So, here I am relaxing on a Sunday bank holiday here in the UK. Baby Zak has gone to my parents for the day and I am on review duty for the magazine. This one is from a band that I confess to knowing nothing about at all, but here is the press release:
The Davidson Trio is a hard-rocking power trio based in Birmingham and the West Midlands in the UK. The band is led by Owen Davidon, the bass player and 5-octave vocalist (formerly with Uli Jon Roth & Rumour). Guitarist Ben Bicknell was Davidson’s fellow band member in the Glenn Hughes tribute called Black Country Community, while the band is powered by exciting new discovery Ellis Brown on drums.
The band’s debut recording, “Cougar,” is an old-school album given a contemporary makeover, with cracking songs, seamless interplay, bursting solos and Davidson’s soulful vocals. As Owen explains, “This album is a return to my rock-blues and funk roots. I was always into guitarists like Jeff Beck, while in my early career I supported Trapeze, and I always liked the idea of a power trio.
I also was influenced by bass players like Stanley Clarke, Victor Wooten and of course, Glenn Hughes. So having met Ben and Ellis, I wanted to write the best possible songs in a power trio format.
I’d like to think that with this album we have achieved that.”
My review:
8 songs running to just over 35 minutes.
“The Medusa Touch” is a solid rocker with a decent riff to start us off; I’m thinking Whitesnake with David Coverdale singing “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City!” I also suddenly thought of Tom Jones in the vocals; I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it was there! The track has a good bluesy/rock vibe and introduces me to a band who pull from the older blues sound and give it a modern shake-up.
“The Deep” is an older-style blues track, more BB. The guitar from Ben Bicknell cranks up into a fine bluesy riff solo and I like the little touch of harmony background singing in the chorus.
“Cougar”—now this one definitely tells me why I am thinking of Tom Jones! It has a strong funky feel to it and Owen Davidon delivers a strong vocal performance that soars in the chorus, a big vocal performance.
“Hold On” leads with this heavy bass feel and Ellis Brown delivers a strong performance on the drums, making those sticks do some work. It’s an album track. I liked the starting riff, but it didn’t grab me overall.
“Bad Moon” is an older seventies-feeling track holding a riffy blues vibe. Definitely a number for those who love a heavier-sounding rock/blues sound with a bit of funk somewhere underneath.
“Blue River” is a blues-based ballad. The lyrics are dreamy and romantic and the track moves the album toward its closing numbers with an emotive feel to the playing and vocals.
“The Cure” sees another great vocal delivery and a solid drum sound again pinning the beat. My feeling with a few of these tracks is that they would gain a new life played live where I bet the instrumentals connect to their crowd – a blues/rock audience with roots in that older sound.
“Catfish Blues” closes the album with, probably, my favorite track from the album. It, instrumentally, has a great beat that got me moving while I was listening to it and a drum/bass beat that nails things perfectly.
Standout tracks: “Catfish Blues” and “Cougar.”
In summary, ‘Cougar’ is a growling beast of an old-style blues-rock album, fusing classic vibes with a modern kick. From funky grooves to smoky ballads, this power trio knows how to shake the room. “Catfish Blues” and “Cougar” absolutely steal the show—turn them up and let it rip.
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You can stream music from the band here
By Stevie Ritson