Paying respects to mentor and British blues Godfather John Mayall is Debbie
Davies' ace in the hole with "Key To Love" which celebrates Mayall's music.
Only two cuts are written by Debbie. "Takin It All To Vegas" is a deluxe
shuffle with lyrics poking fun at how mainstream America gets its kicks
hunched over casino blackjack tables. Davies proudly proclaims of being a
"blues woman" in "I Just Came To Play" that has Debbie digging deeply in her
mojo bag. Being most of the cd cuts are penned by John Mayall, it is up to
this lady to rise to the challenge of doing them justice. It's safe to say
she slams down the gavel heavily.
Some guest appearances don't hurt for that matter. Former Rolling Stone
guitarist Mick Taylor punctuates "Hard Road" with sugary slide licks.
"Chicago Line" just wouldn't be the same without harp master James Cotton
giving it his Muddy Waters stamp with harmonica city boogie. Peter Green
mans the guitar seat in "Nature's Disappearing" that ecologically speaks of
a rural America in a rapid decline.
It's still Debbie's show all the way. She reprises Mayall's numbers without
losing the flash and form they were packaged with in the first place.
"Steppin Out" certifies Debbie can hold her own in blues picking until the
fretboard awashes itself in flames. Her narration of "Dream About The
Blues" is blues poetry undercut by emotional vocalization and fluid guitar
work. And only Debbie can put the Freddy King bite in the uptempo "Sucker
For Love." Polar opposites like Texas Blues and British Blues are instantly
attractable like moths to the flame. Davies rocks her way through "Key To
Love" with the fury and finesse that even Mayall himself could appreciate.
Recorded in her home state of CT, Davies creates a piece of work that you
will find difficult yanking out of your CD player. With "Key To Love,"
Debbie might have made the ultimate musical statement she has always wanted.
With John Mayall as an early tutor, the lessons were well learned.
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