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Mr.
Davison is a fingerstyle instrumental guitarist who composes on both
the 6- and 12-string guitars. An aging hipster, his musical career
began at the age of 12 playing drums in rock and roll bands.
At the
tender age of 19 he saw a performance on solo acoustic guitar by
an artist named Thom Ward (who he would really like to find!) in
Denton, Texas. He put down the sticks and picked up the guitar
to begin a life long journey of discovery.
He realized (too late according
to some) that he could not sing so he turned to solo instrumental
music. His compositions are built on simple melodic structures that
focus on the intimacy of the guitar and the tonal possibilities of
alternative tunings that give the guitar such extraordinary range.
His
influences range from the jazz stylings of Claudio Burson (who taught
him what was musical and what wasn’t) to
the guitar work of Leo Kottke, Ed Gerhard, Pat Kirtley and Ansgar
Dalken.
Mr. Davison is a two-time finalist and 2005 Solo Competition winner
at the Arkansas Acoustic Festival Showdown at the University of Central
Arkansas and has appeared at the Acoustic Sounds Café, Peace
Acoustic Café and other acoustic music venues around Arkansas.
“Steve's music possesses, to my mind and
ear, the most gratifying quality that music of any style or age
can have, be it classical, jazz, folk, or any other: it feels like
‘home.’ It
is simple and sophisticated at the same time. It suggests
heart-felt portraits while remaining beautifully abstract.
Its beauty is timeless and
contrastingly earthy, deeply rooted in rich tones and rhythms,
with strong melodies and elegant harmonies. Each theme takes
you on a journey yet gives you the sense of never leaving home,
of sitting near a warm hearth, of digging into a delicious
home-cooked meal. I did not listen to ‘of woods and water’
a first time; I listened twice in succession the ‘first
time.’ His
artistry and technique are genuine, and they are soul-satisfying.”
-
Sharon Douglas
(Sharon Douglas is an entertainer who has performed
at the New York Friar's Club, Washington Press Club's Salute to Congress
Dinner and the legendary cabaret and jazz room, "Pizza in the Park." She
is known for writing songs, parodies, and satire, which won her the
Backstage Bistro Award for Musical Comedy Award.)
“Cafes and other venues
ought to be booking the 52-year-old Davison. His two songs, 'Of
Woods and Water' and 'Bayou Bartholomew Blues' electrified
the crowd at the Arkansas Acoustic Music Festival. It is really
good to see someone at the top of their game.”
-
Jim Harris, Music Critic and Entertainment Editor, Arkansas Times
Review
of Steve Davison winning solo competition at the 2005 Arkansas
Acoustic Music Festival
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