photo by Dave Snyder Photography; photo courtesy of Davey O.
EP Review of Davey O.: Some Days
Davey O. is a hoarse-voiced, folk-leaning, singer-songwriter everyman who draws upon common human thoughts, feelings, and experiences to produce music that’s warm, welcoming, and capable of touching the emotions of his listeners. His music is sometimes introspective, other times observational, frequently insightful. His coarse, emotionally straining voice is thoughtful and earnest. There are a lot of acoustic guitarslingers out there – so much so that they often seem to blend together. Well, Davey O. doesn’t blend; seemingly subtly, he stands out. So, it’s with great pleasure that I find myself reviewing Davey’s latest recording, his Some Days EP.
The 6-song EP is rather wistfully nostalgic. It’s not sad, per se, though you’d be forgiven thinking it might be given some of the song topics, but it’s observant enough that it delivers a more matter-of-fact outlook on life. There are some positive moments, some pleasant lyrics, but on the whole, the EP is as much about paths not taken, wishes not granted, the unspoken determination to find to pockets of joy in a world that’s gray more often than it’s colorful, and the camaraderie of sharing the journey with others who experience the world similarly. I’ve taken some liberties with that description, extrapolating a bit on the lyrics and the tone, so your experience with this record may differ slightly.
image courtesy of Davey O.
The record opens with a steady strum, joined soon by Davey’s gruff, plaintive vocals, singing introspectively about “The Hand of Doubt,” opening up in the most relatable of ways. It’s such a compelling song that I’m willing to forgive – and often forget so much that I’m surprised anew by – the rhyming of “doubt” with “doubt.” It’s a strong opening number that’ll draw you in.
“Travelogue,” next, is simultaneously thoughtful and observant, and it opens with one of my favorite lyrics: “At the rest stop there are people going places that I’m not.” It always makes me smile, even as the song – in tone and lyrics – waxes nostalgic, but sorrowfully so. The closing lyric, “Hold your head up, smile, and wander this world,” ends on what passes for an upbeat note within the song’s context, though it’s not particularly convincingly positive. “Travelogue” is touching and powerful, a well-written and forthrightly-delivered song.
“For a Little While” is a little lighter musically, though Davey’s coarse delivery and the song’s subject matter paint a lonely picture of life on the road, interspersed with the pleasure of spending a little time with the occasional friendly face. It’s an engaging song with a semi-peppy tempo, providing the spoonful of sugar that helps the solitary musical medicine go down.
photo by Dave Snyder Photography; photo courtesy of Davey O.
“A New Season” is a winter’s lament, but it’s a warm song because it sings about the payoff of struggling through a wintry drive. In other words, the return home. Some of the lyrics are quite touching, but my favorite clever lyric is delivered early in the song, “It’s been weeks since I’ve seen the lawn.” Those of us in the snow belt can all relate, but most of us probably not as much as Davey’s neighbors in Buffalo.
“Texaco Sign” is a John Mellencamp-ish slice of nostalgia, but Davey O. style. Davey utilizes a heavy strum in support of his harmonica to provide a sturdy opening, then fills the void with his strained, hushed-yet-somehow-powerful vocal. It’s kind of the opposite of a travelogue; Davey takes a trip back in time but remains in Buffalo. Though I’m not personally familiar with Griffith Street Park or the location of the titular sign, this well-voiced time capsule takes me back in time to my own personal equivalents for a pleasantly nostalgic visit.
“Some Days” closes the EP with relatable lyrics about the ups and downs of life, mixing in imagery of winter approaching that are as symbolic as they are concrete images. The song is guided by a steady strum and Davey’s persistent, consistent, emotional voice, two things that are constant throughout this EP but vary noticeably from song to song. Familiar yet unique, the cornerstone of Davey O.’s broad, dependable appeal.
In the end, this is a terrific record. And I guarantee that, when you listen to it, it won’t come across nearly as heavy as the description I’ve offered above. Instead, you’ll find yourself lost in Davey O.’s textured voice, lulled comfortably by his strong, rhythmic strumming, having thoroughly enjoyed a six-song collection that doesn’t paint the easiest life. Because Davey O. is a storyteller, you can’t help but be comforted his by tales so well told.
photo courtesy of Davey O.
Looking Ahead
Davey O. tours extensively. His shows are immersively engaging, so catch him if you can. You’ll see his performance are more concentrated near his Western New York home, but you can catch gigs throughout the northeastern United States and parts of Ontario if you keep your eyes open. The “Tour” page of Davey’s website is a great place to find upcoming performances near you. At the moment, he’s scheduled to play extensively around New York state from now through the winter. His first out-of-state performance, among those currently scheduled, is nearly six months away – an April 27, 2024 performance in Washington, DC. So those of you in New York State, check out that concert calendar! And the rest of us should check back periodically, since Davey’s adding dates all the time.
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