"When
Jeff Davis sings the repertoire of the Appalachian Mountains, he cuts
through decades and across borders, sitting us right down in the dirt
in front of a weather-beaten shack, at the feet of a hillbilly singer.
He combines authenticity and art in a rare way." So said the
Chronicle Herald of Nova Scotia, summing up what makes Davis pretty
well unique amongst American folk revival performers. Jeff is one
of those musicians who makes everything look easy. He plays dazzling
old-time fiddle, is master of frailing banjo in several different
styles, and is just as good on guitar, mandolin or mandocello, without
ever striving too hard for showy licks or empty virtuosity. His singing,
based on long immersion in the styles of the old singers - and sometimes
friendship with them - is truly timeless, conjuring vividly the world
of the cowboy or the Civil War soldier. Jeff Davis has an unusual
and refreshing repertoire that includes songs and music from New England
and the West, as well as the more common Southern mountain material.
Admirers of his musicianship and singing range from Bruce Molsky in
America to the late Peter Bellamy in England, while cutting-edge folk
maverick Tim Eriksen cites him as an important mentor and influence.
He has also worked regularly with cowboy singer Skip Gorman. In 2005
Jeff contributed two memorable tracks to the "Songlinks"
album of transatlantic song migrants, and was one of the hits of the
launch concert in London. He will be releasing a solo CD in 2006.
For a
number of years Jeff Davis worked with Jeff Warner in a partnership
described by the American magazine Dirty Linen as "one of the
best old-time duos to be found in this whole country". Davis
and Warner toured the UK twice in the mid-1990s, playing festivals
including Towersey, Fylde, Chippenham and Cleethorpes, and some of
England's best folk clubs, but since then Davis has made only rare
solo visits. He has, however, built up a devoted following, and no
fan of old-time music or real traditional singing should miss him.
"A fine interpreter of traditional song; worth a lot
of salt" Sing Out! (USA)
"An excellent banjo frailer and fiddler" The
Living Tradition (UK)
"A fine old-time banjo and fiddle player, and a highly-rated
singer" Froots (UK)
MP3 files:
Jeff plays Lincoln
Street and Shortnin'
Bread
recorded live at Walthamstow Folk Club, April 2005, with Brian Peters,
guitar.
Doney
Gal, from Jeff's forthcoming CD "Some Fabulous Yonder"
with Brian Peters, melodeon.