Dave Davies Puts Own Twist On Kinks Songs
By Chuck Crisafulli
Los Angeles Times - April 30 1997
In the Kinks' heyday, guitarist Dave Davies seemed to be the band's barely
contained, hard-rocking id, cast against his brother Ray's pop-philosopher superego.
The old id was fully unleashed last week when Dave turned up for a club gig as leader
of his own band. With a mischievous grin that never faded and guitar firmly in hand,
the younger Davies was a happily crazed master showman, blasting through R&B
standards, some new songs and, of course, a variety of Kinks klassics.
Backed by an exceptionally solid quartet, he made the most of his chance to sing
lead. His distinctively high-pitched, about-to-pop vocal approach added appropriate
grit and drama to such tunes as "Milk Cow Blues" and "Death of a Clown."
And his skills as a guitarist are undiminished. His spare, bluesy approach to solos
made every note count sweetly, and when he careened into fast-fingered exclamations,
it was a garage-rock epiphany.
The set proved to be a great opportunity to hear some wonderful Kinks tunes long
left out of the band's own concerts. Instead of pawing at "Lola" one more
time, Davies aced versions of "Get Back In the Line," "Strangers"
and "Susannah's Still Alive."
Of course, there's good reason some favorites are favorites, and Davies wasn't about
to deny his crowd its fun.: The show ended with satisfyingly frenzied charges at
"All Day and All of the Night," "You Really Got Me" and "David
Watts."
By Chuck Crisafulli - Los Angeles Times, April 30 1997
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