Based in Menston, UK, Paul Davy offers listeners a “distinct bluesy/folk style with storytelling” that’s “truly at its heart.” Influenced by a wide range of artists including Gerry Rafferty, Rab Noakes, Thea Gilmore, Capercaille, Old Crow Medicine Show and Eddie Reader, Davy has been writing music since his teens. According to his biography, he set his guitar to one side when career and family took over in his late-20s – he is a father of two – but when one of his earliest home recordings was unearthed in 2010 by his sons he began to write again. Following up his debut album Better Late is Ancestors, a five-song EP about mortality and loss with a surprisingly uplifting sound.
The songs were all written on the Scottish islands of Orkney and Lismore. It was produced by Nigel Stonier and engineered by Seadna McPhail, who also worked on Better Late. Recorded at Airtight Studios, Chorlton, Manchester, UK, Stonier also played bass, keyboards, acoustic guitar and sang backing vocals, while Davy’s friends and family were playing with him on various instruments. Davy also recruited the help of Che Beresford from the bands Black Grape and Capercaille to play drums and percussion. “Ancestors” is described as a waltz that is “part love song” and “part we will know when our time on the planet is up when the ancestors come calling.” If you listen closely and know what a waltz is, Davy and company play it beautifully, in a nice, gentle fashion. I wish more artists played them. And if you like the warm, mellow sound of the cello, you’ll like this one for sure. “Who's Going to Miss You When You're Gone” is a sorrowful song for the National Health Service – the NHS. Davy’s words are a call to save it before it's too late. He ‘personifies’ the service by using the pronoun ‘you’ – as his words say, “you gave them hope / you took their fear / you gave them a shoulder for their tears… they’re going to miss you when you’re gone.” This tune features a combination of cello and violin solos that are gorgeous and a tempo that’s slow, but perfect for the song’s context. “What Am I to Do” is about grief and loss. The act of holding onto someone but then, letting go. There’s a sweet and soulful harmonica solo on this one and overall, in the style of a slow dancing ballad. “Go Tell Aunt Mary” is an upbeat number in bluesy rock n’ roll fashion. Lyrically, it’s about a fictional person who’s called on when it's time to go – but, go where Davy doesn’t specifically name a place, other than “home.” Back-to-back harmonica and guitar solos are a highlight here. The last song “Clouds” is about hope and coming out on the other side after a devastating event in your life. I really liked Davy’s words on this one – very poetic. I especially liked the chorus “let’s just see what tomorrow will bring / let’s just sit and wait / put some money on sunshine ahead / let’s just sit here and wait.” On the whole, I liked how Paul Davy and his band mixed old-world styles and sounds, along with takes on more modern genres – a good variety for those who like a bit of everything.
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