2023 – WildRoots Records
By Phillip Smith; March 25, 2023
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
There is a new favorite blues-rocker on the block, and his name is Dyer Davis. This twenty-three-year-old from Florida is a master of guitar and hosts a tremendously soulful voice. A sense of comfort flows through me knowing the future of this treasured genre is in very good hands. Davis’ songs are soaked in blues and delivered with a punch. His debut album Dog Bites Back is co-produced by Stephen Dees and Billy Chapin. With Davis on vocals and guitars, the record features David Weatherspoon on drums, and Jacob Barone on bass. Also appearing on the record are guests Victor Wainwright on piano and vocals, Stephen Dees on bass guitar, Billy Chapin on guitars and organ, Patricia Ann Dees on tenor sax, flute and vocals, and Billy Dean on drums.
In true rock and roll fashion, Davis boldly kicks the record off with a smashing cover of Jeff Beck’s “Let Me Love You”. The groove is dirty and funky with Dean keeping a furious beat on drums. “Walk Away My Blues’ follows up immediately afterwards for a tasty serving of slow blues written by Dees and Wainwright. Wainwright pounds the hell out of the keys as Davis unleashes a searing guitar performance. It sounds fantastic. “Water into Wine” is a beautiful ballad constructed with religious imagery topped with an infectious hook which sports a strong Larkin Poe vibe. As Davis switches into crooner mode, he pours his whole self into “Cryin’ Shame”. Bursts of brass load the track with a gob of delicious Stax-flavored nougat. Wainwright steps in on mic and keys for the spectacular southern-rocker “Long Way to Go”. The slide guitar Chapin brings to the song adds a swampy texture. I slip into a hypnotic state when title-track “Dog Bites Back” kicks in. Davis sings the song with absolute fearlessness as it unfolds in a way which reminds me of a favorite band of mine Whiskey Myers. It sounds so damn good.
Dog Bites Back is rock solid from start to finish. Dyer Davis is an artist to keep your eyes and ears on. He’s going to move up the ladder fast.
Track List
1. Let Me Love You 4:35
[Jeff Beck/Rod Stewart]
2. Walk Away My Blues 5:27
[Stephen Dees/Victor
Wainwright]
3. Water Into Wine 3:58
[Dyer Davis]
4. Cryin’ Shame 4:48
[Billy Chapin/Stephen
Dees/Dyer
Davis]
5. Train Wreck 2:58
[Billy Chapin/Stephen
Dees/Dyer
Davis]
6. Lifting Up My Soul 3:27
[Stephen Dees]
7. Long Way to Go (feat. Vic[1]tor
Wainwright) 4:37
[Stephen Dees]
8. Wind is Gonna Change 4:45
[Dyer Davis]
9. Dog Bites Back 3:56
[Stephen Dees/Billy Chapin]
10. Angels Get the Blues 5:19
[Stan Lynch/Billy
Chapin/Stephen
Dees]
11. These Walls 4:03
[Dyer Davis]
12. Don’t Tell My Mother 3:52
[Dyer Davis]
13. AKA 4:44
[Stephen Dees/Dyer Davis]
For more information about Dyer Davis, visit his
website at : https://dyerdavismusic.com
