Coming Up for Air
Audio CD
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£12.57
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Reviewer
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The "not so raw anymore" talent of Davy Knowles is superbly showcased in Coming Up For Air - his second album.
Right from the opening bars of the title track you can appreciate how far Davy has added to his obvious skills as a singer and guitarist in the couple of years since his debut album (as Back Door Slam) Roll Away was issued.
Every track has a fresh sound to it, and whilst each song has it's own identity, Davy has the hallmark of a great guitarist/singer of you knowing it's his song.
If I have any negative comments it's only that you can sense at times an over production which I would guess is influenced by Peter Frampton who produced the album.
Standout tracks Riverbed and Tear Down the Walls could both have been enhanced with a little less slick and a little more edge. But I'm nitpicking.
I'm backing Davy to make it big - I just hope he makes it big in the UK and doesn't just stay stateside as he progresses.
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This guy sounds like Paul Rogers from Free in his heyday before he became a bit of (a) Queen which is no bad thing. He really does sound quite vocally mature for a lad in his early twenties and most of the songs are well written and all are well performed. If you like traditional style blues influenced rock you'll like this.
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You could be forgiven for thinking you're listening to a 40+ year old American blues singer at the top of his game, then the guitar kicks in - surely this is Clapton at his best? Think again.
Twenty one years of age, hailing from the Isle of Man.
Eleven tracks and every one a winner.
This has to be the best album I've bought in the last ten years - bar none. Time for Eric to move over?
Give Davey Knowles a break - don't pirate a copy - buy it!
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My kind of music, very exciting artist. Looking forward to next album. Very glad he was on morning TV, this got me to buy the album straightaway. Hop he is about for a long time. Brilliant!!
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In general, this 'solo' album by Davy is a more thoughtful, varied and laid back release than 'Roll Away'. I doubt that it's a coincidence that this album is associated with 'Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam' whereas 'Roll Away' was associated with just 'Back Door Slam' and didn't obviously front-line Davy.
'Coming up for air' is a wonderful set of recordings with far fewer overt references or homages to the likes of Eric Clapton, Cream etc. This is Davy using his own musical voice - both literally and in his playing superbly fluid blues guitar. There is less emphasis on blues-rock but that in no way weakens or detracts from what is a supreme achievement by such a young player.
If you can imagine a fusion of Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Gary Moore in their respective heydays - you're going to love this album.
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