Free At Noon Flashback: A packed house welcomes blues rocker Davy Knowles

Davy Knowles | Photo by John Vettese for WXPN

In the spirit of giving thanks, Helen Leicht started today’s Free at Noon by introducing Yards Brewing CEO Tom Kehoe, who earlier this month helped to raise $10,000 for Musicians on Call through the Yards Brawlerfest. On the memo line of the giant check that Kehoe presented was the hashtag #BrewUntoOthers, the local brewing company’s mantra that spreads a much-needed message of community involvement and betterment.

Also in the spirit of giving thanks, a near-capacity crowd welcomed blues rock musician Davy Knowles to World Cafe Live for an end-of tour midday concert. The Isle of Man native is currently supporting Three Miles from Avalon, his second solo effort following a popular career with Back Door Slam. Knowles wasted no time making sure we knew what he was there to do – and that was to blow our turkey- (or tofurkey-) filled socks off with blistering guitar solos and the well-crafted, American blues inspired songs from Avalon.

Knowles treated the well-versed crowd to the smokey, soulful organ-lead “Falling Apart,” the southern rock twang of “Never Gonna Be the Same,” and the narrative murder ballad “Oxford, MS,” smiling each time someone yelled out “hot!” and “outta sight!” in response to his bold toned guitar solos (which was a lot). Set closer “What In the World” was a straight blues number that started out downtempo but built into a several minute-long instrumental break, giving Knowles the extra room to show off his guitar as truly a second voice. Fret and string tricks conversed with an impressive and playful keyboard solo while the Grainger brothers held down the low end. A surprise cover of “Cortez the Killer” by Neil Young wrapped up the lunchtime performance, though the audience would have happily stayed through dinner to hear more.

Check out photos above and listen to audio of the concert below. Davy Knowles returns for a show at the Sellersville Theater on January 19th; tickets and information can be found here.

Setlist
Ain’t Much Of Nothin’
What You’re Made Of
Falling Apart
Never Gonna Be the Same
Gov’t Row
Oxford, MS
Three Miles From Avalon
What In the World

Encore: Cortez the Killer (Neil Young cover)