When researching the backgrounds of blues musicians, one learns a great deal about who influenced their music and the artists they’ve played and recorded with over the years. For Debbie Davies, that information is quite impressive.
A protégé of the late great Albert Collins, Davies is carrying on his legacy with her own electrifying, distinctive style of play.
The world-class female guitarist and vocalist will perform at Auburn’s Midnight Blues Club and Restaurant Sunday, July 17, as part of the club’s 2005 Sunday Night Blues Series.
Davies is rated one of the top female guitarists in blues today. She made her debut on the world-renowned Telarc label June 28 with a release titled “All I Found.” The album was recorded at The Studio in Portland and features Portland resident Per Hanson on drums, along with guitarist Arthur Neilsen from Shemekia Copeland’s band. The result is one fine sounding blues CD.
Born in 1952, in Los Angeles, Davies was exposed to the music scene at an early age through her musician parents. She came up through the ranks playing in blues and rock ‘n’ roll bands in the San Francisco Bay area. She returned to LA in 1984, securing the lead guitar spot with Maggie Mayall and the Cadillacs in 1985. Led by the wife of British blues pioneer John Mayall, this band brought widespread recognition for Davies’ talents.
In 1988, she joined Albert Collins and his band The Icebreakers. For the next three years, she was featured guitarist, performing nightly behind one of the most innovative blues legends of all time.
“I realize that I’ve had two great mentors in my life,” said Davies. “I’ve paid homage to Albert in my playing and dedicated a whole album (“Key To Love” in 2003) to the music of John Mayall. Those two men shaped the musician I am today.”
After her stint with Collins’ band, Davies joined harmonica player Fingers Taylor as lead guitarist in 1991. That same year, she also formed her own band and began preparing for a solo career. She released her debut album on the Blind Pig label titled “Picture This” in 1993. She recorded the well-received “Loose Tonight” in 1994, followed up with “I Got That Feeling” in 1996.
In 1998, Davies released “Round Every Corner,” her debut album on the Shanachie label. The 12-track effort features several of her own songs and received positive reviews across the country. He next recording on the Shanachie label was “Tales From The Austin Motel,” released in 1999.
Davies teamed up with drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon, better known as the rhythm section for legendary Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn. “Tales” received a W.C. Handy Award nomination and put Davies on the road to blues stardom.
Her next two recordings on the Shanachie label continued to lift her higher on the blues plateau. “Love The Game” in 2001 and “Key To Love” in 2003 were also big hits among her fans, successfully placing Davies atop the list of contemporary female blues artists.
The Midnight Blues Club and Restaurant is located at 34 Court St. in downtown Auburn. Tickets for all Sunday Night Blues Series shows are $15. All ages are welcome. FMI: log on to www.3clubs.com.
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