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Davell Crawford

LET THEM TALK

Rounder - 2139
avaliable on Rounder Records

This 1995 first release by Davell Crawford is done in the best tradition of New Orleans music.  Here is the 19-year-old Crawford, paired with producer Scott Billington, and receiving backing from the cream of the crop of the New Orleans session men that seem to have been in on all the important sessions to come out of that fabled city.  That this new kid managed to gathered such people as Alvin “Red” Tyler, Charlie Miller, with horns arranged and conducted by Wardell Querzergue, is testament in itself of the depths of his talent and the respect that his family, particularly his grandfather, James “Sugarboy” Crawford and his great uncle, Lionel Hampton, have gathered.  Then listen to the tremendous range of the music he covers and makes his own.  All of the music, whether it is jazz, funk, R&B, or gospel is rooted in that tradition of New Orleans piano that has become such an important part of the sound of this city.  The tradition that gained notoriety with Professor Longhair, was further developed by James Booker, and has been kept alive and well with Dr. John and Alan Toussaint , now has a new torch bearer that is playing with that same inventive and creative genius that has been associated with this musically eminent root of the Crescent City.  Davell Crawford shows you from the first notes where his roots are, and it is in the gospel church, which he believes is the root of all of New Orleans music.  There is a strong reliance on the rousing rhythms that this music uses as its base to springboard itself out into the secular world, where the raw and primitive rhythms that permeate this city mix and percolate themselves into his music.  It is at this fountainhead of all that he holds important, that he gathers the strength and faith that permeates both his vocals and his keyboarding skills.  This disc is a brilliant opening for a bright and shining new star arising from the funky and rhythmic surroundings of a city that has given us so many aural blessings.  I look forward to anything forthcoming.  Do not miss the opportunity to hear what is the brightest of new beginnings.

Songs, times, writers, and musicians:

1 SOMETHING YOU GOT - 3:43 - Domino-Kenner
Davell Crawford - piano and vocal
Sammy Berfect - Hammond B-3 organ
Renard Poche’ - guitar
Chris Severin - 6 string electric bass
Herman V. Ernest III - drums
Melaney Batiste, Erica Falls and Jabial Reed - backing vocal
 
2  A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE/AMAZING GRACE - 5:49 - traditional
Davell Crawford - piano

3   I BOWED ON MY KNEES - 3:55 - James Crawford Jr.
Davell Crawford - piano and vocal
Renard Poche’ - guitar
Chris Severin - 6 string electric bass
Herman V. Ernest III - drums
Charlie Miller - trumpet
Alvin “Red” Tyler - tenor saxophone
Fred Kemp - tenor saxophone
Mark Mullins - trombone
Carl Blouin Jr. - baritone saxophone

4   SHE’S GOT WOBBLE WHEN SHE WALKS - 3:24 Crawford/Bartholomew
Davell Crawford - piano, Hammond B-3 organ,  and vocal
Renard Poche’ - guitar
Chris Severin - 6 string electric bass
Herman V. Ernest III - drums
Charlie Miller - trumpet
Alvin “Red” Tyler - tenor saxophone
Fred Kemp - tenor saxophone
Mark Mullins - trombone (solo)
Carl Blouin Jr. - baritone saxophone

 

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