Davell Crawford

BORN WITH THE FUNK

Mardi Gras-1044
avaliable on Amazon

This is the true roots of Davell Crawford, and they do shine with the promise of even better things to come.  This disc is based in the gospel sound he grew up with.  It is the gospel experience with all the best that the blues and rhythm and blues added to it, as this sound of celebration and joy spread from "the word" to include the secular world.  He comes from that hot bed of keyboard players and this 'type' of music, New Orleans.  Whether he wishes it or not he is going to be compared to those icons of the city that came before him and set standards, Professor Longhair, James Booker, and Dr. John, and Henry Butler to name but a few of his more recent predecessors.  Try and remember that this talent is only 24 years old, and he is just beginning to show us what he is capable of doing.  There is not a week cut on this disc, which includes tunes such as GEORGIA ON MY MIND ( brave to take on this tune but he more than pulls it off), by H. Carmichael, S. Jones, HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT, by K. Kristofferson, among others and seven that he penned.  Several of those are destined to become classics, such as GOING BACK HOME TO NEW ORLEANS, and the very beautiful, yet bittersweet GOODNIGHT MY LOVE.  This disc is brimming with the energy of this dynamic talent, who has surrounded himself with a crack group of players to help him.  Most importantly, I think here, as fine a group of background vocalists as I have heard in a long time.  This disc is filled with that fine Soul (sound of Truth and belief) that comes from the City that is known for its soul and rhythm.  This is a prodigious talent on the upswing.  Be ready to have your world expanded when you put his one on.

 

 
Davell Crawford Born Funk

Produced and arranged by Davell Crawford
 
Songs, times, writers - ( All songs by Davell Crawford unless noted)
THE MARDI GRAS SONG - 4:59
GOING BACK HOME TO NEW ORLEANS - 4:58
PLEASE FORGIVE ME - 4:19
SAD SONG - 4:07
HE'LL MAKE YOUR DAY - 4:35 (Duet with Jackie Tolbert
GEORGIA ON MY MIND - 4:15 - H. Carmichael, S. Gorell
DROWN IN MY OWN TEAARS - 4:49 - Henry Glover
BORN WITH THE FUNK - 5:35
HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT - 7:35 - Kris Kristofferson
PRECIOUS LORD - 6:36 - Traditional
GOOD NIGHT MY LOVE - 5:05
 
MUSICIANS
Davell Crawford - lead vocals, piano, Hammond B-3
Jackie Tolbert - vocals on HE'LL MAKE YOUR DAY
Background Vocals -
            Terence Boyd
            Valencia Rhodes
            Andrea Rhodes
            Shannon Rhodes          
            David Rhodes          
            Timothea Beckerman
            Mary Bonette
Bass guitars
            Mark Brooks
            Vitas Paulskstaitis
Guitars
            Steve Blailock
            June Yamagushi
Drums
            Wilbert Arnold
            Tony Dillon