By Ken Paulson
Legendary Kinks guitarist Dave Davies’ new album I Will Be Me is as much a statement as its title suggests. Rebounding from health setbacks, Davies delivers a album that is both vibrant and varied, and a vivid reminder of who brought crunchy and muscular guitar riffs to rock ‘n roll.
It was Davies who propelled Kinks hits “You Really Got Me and “All the Day and All of the Night” and he recalls that era with album opener “Little Green Amp,” a celebration of the primitive amp with a sliced speaker cone that gave his early guitar work such a distinctive sound. Davies is joined by Pittsburgh punk band Anti-Flag on the track, a full throttle rocker that quotes from classic Kinks songs.
In the “I didn’t see that coming” category is “Remember the Future,” a gentle and melodic collaboration with the Jayhawks.
The most pleasant surprises on the album are the sweeter songs. Davies’ songwriting has often been fueled by cynicism and anger, yet “The Healing Boy” celebrates a grandson and “When I First Saw You, a duet with Geri X, is as romantic as Davies gets.
Dave Davies’compositions have never been as commercial or accessible as brother Ray’s, but have almost always been provocative and interesting. The intriguing I Will Be Me tempers the usual outrage with melody and grace.
Davies plays the Musikfest Café in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania tonight.
Upcoming dates:
June 2 – The Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL
June 6 – Sainte Rocke – Hermosa Beach, CA
June 7 – Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA
June 9 – The Canyon Club – Agoura Hills, CA
June 11- Del Mar Fairgrounds – Del Mar, CA
1 comment for “Dave Davies’ varied and vibrant “I Will Be Me””