netflix Oreos Dick's Pepsi TJ Maxx  Lou's AR-15 n' Whiskey Shack

I was going to write the 500th fact that points out Shooter Jennings is short but I wanted to bring Farce the Music to new heights

Sam Hunt recently announced a winter 2018 Mexican tour starting on November 1, 2018

Blind item: Texas singer who recently signed with a major label uses full body pillows for his head

Early reports are that Chris Stapleton is the favorite to be named NBA Rookie of the Year

Support of a border wall by Congress has reached an all time high as long as it can be completed by November 2, 2018


----

Most of these by Jeremy Harris, but especially *that* one; you know the one. 

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails