Val Davis is a singer song writer, producer and performer with a storied musical history. In the 1980s Houston’s Public News (a long defunct publication) described his music as “Texas New-Age Folk-n-Roll”. Fans often compare him to a cross between Stephen Stills and Peter Gabriel. He has opened for Richie Havens, The Little River Band and Loverboy to name a few. He tells the story of meeting Stephen Stills without knowing who he was. He is lucky to have started his musical life in Texas surrounded by the rich tapestry of legendary talent. His first recordings were produced by award winning producer Mark Hallman (Carole King, Dan Fogelberg, Eliza Gilkyson, Ani DiFranco). His music was featured on National Pulic Radio’s “All songs considered” , XPN in Philadelphia and countless podcasts. He has over 1 million listens on the European music site Jamendo. While Val says he is always at least a little nervous on stage, has performed at festivals and smaller venues in Colorado,Texas, Michigan, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and now Virginia.
Val has recently returned to performing and loves bringing his music and life stories to audiences large and small.
Val Davis first album, Immortal, is made up of eight songs recorded over the last decade in Texas and Vermont. Acoustic and electric guitars and stacked harmonies create a pure folk-rock mood in an America/Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young vein, with a 90s touch in the use of synths in the background. Despite various recording locations, the production is surprisingly consistent the work has a unified sound. Davis plays all the instruments on the four newest tracks and gets a bit of help on the rest. He s a strong singer; his smoky, smooth voice makes even the clunkiest lines sound deep and poetic. What really shines is Davis acoustic guitar playing, though he s no slouch on any of the other instruments. The arrangements, too, are strong. Immortal is the standout track, but all these songs tend to tickle the ear. Eight pretty good songs that sound pretty great. Not bad for a first album. Colin Clary – Seven Days – Burlington, VT
“I first heard the Texas sky song at Klipsch speakers web site. As an avid music lover I fell in love with the sound of val’s music and the power of his work upon myself and my wife. After listening to the complete cd, We bless you Val to keep on revealing the connection of us all…to us all. We would also like to see and hear Val in a concert. Micha Eizen”
Singer-songwriter Val Davis’ new album, “Immortal,” is a gritty and heartfelt return to the folk-rock of the ’60s and ’70s. What this CD lacks in finesse, it makes up for with heart and soul. Davis will be joining the rhythm and blues of Dr. Burma at Bradford’s new music hall, Middle Earth, on Saturday, and retro lovers – and those of us who were around then – should have a good time. The title song, “Immortal,” seems to sum up the album: “Now I wake to find that time and I are in a dead heat in this race. And, I’m not immortal, anymore.” Set to a driving rock rhythm, the lyrics are all about adulthood – from the heart of a ’60s rocker. This message comes naturally in the charismatic “The Point,” another gritty old-style rock song. In this, and many others, Davis sings with his natural baritone, accompanying himself with a secure guitar. To this, he has dubbed himself in vocals and rhythms, and, for the most part, the result seems natural. On several songs, though, Davis is joined by some fine instrumentalists. In “The Call,” perhaps the best song in the album both lyrically and musically, he is joined by Bradley Kopp on slide acoustic guitar. This love lament, is another adult one. It’s an understanding and positive take on a broken relationship. Real rockin’ electric guitar, stylishly played by Mark Hallman (he is also dubbed in on bass and drums), is featured in the ballad, “Fade Your Heat,” seemingly about parenthood. Kopp and Hallman are both featured in the anti-war, “Half Way ‘Round the World.” This might be a paean to the war protest songs of the past, but its ideas are more sophisticated than most of this genre. Davis is a good musician with an attractive voice and some solid heartfelt ideas. While this album breaks no new ground, it is an engaging look at popular music of the past, providing a window on that era for the younger set, and a pleasant reassurance to its own generation. – By Jim Lowe Times Argus Arts Editor
For booking information email “Bookings@valdavis.com” (802)-535-3944
