George Harrison

Davy Knowles returns to the UK

Davy Knowles returns to the UK. Britain’s most ferocious roots guitarist since the heyday of the Yardbirds, 22-year-old Isle Of Man-born Davy Knowles returns to the UK with his band Back Door Slam for a special headline gig at The 100 Club on the 9th February and a performance at the Next Big Thing festival on 11th February.

His last London show at the Borderline in October 2009 saw the venue completely packed out with relatively little advance press. For a blues artist, one would expect a mature audience, but Davy’s crowd was completely mixed, with both young girls and blues experts standing in awe of his guitar wizardry. It’s not surprising considering he has spent two years wowing audiences in every state of the US and supporting legends such as Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynrd and Chickenfoot.

His debut UK album ‘Coming Up For Air’ was released in November last year by Blixstreet Records and was met with critical acclaim at press, radio, and online. The album was produced by Grammy Award winning guitarist Peter Frampton and features the crème de la crème of musical talent on it such as Fritz Lewak (drums) and Kevin McCormick on bass (Jackson Browne’s rhythm section), respected British singer and Richard Thompson band member Christine Collister on backing vocals, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ Benmont Tench on keyboards. The album features 11 brand new studio tracks and one cover of ‘Hear Me Lord’ by George Harrison.

The Isle of Man native is proving that blues/rock guitar could very well be the next big thing with a style that unites young and old blues followers. The ever-expanding army of Davy Knowles fans will surely agree!

London Dates:

9th February – 100 Club, London
11th February – Next Big Thing Festival @ Upstairs at The Relentless Garage

www.davyknowles.com
www.myspace.com/davyknowlesbackdoorslam

Two weeks on top for Kasabian album

Kasabian have extended their reign at the top of the UK albums chart, notching up a second week at number one with West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. Paolo Nutini remains at two with Sunny Side Up, while Bruce Springsteen’s latest Greatest Hits collection climbs from seven to three. Let It Roll, the first ever career-spanning compilation of George Harrison’s solo work, is the highest new entry of the week, landing at four. US pop trio Jonas Brothers also debut inside the top ten this week, bowing at nine with Lines, Vines And Trying Times.

The top ten albums in full (click where possible for our reviews):

1. (1) Kasabian: ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’
2. (2) Paolo Nutini: ‘Sunny Side Up’
3. (7) Bruce Springsteen & E St Band: ‘Greatest Hits’
4. (-) George Harrison: ‘Let It Roll’
5. (4) Daniel Merriweather: ‘Love & War’
6. (16) Kings of Leon: ‘Only By The Night’
7. (10) Jim Reeves: ‘The Very Best Of’
8. (3) Black Eyed Peas: ‘The E.N.D.’
9. (-) Jonas Brothers: ‘Lines, Vines and Trying Times’
10. (13) Meat Loaf: ‘Hits Out Of Hell’

Bob Dylan to duet with Paul McCartney

Bob Dylan wants to duet with Sir Paul McCartney. The ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ singer – whose latest LP ‘Together Through Time’ is number one in the UK album chart – has named the former Beatles star as the artist he most wants to collaborate with. The 68-year-old musician said: “That would be exciting to do something with Paul. But you know your paths have to cross for something like that to make sense.’ Friends say 66-year-old McCartney – who has previously worked with Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Elvis Costello and recently declared Dylan his favourite living songwriter – would love to perform with Dylan. A source said: ‘This would obviously be a major moment in musical history if Bob and Paul got together and it’s quite likely that Paul will be interested.’ It would not be the first time Dylan has teamed up with a former Beatle. He was a member of supergroup the Traveling Wilburys with the late George Harrison in the 1980s. The band also featured Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Electric Light Orchestra star Jeff Lynne.