Blues band entertains large audience at downtown bar

By Megan Finnerty
Features Editor

As audience members rose to their feet Friday night clapping and shouting, Governor Davis loped between the crowded tables coaxing blues riffs from his guitar.

At the Knickerbocker’s CD release party for Governor Davis and the Blues Ambassadors’ second release, "Live," the "Governor" gave his fans what they came for: jokes, driving blues music and a chance to be a part of the show.

After working the 200-strong crowd, Davis jumped onto a table to serenade several thrilled blues fan; this was an indicator of things to come.

The crowd of mostly college students clapped and sang as much as the band while Davis and his ambassadors ripped through blues standards such as "The Girl Can’t Help It," "I Got the Blues" and "Wild About It."

Davis commanded the stage in a glossy brown suit draped over his broad, tall frame. A brown and yellow geometric tie set off his starched white shirt, looking every part a diplomat, a stylish diplomat.

He laughed as the fans responded to his call and response songs. Davis hollered, "Baby, help me," and the audience replied, "We’re gonna help you."

"Live" was recorded on a similar night at the Knickerbocker a year ago and Davis said he and his band always have the best time at Indiana’s oldest bar. During the set break, fans trickled to the stage, thrusting copies of the new CD for Davis to autograph.

"I’m a big fan; I have both of their CDs," said Justin "The Flash" Allison, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts. "I’ve seen them every time they’ve been in town since I turned 21. They’re a great show; I mean, he plays with his teeth."

Allison is such a big fan that he convinced several other people to come to the smoky bar Friday night.

"I talk them up all the time," he said. "See that table there, that whole table, I made them come here."

And although Davis didn’t play with his teeth, he did entertain the audience with several non—traditional blues songs. It wasn’t a night of cry—in—your—beer blues; it was a night of light—hearted blues.

Singing a song about requests fans have made during shows, Davis yelled, "And suddenly someone called out from the audience … ‘Whaaaassup?’" The room broke into a chorus of "whaaaaassups and laughter until Davis got the room under control again and finished the song.

Davis rocked through originals and classics, voice and body trembling with emotion, face crumpling with agony at some lost love, some cruel woman, some horrid luck.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am the Governor," Davis said in his rich, deep voice. "I came to Lafayette to bring you the ‘Live’ CD that you wanted. We recorded it right here and we had a good night that night … And tonight we want you to have a real good time."

And they did.

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Features editor:
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