Carrying an Alabama family tradition, David Davis and the Warrior River Boys offer audiences a rare glimpse at the role of the frontman in American music. In Chicago Blues, it was Muddy Waters and the legendary Howlin Wolf. In Bluegrass music, it was Bill Monroe. Rather than operating under trendy hit oriented marketing schemes, frontman mandolinist David Davis simply nurtures his roots with integrity, tonal depth, and prose. After a couple of Rounder label projects in the early 90s, David and the band snapped rave reviews with their self-titled 2004 release on Rebel Records - .sure-fire picking and train whistle harmonies. USA Today. Their newest 2006 Rebel release, Troubled Times, is imbued with the innate sense of purpose that defines David and The Warrior River Boys: carrying an Alabama family tradition.
Directly linked to the origins of bluegrass music, David Davis love of bluegrass grew organically. Back in the 30s his father and two uncles played and sung in the brother style traditions of early country music. Uncle Cleo joined Bill Monroe as the very first Blue Grass Boy in 1938. Davids father went off to WWII and lost his right hand in a mortar accident. While his dads dream of making music may have been shattered, he never lost his love and devotion to the music. In fact, David carried his fathers love innocently down the road, never suspecting the impact on his life. In 1988, after a couple years as lead singer with the Warrior River Boys, the band caught the attention of Rounder Records owner Ken Irwin. After two Rounder releases in 1990 and 1994, David stopped recording to fine tune his band and skills as a frontman. While some compare the 2004 release to the Beatles White Album, it indeed was a turning point for David and the Warrior River Boys . In a Sing Out magazine review, An excellent instrumentalist in the Monroe style of mandolin, Davis is also among the most emotive, capable, and underappreciated singers in bluegrass. The new 2006 Rebel release Troubled Times takes the listener deeper into Warrior bluegrass soul.
When bossman Muddy Waters sang the blues, the bands role was deliver the message. Everyone in his band got a turn to cut loose, but never interfere with the message of a song. Bill Monroe, too, was a bossman with vision. Rules become unspoken truthsheres the big beat and this is the message of the song. Once ignited by Davis count, the solid backbone beat and harmony vocal duties fall on veteran Warrior bassist Marty Hayes and guitarist Adam Duke of Alabama. An unmistakably clear sense of timing breaks the song down to its essence. If its blue, David may draw on the dark tonal double-stops of legendary fiddler Owen Saunders: a man with a brush, Owen throws opaque masculine colors on the Warrior canvasdeep purples and subterranean reds. Exotic, awesome sounds that speak of ages. If it needs drive and speed, Warrior banjoist Daniel Grindstaff pops and chokes without imitation.no fear factor. Davids keen vision has no fear as he locks eye contact with every audience member, drawing them into the deep Warrior River valley.
With their second Rebel release, Troubled Times, and an invitational showcase spot at the 2006 IBMA World of Bluegrass, David and the Warrior River Boys are geared up for extended duty. Whether festivals, big city nightclubs, concert halls, or local coffeehousesfrontman David Davis & The Warrior River Boys jam a big bluegrass wallop into a concise package for todays audiences. hard-charging energy that make it stand out from the pack Bluegrass Unlimited. Very highly recommended. Enjoy.
For more information, please contact Tom Garber of Rebel Records: Phone - 434-973-5151 or email - [email protected]
