Roger Davies with the Durbervilles
Album: Stephanie
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 2
Website: http://www.rogerdaviesmusic.com

The first time I saw Roger Davies was when he was doing a floor spot at the Topic Folk Club a number of years ago. He has since become one of my favourite singer - songwriters with his songs being carefully balanced between humour and pathos and many including local references. Roger's live appearances never fail to enchant his audiences and a recent performance at the Castle Hotel in Bradford confirmed this once again.

Roger's latest single contains two versions of one of his more recent songs - a tale of his love for a girl from Warley Town (a village on the edge of Halifax), the eponymous Stephanie. I have to admit that until now this hasn't been one of my favourite of Roger's songs but that has changed forever with this single.

One is used to hearing Roger accompanied by just his guitar (or in the case of his classic 'Brighouse on A Saturday Night' the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band) so the opening of the first version (the radio edit) of the song comes as a shock - but a very pleasant one indeed! The full force of the Durbervilles crashes in with Dave Crickmore's excellent guitar playing particularly prominent - this creates a highly charged atmosphere which is maintained throughout. Repeated listens help to confirm what a finely constructed and mixed arrangement this is - soaring guitar solos, rippling grand piano lines, subtle accordion (yes really) and driving bass, drums, mandolin and guitar all creating a rock solid foundation for Roger's voice and harmonica to sail over - always confident but never strident. The drop at the end with just the piano remaining is lovely and provides a much needed chill out zone after the thrilling ride of the song.

The second track is an extended version of the song which features a piano introduction - enjoyable but I think that Roger and the band get it right first time with the radio edit.

I am very much hoping that Roger will record more of his songs with the Durbervilles - on the basis of this single it would seem to be a match made in musical heaven.

Joe Grint