The Dave Davies Band ~ 1999 February 10 ~ Sit 'n Bull Pub ~ Maynard, MA
Band Personnel: Dave Davies, lead vocals, lead guitar; Jim Laspesa, drums and backing vocals; David Jenkins, bass and backing vocals; David Nolte, guitar, keyboards, harmonica, backing vocals
Set List
Till The End of the Day - I Need You - Susannah's Still Alive - Creeping Jean - Milk Cow Blues - Unfinished Business - Soothe Sayer - Death of a Clown - All Day & All of the Night - Picture Book - Climb Your Wall - There is No Life Without Love - This Man He Weeps Tonight - Young & Innocent Days - Fortis Green - Living on a Thin Line - I'm Not Like Everybody Else - Father Christmas - Money - David Watts - You Really Got Me
Concert Review
Back to the Sit 'n Bull for the second show in two nights. During this tour I am very much enjoying a couple of lesser known songs that Dave has added to his set list, including the new song "Soothe Sayer" from his album Purusha and the Spiritual Planet and "Climb Your Wall," a Dave obscurity from the 1960s.
Dave webmaster, Chris Locke, filmed tonight's show for broadcast on the website (davedavies.com). I snapped one picture of him (in the photo gallery, below).
Some of the more familiar songs have taken on new life with this band. An example is "There is No Life Without Love." The song sparkles with Dave and Dave Nolte's country jam at the beginning and end of the song, and Dave Jenkins' low register vocal provides stability for the lightness of the song. I would say that this is the one song that is the most improved from the album version.
Guitar tech/roadie Nathan had to do some quick work tonight. Dave's music stand on which he keeps lyrics collapsed, and of course it collapsed during a new song ("Soothe Sayer"). Nathan gestured to superfan Leslie, in the front row, to hold up Dave's lyric book while Nathan ran backstage and fixed the music stand with some tape. What was interesting about this incident was that it proved Dave knows the lyrics to "Soothe Sayer" -- for two verses the wrong lyrics were in front of him, and he just sang them, from memory, with no apparent concern about making a mistake. That music stand is really just a security blanket.
Not all the lyrics in all the songs are terribly convincing. "This man he weeps tonight" .... oh sure, Dave, then why are you grinning ear to ear and leering at the girls in the front row? I don't see any tears during this crowd pleasing number.
A few comments about the band members, all of whom are independent musicians from the Los Angeles area. The most steadfast member of the band is Jim Laspesa, known for his dynamic drumming, sweet harmony singing especially on "See My Friends" and "Young and Innocent Days," and the great musician faces he makes, especially during "Milk Cow Blues." The charming and multitalented Dave Nolte has been promoted to a full-time member of the band (last tour he was part roadie, part backing musician); he's known for his enthusiasm, excellent guitar playing (especially during the time Dave has the acoustic guitar out), and his beautiful keyboard playing on tunes such as "Soothe Sayer," "Living on a Thin Line," and "Unfinished Business." Dave Jenkins fills out the quartet; a superb bass player with great backing vocals when the song needs a "Ray voice." And let's not forget Nathan Segal, serving full time as guitar tech/roadie, a California blonde with a big smile and a friendly, unflustered disposition.
One more character appearing on stage with the band is Kate the Kat (not to be confused with Kate the tour manager). It has become a tradition of the Raving Dave Fan Kollective to attempt to completely crack Dave up with meows at the mention of the kat in "Fortis Green," and now Dave has acquired this stuffed animal toy to make an appearance during the meowing. Check the photo gallery (link below) to see Kate the Kat's picture.
More Dave
Here is a page with a handy list of links to all pages on this website with content relating to Dave Davies and other members of The Kinks.