Out of the Mailbag, Comes Songs & Stories: Ashley Davis Band: When the Stars Went Out, 2020
14 tracks, 63 minutes.
Review by John O’Brien, Jr.
When the stars went out in our lives, and love shimmers in a different light, do our dreams reflect what could be, or merely our fantasies? Ashley and gang take a look at love, lovers, society rules and how little our heart listens to those rules, when love’s promise overtakes what other people want “for us.”
When the Stars Went Out took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting anything in particular, but the love songs throughout I wasn’t expecting either. Deeply emotional, these are the exact style of song I think Ashley rocks the most, and she rocks so many genres of ballads – her voice is so perfectly suited to introspection, for touching emotions you may want to explore, and learn from, for the singer, and the listener.
Even though these songs are tinged with a bit of sorrow, of regret, and the evolution of the singer and the subject, the whole album is perhaps, a celebration, or at least recognition, of how we learn and grow in our lives and in our relationships.
Colin, Dave, Will, Duncan, Heidi, John, Kevin, Mick, Shane, … the full list is below, but with that level of gifted performers in the band and guesting on this CD, paired with such a gifted singer/songwriter, When the Stars Went Out was predestined to be great, and fully lives up to its destiny. I understand the ache.
Although it may be best suited to listen to when the light go out, or maybe with candles or some other form of fire for you, I am quite sure there will be grooves worn into this CD, as I listen to it where I do my best thinking and medicating, I mean meditating, while driving. Music is truly the best form of medicating anyway.
To hear more from and about Ashley, subscribe to the iIrish Songs, Stories & Shenanigans Podcast Episode14: When the Stars Went Out, with special guest Ashley Davis, available on iTunes, WhkRadio.com/Local Podcasts or OhioIANews.com.
Ashley Davis Band is:
Ashley Davis on vocals; Dave Curley on Acoustic guitar, Mandolin, Bodhran, Banjo, vocals; Colin Farrell on Fiddle, Low whistle; Will MacMorran on Electric guitar, Acoustic guitar, Bouzouki, Percussion, Bass, Pipes, & Accordion; Duncan Wickel on Strings, Cello, Tenor Guitar; with special guests Shawn Colvin, Tim O’Brien, Heidi Talbot, Tony Furtado, Stephanie Schneiderman, Shane Hennessy, John Doyle, Simon Chrisman, Nicholas Falk, Mick McCauley, Kevin Crawford, and Damien Mullane.
Check out Daisy Rings Music AshleyDavisBand.com
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