I had the pleasure of running into soul signer EB (Ebylee) Davis earlier this summer at the Chicago Blues Festival. This fine Memphis influenced singer has made himself a megastar in Europe through his hard work and tenacious self-promotion, but he remains something of a “second-tier” performer in his former homeland. The very personable Davis told me that the work involved in self-promotion, booking, organizing tours and producing his own records is really a full time job, on top of trying to be a top flight performer. So, while bluesmen like Buddy Guy are impressed enough to take the stage with EB during a performance at Legend’s in Chicago and the fact that he was one of the featured performers at last year’s King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas, most Americans know very little about this talented man.
EB gave me a copy of I Wanna Talk About You when we were visiting and I told him that I would give it a listen. Having reviewed two other Davis recordings, I Write The Checks and Live At Yorckschlosschen, Vol. 2, I popped the new CD in my player with high expectations; expectations that were met, and more.
On I Wanna Talk About You, Davis is backed by his own Superband, including Willie Pollock (Alto sax); Mike Watts (Bass); Mike Russell (Guitar); Lenjes Robinson (Drums); Tony Hurdle (Trombone); and Christopher Sorci (piano), along with a host of guest performers including Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges; Earl Bostic and Chris Rannenberg to name a few. The sound produced by the band is very polished and has a nice clean jazz, soul and blues feel to it, adapting to the needs for any given song and the influence of EB’s vocals.
The musical style varies from song to song; ranging from the jazzier tones of the opener “Fix It Man,” the soulful “I Need Someone” and on to the bluesy feel of “Since You Came Along” and Willie Dixon’s “When The Lights Go Out.” Between the opening number and the closing original, “Higher Ground,” Davis puts on a fine performance while the band provides all of the support necessary for one excellent recording.
Some of the other highlights of I Wanna Talk About You include the uptempo “Rather Be With Her” with its edgy opening harp intro; the Christian Rannenberg piano-laced title track, “I Wanna Talk About You,” which includes some great lyrics and vocals by Davis; the guitar heavy sound of “Tell Me Baby”; and the infectious sound of “Undercover Man.” Throw in a great cover of Willie Dixon’s “When The Lights Go Out” and some fine guitar by guest artist Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges on “Fool For The Ladies” and you have everything you need for one very entertaining recording. It should also be noted that eight of the twelve songs on I Wanna Talk About You are written or co-written by Davis.
Suffice it to say, I would recommend I Wanna Talk About You to anyone who enjoys the sounds of soul and blues mixed into a tasty stew of sound. To find out more about EB Davis, visit his website at www.ebdavis.com. On the website you can check out EB’s discography and order any of his CDs; read his biography and/or subscribe to his newsletter.
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