Topic: Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam @ Bush Hall 7 April 2010
When Davy answered my “See ya, Davy. Come back soon” with “Yes, I will” at the end of the last show I saw him at in London in February, I really didn’t expect it to be quite this soon, but I’m so pleased it was. Davy and the guys get better and give a more polished performance each time I see them.
Duncan has written such a good review of the band's performance at the Glasgow show that I won’t try to match it and instead I’ll just concentrate on the venue and the specifics of the show.
Bush Hall is a beautiful Art Deco building circa 1905 with lots of ornate plasterwork. It holds around 300 with a small stage about 70cm or 2 ½ feet high. Although I was leaning on the stage immediately in front of PK and it was difficult to see exactly how many were there, I’d estimate around 250 across all age groups.
Davy, PK and Steven appeared on stage at 9.25pm and, as at the previous shows on this tour, launched into a blistering Tear Down The Walls followed by Riverbed. The setlist was slightly different to the Glasgow gig with Outside Woman Blues replacing You Don’t Love Me. The full setlist is below:
After Riverbed, Davy and the rest of us were in hysterics when a female member of the audience yelled out “I’m Saving Myself, Davy”. 
Davy said that must be the heckle of the tour. 
Following Coming Up For Air and a stunning Outside Woman Blues Davy said that after a few months of gigging in the US he started to think he was getting the hang of this guitar playing and was doing ok. Then he came across Warren Haynes and realised there was still a lot to learn. So Davy and I have one thing in common, we’re both in awe of the great man. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooders_pi … 335187475/
As a very big Mule and ABB fan, it was great to hear Davy’s interpretation of Worried Down and I hope it will remain in the set and develop into a classic.
To be honest I wasn’t too sure what to make of the new song, Catch The Moon on first hearing as it seems very different to Davy’s previous offerings. It’s good that Davy’s got some new material in the pipeline and I’m sure I will think differently if I hear it in another setting as the sound wasn’t the best standing immediately in front of PK – no offence meant.
All too soon Keep Searchin’ ended and it was into the epic Cut My Hair. This number is really developing a life of its own and is a great way to close the set. Davy’s guitar work is absolutely stunning on it and he really ‘goes for it’.
Disappearing backstage for a few minutes, Davy was back for the encore of Messin’ taken at the usual breakneck pace with some electrifying guitar runs. Looking almost completely knackered, Davy, Steven and PK said goodnight and sought sanctuary backstage for around 5 minutes before reappearing to meet and greet and sign CDs and DVDs. It’s a great PR exercise and long may it continue. 
I waited until nearly everyone had left before approaching the table and caught Davy’s eye. I’d been fortunate enough to pick up the setlist (I’ve got quite a collection now) and Davy and the guys kindly signed it for me. Evan spotted my BDS t-shirt and said he should take a photo for Davy’s website, so beware if you visit there. 
I gave Davy the copies of the forum threads to read on the flight back to the US and he was really appreciative being the humble and lovely guy he is.
Setlist:
Tear Down The Walls
Riverbed
Coming Up For Air
Outside Woman Blues
Worried Down With The Blues
Come Home
Catch The Moon and Run
Keep Searchin'
Almost Cut My Hair
Messin' With The Kid (encore)
I’ll try to get some pics up at the weekend. After two nights of gigs and only 4 hours sleep each night I’m feeling just a little tired.
Phil
“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56
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