Category Archives: ANDY DAVIS
ANDREW CRESSWELL DAVIS Emergency Love
‘Ghost Of Love’ starts with a vocoder and is accompanied by strings, a composition that lives as a drama, with remarkable vocal work. An incredible album, beautifully balanced offering us wonders, sensitivity and emotion…
Highlands Magazine (Translated – June 2016)
Emergency Love is a gently-rocking affair constructed around the delicate songs, deft guitar and keyboards backed by a line-up including Stackridge’s violinist Clare Lindley and drummer Eddie John along with pedal steel supremo EJ Cole. Songs such as ‘Charlie’s Dead’ and ‘Rain Rain Rain’ show the tuneful sensitivities that Davis bought to his previous outfits, but there’s a sense of coming of age on others including ‘Loving You Too Long’ which edges towards the likes of Randy Newman. There’s often a country touch and even gospel overtones with choral backing vocals, particularly on the title track…
Record Collector Magazine (April 2016)
At first glance Emergency Love may seem, from an artist known for chopping and changing styles and approach, a little too straight forward in its ethos. However, strong songs and excellent musicianship will always shine brightly and on Emergency Love that light breaks through confidently from start to finish.
Sea Of Tranquility (April 2016)
The title track itself is an excellent example of how to take a tender theme, present it in a reasonably traditional singer songwriter setting and simply allow the music to speak for itself. Whether the gentle stroll of “Downtown Lights”, the understated yet insistent “Magdelene”, which I could easily imagine Mark Knopfler singing, or “Charlie’s Dead” which contains an authentic country rock vibe, it’s hard not to get caught up in the believable manner with which Davis delivers the vocals. Add in some quite wonderful arrangements, where a deceptively simple sheen allows some seriously intricate work to feel smooth and unforced and it’s no surprise everything here works so well.
Sea Of Tranquility (March 2016)
The knock on heaven’s door, taking a hymnal turn in the title track, may stop at the sparse skank of “Nightfishing” with its steel guitars’ twang, while “Charlie’s Dead” paints patinated pictures on the way down memory lane towards “Downtown Lights” – a darkened cover of THE BLUE NILE’s ballad. Yet, as if to oppose “Peacock Of The Universe” referring to wisdom-preachers, who the artist hates rather than weirdos he likes, “Loving You Too Long” is a Shakespeare-citing soulful anthem which picks up where Otis’ classic left off. What’s left when the passion has burned, then? Look for the answer in the orchestral swell behind “The Ghost Of Love”: a dramatic, if soothing, finale to a warm, welcoming record – a beacon for those who feel lonesome tonight. ****
DMME.net (March 2016)
As the leader of such sturdy English bands as Stackridge and the Korgis, Andy Davis built a career that will see him through old age with substantial songwriting royalties. Both gigs were known for their idiosyncratic approach to pop, and his new solo album strives for eclecticism within a narrower tonal range. With his hoarse voice and mid-tempos, Davis seems to be cruising, and if the tongue-in-cheek ambitions that made the Korgis such a vital addition to the new wave canon are missed, there’s no shortage of great tunes and clever lines. Blues and trad are the preferred modes of presentation, but Davis’s pop instincts make sure the songs are concise and the arrangements serviceable. It’s what used to be referred to as a “journeyman’s record,” one whose merits are difficult to repeat, except that Davis has been repeating them his entire professional life.
EL Magazine (February 2016)
ANDY DAVIS Clevedon Pier
Originally released in 1989, its keyboard sound does sound somehow dated, but since the music is rather minor and restrained, the effect of this aging is greatly diminished and is negligible when compared to the emotional, personal dimension that enriches the album and places it above other new-age works.
http://maelstrom.nu/ezine/review_iss39_2748.php
…the album is gentle and restrained…Once again, Angel Air have produced a fine booklet with two bonus tracks…
Classic Rock Society (November 2005)
…it’s largely one man and his synthesizer, introspective and engaging.
Record Collector (December 2005)
Tranquil songs and subtle instrumental passages combine to create an unassuming gem which was initially aimed at the then fashionable ‘new age’ market
Kevin Bryan, Stirling Advertiser
…it is so laid back it is horizontal – in the right mood then this would be essential…
Feedback (November 2005)
…on this beautifully crafted 12-tracker he demonstrates his wealth of musical talent, from the slow and easy to the traditional as well as the jazzy. This really is a rich offering of styles and sounds.
Hartlepool Mail (March 2006)