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Dyer Davis—Kiss The Ring—Valley Rose / Big
Wing Records

Dyer Davis is an American singer-songwriter and
guitarist known for his electrifying performances
and a sound deeply rooted in southern blues rock.
“Kiss The Ring” is his second album to date.

The album opens with ‘I Ain’t Lyin’ a fast and grun-

gy guitar riff based blues whilst ‘Pass It Over’ has
some more rocking guitar. The title track ‘Kiss My
Ring’ let’s Dyer express his views on the The Blues
Foundation Organisation (interesting stuff!) and at times the song has a feel of Gary
Clark Jr. about it.

‘Around The Bend’ has a nice Americana vibe to it with a more gentle melodic feel

to the vocals and his banjo playing really adds to the overall feel, I really like this
one. ‘Damned’ is an easy going blues rock tune whilst ‘Brackish Water’ gives us
some more guitar riff driven blues.

‘Have Mercy’ is more of a piano led Americana ballad brought to life with some nice
pedal steel guitar work from Sawyer Swihart. Dyer rips out some guitar on ‘Laying
On The Floor’ whist the tune ‘Baby’ has hints of Lynyrd Skynyrd before the album
closes with the very personal and heartfelt song, ‘Enough Is Enough’.

This album is well put together with well constructed songs, good musicianship and
a good overall well produced feel to it. I think the subtle touches of keyboards from
Warren Beck whether that be electric piano or organ really adds some spice to the
music throughout the album and lifts things up a notch. Dyer himself tends to keep
his guitar work simple and to the point and has a good vocal range that shines on
the more Americana / Country rock type songs. Southern blues rock seems to be

very much in vogue at the moment so this album could well have some success
beyond the boundaries of the blues world so please give this a spin.

Ged Wilson

Doug MacLeod—Between Somewhere And

Goodbye—Reference Recordings

Doug MacLeod is an American storytelling blues

musician well known over here in the UK for his
engaging live performances.

The album opens with ‘Memphis In Your Soul’ a
cool stripped back blues. The title track ‘Between
Somewhere And Goodbye’ has some great spiritu-
al lyrics, really liked this one. There is a nice soul-