By Scott Bampton
Released in late January 2018, Alive from Legacy is the new three-track record from the contemporary blues-rock powerhouse, Shaw Davis & The Black Ties. And considering the band only recently released its first album in June 2017, the trio is clearly keen to capitalize on the newfound attention brought by their self-titled debut.
As the name suggests, Alive from Legacy is a live-recording, intended to capture the energy of the band’s shows in and around their native Florida – as well as further afield in Pennsylvania and California. The trio is swiftly gaining a reputation for its high-octane covers of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Cream, and many other giants of the blues and rock genres. However, it’s the band’s original songs included on Alive from Legacy that demonstrate what intelligent and technically outstanding musicians Shaw Davis and his crew are.
A frighteningly young guitarist-singer-songwriter, Davis is rapidly carving out a niche of his own with his brand of psychedelic blues rock. Backed by “The Black Ties,” Davis’ outfit comprises long-time friends and collaborators, drummer Bobby Van Stone and bassist Patrick Stevenson. And on lead track “Mama Told Me”, the band demonstrates that they are a tight-knit unit–not simply a frontman and hired hands making up the numbers. The frontman does initially take the lead, launching straight into a screaming solo that bends the mind as much as Davis bends his strings. But while that kind of showmanship may have other backing bands playing wallflower, The Black Ties match Davis for dynamism, precision, and outright fury. It’s like a three-pronged sonic offensive – the guitar pierces, the bass rattles, and the drums batter. For fans of the heavier end of blues rock, it’s a beating your eardrums will gladly take.
With a style drawing from diverse influences like Buddy Guy, Jack White, Jimi Hendrix, Philip Sayce, and Chris Duarte, Davis showcases an impressive writing and guitar-playing eclecticism on “Mama Told Me”. But once he begins belting a familiar blues tale of parental caution going unheeded (“Mama told me you better not drink, but I’ve got another round coming my way”), Davis shows he’s got the voice to match. Full of passion and spirit, Davis’ vocals channel the likes of Kenny Wayne Shepherd to arrive at a tone that’s soulful and tuneful in equal measures.
On second track “Woman Goodbye”, Davis really cuts loose, with an impressive number of wailing solos punctuating the song. And it’s on this track that the musical chemistry between Davis, Van Stone and Stevenson really comes to the fore; as a live recording with no layered instrumentation to hide behind, Davis and the band need to work hard to fill instrumental gaps during the numerous guitar solos. And fill them, they do. Bass player Patrick Stevenson loosens up his right hand, letting the bass notes ring out a little longer than usual. Meanwhile, Van Stone’s drumming also lets fly with splashing cymbals and the odd well-placed roll on the toms. Clearly, these three musicians have an understanding on an almost telepathic level, with each one playing their part perfectly to serve the song.
On “Hell with Ya”, the band offers up more of that potent chemistry. Cymbals fizz and deep bass notes resonate beneath Davis’ red hot fretboard shredding, which is incomprehensibly fast. The sing-along chorus of “to hell with ya, baby” brings a touch of pop sensibility to the release, before a final solo and extended stadium rock outro serves as a reminder that Shaw Davis & The Black Ties are in their element when rocking out as hard as possible. If you have a taste for heavy blues rock, think of Alive from Legacy as a spicy hors d’oeuvre – it will have your palate tingling for Shaw Davis & The Black Ties’ next studio album.
For more information on Shaw Davis & The Black Ties:
Website: https://www.shawdavisblackties.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawdavisblackties/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2xrg2v3MhY5v6k0565XNkU?si=opFJrbQmTy-_BdWyCa7sMw
Smokin’ Hot!!!!
Richard,
Thanks for your comment. We agree!
What a very well written review…..very descriptive and accurate ?
AWESOME, JAM ON SHAW.YOUVE DEFINITELY GOT THOSE 12 BAR BLUES CHOPS MASTERED.
Caught this band last year in PA. Son of a bitch!.!.!. If you like more mustard on your hot dog, then shut up and listen hard to these boys. Your ears will never be the same again. Fuck Yea!
Thanks for your comment. I bet they were insane live!!!
Great review, Martine! I am lucky to call this smokin’ hot band my local band, but soon, with your and others help getting the word out, the rest of the world will get a chance to enjoy The Black Ties. When I describe them to people I tell them “They are like Cream but with a better guitarist.” or “Think of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, without Jimi’s sadness.” There is that suffering and pain thing, which is the roots of blues into r&r. The AfricanAmerican gospel wailing sadness. The moaning. And the chanting. The only thing that we ever gave the world that was uniquely our own. Rock and Roll. Shaw is digging deeper every day, but he will never have Jimi’s pain. Thank god. The drummer is the best of the trio. You must see them live. Come visit, I have extra rooms, you will love them more. ~Jody BIG BLACK TIES FAN!!!
Excellent…his guitar skills are beyond belief actually..WOW
Meg,
So glad you like him! His guitar skills are beyond belief. And with soul too. Thanks for your comment.
If you haven’t seen them live, do it before you die or your life would have been incomplete!