John Davis

by John Davis

Overview

When a hard-livin' rock & roll frontman -- John Davis, formerly of Superdrag -- decides to clean up his act and follow God, it's up to his audience to decide whether or not to continue following him. It's a risky move, especially when that redemption -- not in the hellfire and brimstone Johnny Cash kind of way -- is the central subject of each and every one of his songs. Like many, Davis grew his wings after a long battle with alcohol, but unlike many who return to the music world after a religious epiphany, his compositional skills haven't been compromised. In fact, the longtime Brian Wilson follower has unleashed his most Pet Sounds-inspired batch of songs to date. The impossibly lush opener ("I Hear Your Voice"), using "God Only Knows" as its template, sets the tone for what sounds more like an exorcism than a Hallelujah. Davis get his Byrds fix out of the way on the jangly "Me & My Girl," channels Creedence Clearwater Revival on the gospel-blues rave-up "Have Mercy," and revisits early Superdrag territory with the Replacements-esque "Too Far Out." Lyrically, Davis pretty much sticks to the central theme of belief, a subject that he works wonders with spiritually but not creatively, leaving the listener free to marvel at the wonderful world of sound he's created. ~ James Christopher Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	03/31/2023
Label:	Goldstar Recordings
UPC:	0783495108092

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Davis   Primary Artist,Vocals,Various Instruments,Slide Guitar,Piano (Grand),Bass (Electric),Piano (Electric),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Baritone),Guitar (Electric),Drums,Organ,Voices,Cymbals,Triangle,Accordion,Mellotron,Toy Piano,Pedal Steel,Synthesizer
Manfred Jerome   Bells,Maracas,Tambourine,Sleigh Bells
Chris Carmichael   Strings

Technical Credits

Richard McLaurin   Audio Engineer,Mixing,Engineer
John Davis   Audio Production,Composer,Producer
R.S. Field   Audio Production,Producer
Matt Slocum   Portraits
Marc Chevalier   Mixing,Engineer
Adam Bednarik   Assistant
Jim DeMain   Mastering
Ben Pearson   Portraits
Stewart Pack   Design,Photography,Art Direction
Chris Carmichael   String Arrangements
Russ Long   Mixing