Country music with a rock n' roll soul

11 MP3 Songs in this album (39:39) !
Related styles: COUNTRY: Outlaw Country, COUNTRY: Country Rock

People who are interested in The Black Crowes Waylon Jennings Gram Parsons should consider this download.


Details:
The words "The Real Deal" are often used to describe an artist. But in the case of Chris Davis, there really aren't any other words to use. He has spent years fine-tuning his craft, and his songwriting and singing prove upon one listen that he is indeed, "The Real Deal."

The new album, "Patience is a Virtue," recorded in Golden, Mississippi with former members of Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard's touring bands, is more than just an album title. It describes a long road and a long fight for a self-sustaining music career, which is far from over. It describes years of musical exploration; growing up on country, turning his back on country and becoming a lifelong rock and roller, slugging it out in the rock clubs for years, and ultimately, rediscovering his love for the outlaw country music he grew up on.

Seems like it was yesterday I was riding with Chris in his truck, telling him how much I loved his last album "My Anxiety" (a rock and roll concept piece). He smiled as he mentioned he would now like to record country music, specifically in the vein of Waylon, Willie, and the outlaw music movement that had enchanted him as a child. I had to admit I was a little shocked by his new ideas, as I'd never known him to be a country music fan. But watching his new direction go from demo stage, with an awesome version of âStop The World and Let Me Off,â to a country reworking of the KISS classic âBaby Driverâ for my KISS tribute album âGot to Foo,â it was clear there was magic in this project. And it was clear this new direction for him was an honest one. I watched him go through the excitement of seeing that cover of "Stop The World and Let Me Off" begin to open doors he thought were closed to him. I saw him get invited to Nashville to perform onstage with Waymore's Outlaws; not just some guys who play great country music, but guys who had played with his country music hero Waylon Jennings. I witnessed the pains and triumphs he experienced, working on the songs that would eventually become âPatience is a Virtue," tossing out songs I thought were great, but replacing them with tunes that were even better.

âPatience is a Virtueâ is not just an album for country music fans. This album is a true piece of Americana; an album of warm and well crafted songs. The heartfelt lyrics blend perfectly with the music, which flows from straight-up country to occasional shades of southern rock. The opening kick of "Gone" is obviously tipping the hat to Waylon himself, but the rest of the album flows in and out of so many influences, it is impossible to say Mr. Davis is trying to cop anyone's act. The sounds he and Waymore's Outlaws have created on this disc is a throwback to the old outlaw sound, while still keeping things fresh and modern.

"Patience is a Virtue" may be a way of describing that if you stick with it long enough, the doors will eventually open. I would argue that his music and patience is what opened those doors, but his raw talent and sincerity has kept them open. The spirit of the outlaw music movement shines through this silver platter, and the warm and personal album cover makes you want to sit down, relax, and enjoy a whiskey with him.

In an age of MP3 downloads and single track purchases, this is an entire album worth owning.

-Sagafoo