Davy Knowles

I first met Davy Knowles in Portland in 2009 while he toured America with his blues trio, Back Door Slam. I saw him and the band at Bonnaroo a couple years later. I've followed his career ever since. This tour was an acoustic show and delivered! First, the opening act. Peppino D'Agostino left Sicily over thirty years ago and carved himself a magical niche in the music world with his acoustic guitar skills. He straddled the flamenco with the blues, the classical with the Bo Didley beat. All the while, witty, charming and humble. The set could have gone another hour, I would have been happy. Now, Davy Knowles, on this tour, opened his life book and turned pages for us, narrating the narrow path with three different acoustic guitars. Well, two guitars and an eight string, octave mandolin. We heard how he acquired the first, an antique looking National, and through the first third of the show he made it sing on songs like his cover of John Redbourne's Wildest Pig In Captivity, If I Should Wander and the deeply personal Only Son. He switched to the Mandolin for the middle of the show, highlighted with the beautiful homage to Colorado's Bridal Veil. The last portion of the show was performed on a standard looking acoustic six string. He showed humor (Drunk Mind, Sober Heart), heart (Meet My Maker) and soul (Coming Up For Air). He finished his set with the lovely Taking You With Me, honoring his family. And then his one of his blusiest (IMHO) tunes, Tear Down these Walls. He finished with a couple of duets with Peppino D'Agostino and their interplay and virtuosity on their instruments flowed easily. A well earned standing ovation followed. Throughout the evening, Davy Knowles mad us chuckle a lot, He made us think a bit, made me cry a bit, made the room love him just a bit more for who he is. An honest, humble troubadour who writes and sings from his heart. I couldn't be prouder of the man he's become.