Davy Knowles – September 15th – Soiled Dove Underground

Estimated read time 3 min read

Davy Knowles 2015-7085
Photos by Tim Dwenger

The Scene: The Soiled Dove Underground is probably one of the most unassuming venues in Denver.  Nestled underneath the Tavern Lowry just East of Quebec, the outdoor staircase leads to a swank Jazz club style room with fantastic sound and not a bad seat in the house.

On Tuesday the conservative, Blues loving crowd at the Dove boasted a little bit more gray hair than most Tuesday night club shows in town, but it was clear that they knew their stuff and were eager to catch guitar wizard Davy Knowles put on a display of epic proportions.

Davy Knowles: It’s been a couple years since Davy Knowles graced a stage here in Denver and damn was it good to have him back.  While the seated portion of the room looked to be sold-out, there was plenty of dancing space up-front that slowly filled in as Knowles performance went on.  From the first note it was clear that this kid had come to play as he tore into his beautiful Paul Reed Smith guitar and filled the room with searing Blues licks that would make even the most seasoned bluesman green with envy.  His phrasing is daring, whether he is dropping carefully chosen notes into tense silence or attacking your senses with a flurry of fingers on the fretboard, but it’s always a pleasure to watch as he plays every song with passion and love that is clearly evident in his expressions.

The 90 minute show consisted of a healthy dose of songs from his most recent release, The Outsider, including “Catch The Moon and Run,” “Overload,” the driving Blues of “Ain’t No Grave,” and the pensive title track alongside some choice selections from his great 2009 solo debut Coming Up For Air.  It was tracks like “Tear Down The Walls” and the blistering train song “Riverbed” from that 2009 album that exposed Knowles to Blues fans across the country and he delivered them with power on Tuesday.

The trio closed the set with “Work A Little Harder” that featured a stellar bass solo and left the amped-up crowd wanting more.  After a brief break, Knowles returned to the stage and introduced local guitar-slinging troubadour Rob Drabkin who joined him on a soaring cover of the CSN&Y gem “Almost Cut My Hair.”  The afro’d Drabkin traded verses with Knowles as the later dropped a few choice solos into the mix.  It was a great way to end the night as smiles flashed around the stage and it was very clear that everyone was having the time of their lives.

Energy: B+
Musicianship: A+
Sound: A+
Stage Presence: A
Set/Light Show: B

Overall: A

tdwenger http://www.listenupdenver.com

Music has always been a part of my life. It probably all started listening to old Grateful Dead, Peter Paul & Mary, and Simon & Garfunkel records that my parents had, but it wasn't long before they were taking me to concerts like Starship, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Huey Lewis & The News. I got the bug to write about music after reviewing an Eric Clapton concert for a creative writing project in high school but didn't really take it up seriously until 2002. Since then I have published countless articles in The Marquee Magazine and done some work for Jambase.com, SPIN Magazine, and various other outlets. I started Listen Up Denver! as a way to share the music information that is constantly spilling out of my head with people who care. Please enjoy!

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