Davis Coen is a fine contemporary bluesman, his soul steeped in the tradition, with feet moving forward. He's a better than average guitarist playing electric, a little slide and some acoustic. His harmonica playing is good, with potential to be very good. It's his singing that some might find derivative. Although by no means mediocre, he'll sound, at times, being influenced by Ray Davies, Bob Dylan or Mark Knopfler. Coen has written five of the thirteen tracks, and they are probably the least effective. But when he covers classics like the Chicago blues tinged "Kansas City," "Rooster Blues" or a neat take of John Lee Hooker's "Mambo Chillun," you know you are listening to a player who is, at heart, into real blues. This is reinforced by the best number, Coen's straight, cool "Two-Timer's Blues," and further cemented by the acoustic standard "Lay Me a Pallet on Your Floor" done as a shuffle. Also included is Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock," an expectedly funky take on Allen Toussaint's "Yes We Can Can" (yes, the one made famous by the Pointer Sisters.) done à la Eric Clapton, while his acoustic version of Junior Kimbrough's "I'm In Love with You," can stand favorably next to anything Kelly Joe Phelps does. A folky or country twang is heard here and there, but there's nothing remotely poppish. This CD was recorded in North Carolina for the New Orleans based 219 label, so one would expect good results. Thing is, the title Ill Disposition is not remotely evoked, not even in the slightest. Nothing is ill mannered on this well played delight of a contemporary blues recording. Recommended.
© Michael G. Nastos /TiVo