Rear View Mirror Bottom Line:
When an independent artist sets out to make his first solo album, it's always a trial to get it publicity, get it heard. Someone with as much talent as Davis needs to be heard. With a solid traditional folk sound and some truly excellent songwriting, this award-winning Wyoming native is off to a strong start.Some History:
Aaron Davis has been playing and singing for years, working as front man for a number of bands, including Boondocks, Global Review, and Grilled Cheese; he's been performing hundreds of shows a year and has opened for or shared the bill with the likes of Willie Nelson, Brian Wilson, James McMurtry, Wilco, Reckless Kelly, and many others. He's a phenomenal songwriter, plays a variety of stringed instruments (including pedal steel, which always impresses me), and he certainly knows how to put together great musicians to present his first solo effort, a marvelous blend of traditional Americana sounds with his own experiences, history, and the glorious themes of the west, including Bill Plummer on upright bass, Marshall Davis on electric bass, Davis Bundy on drums, John Kuzloski, Ben Winship, Matt Kramer, John Kidwell, Jason Fritts, and others.Rear View Mirror - The Songs:
Davis wrote every one of the twelve tracks on this disc, demonstrating a wide range of style while keeping to tradition. His love for his native Wyoming, and the city of Jackson Hole, ring through his songs, from the historical view of the opening track "1937," about life during the New Deal in Jackson Hole, which received runner-up honors at the 2008 Dreams Acres Music Festival Singer-Songwriter Contest in North Carolina. Davis also had one of his songs selected for the television series Road Trip Nation, which was featured online at MSN.com; and no wonder. He tackles every style of traditional Americana, roots-based music, from blues and jazz to folk and country."Mystery Woman" kicks things into high gear, "Still Drinkin' Your Whiskey" is alt-country at its finest. There's not a single thing to really complain about here; it's a sharp and winning solo debut, and one I hope gives Davis the boost he needs to be heard.
Release Date: October 21, 2008 - Label: Yellow Dog
Rear View Mirror Track List:
- 1937
- Papa Hemmi's Hideout
- Mystery Woman
- Still Drinkin' Your Whiskey
- Leavin' the 9 to 5
- Pass It On
- For Your Own Good
- Looking Back
- What the Hell, Grandpa
- GP
- Day the River Died
- The Cardinal
