The Davidson Trio – Follow You EP
In 2025 The Davidson Trio, featuring the vocally rangy Owen Davidson (bass, lead vocals), Ben Bicknell (guitars) and Ellis Brown (drums), released their debut album Cougar, described in review by FabricationsHQ as "a musical cocktail of old-school blues with a modern rock-blues mixer."
Positive as said review was, Cougar suffered in a couple of instances from basic lyrics, occasionally too on the standard blues-rock template nose and, on specific songs, leaning a little too heavily on Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Humble Pie and Joe Walsh's 'Rocky Mountain Way' for inspiration.
(Although to be fair that’s not a bad quartet to be wearing on your rock and blues sleeve).
However 5-track EP Follow You is proof that the band are now finding their songwriting feet via a bolder sound that carries a darker-edged tone, and much stronger, and more considered, lyricism.
Opener 'Mr Greasy Snake,' which lyrically points to those usually met in dark alleyways or offering false promises, is a riff-driven, grooving number that’s as feisty as Ben Bicknell’s guitar solo.
An impressive, angsty start.
Segueing directly from the opener is 'War,' a slow burn psychedelic-tinged blues that dramatically drops the tempo but not the intensity.
Another Davidson Trio nod to Robin Trower in his woozy-vibed 70s days, Owen Davidson’s huskier, soul-thick vocality (lyrically reflecting on the everyday battles of life and defending what you cherish) and Ben Bicknell’s crying solo are dual highlights.
'Disillusion' can’t quite match the opening brace but it’s echoey sonic, rhythmic groove and ever so slightly Hendrix-vibe ensure it still makes an impact, as does the lyric about a music industry that’s more about commerciality that actual craft (the staccato-riffed nod to RATM at the end is a particularly nice touch).
As the title doesn't so much suggest as proudly declare, the rockin’ 'Song For Phil' pays, and plays, homage to one of Ireland’s most famous, charismatic and sorely missed rock sons.
With twin-guitar melody line interjections, some decidedly Lynott-esque vocal phrasing from Owen Davidson and a tasty guitar solo from Ben Bicknell, 'Song For Phil' is a Lizzy-fied, rock and roll winner.
The EP closes out on the shimmering, modern slow blues burn of the title track.
Written for the debut album but inexplicably never used, 'Follow You,' with its Gary Moore influences, has most of its space filled by rhythm & lead guitar parts, yet still carries a sonic sparseness that allows Owen Davidson’s impassioned vocal plenty of space to breathe, complemented by equally impassioned soloing from Ben Bicknell.
Lyrically, 'Follow You' is a blues soliloquy to missing those that were once part of our lives, and associated loneliness ("just a shadow of the man I was before, I turn around and lock the door").
Follow You might be three songs shorter than Cougar, but it's impact is greater.
It's also a collection of songs that should see The Davidson Trio receiving even more attention.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Positive as said review was, Cougar suffered in a couple of instances from basic lyrics, occasionally too on the standard blues-rock template nose and, on specific songs, leaning a little too heavily on Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Humble Pie and Joe Walsh's 'Rocky Mountain Way' for inspiration.
(Although to be fair that’s not a bad quartet to be wearing on your rock and blues sleeve).
However 5-track EP Follow You is proof that the band are now finding their songwriting feet via a bolder sound that carries a darker-edged tone, and much stronger, and more considered, lyricism.
Opener 'Mr Greasy Snake,' which lyrically points to those usually met in dark alleyways or offering false promises, is a riff-driven, grooving number that’s as feisty as Ben Bicknell’s guitar solo.
An impressive, angsty start.
Segueing directly from the opener is 'War,' a slow burn psychedelic-tinged blues that dramatically drops the tempo but not the intensity.
Another Davidson Trio nod to Robin Trower in his woozy-vibed 70s days, Owen Davidson’s huskier, soul-thick vocality (lyrically reflecting on the everyday battles of life and defending what you cherish) and Ben Bicknell’s crying solo are dual highlights.
'Disillusion' can’t quite match the opening brace but it’s echoey sonic, rhythmic groove and ever so slightly Hendrix-vibe ensure it still makes an impact, as does the lyric about a music industry that’s more about commerciality that actual craft (the staccato-riffed nod to RATM at the end is a particularly nice touch).
As the title doesn't so much suggest as proudly declare, the rockin’ 'Song For Phil' pays, and plays, homage to one of Ireland’s most famous, charismatic and sorely missed rock sons.
With twin-guitar melody line interjections, some decidedly Lynott-esque vocal phrasing from Owen Davidson and a tasty guitar solo from Ben Bicknell, 'Song For Phil' is a Lizzy-fied, rock and roll winner.
The EP closes out on the shimmering, modern slow blues burn of the title track.
Written for the debut album but inexplicably never used, 'Follow You,' with its Gary Moore influences, has most of its space filled by rhythm & lead guitar parts, yet still carries a sonic sparseness that allows Owen Davidson’s impassioned vocal plenty of space to breathe, complemented by equally impassioned soloing from Ben Bicknell.
Lyrically, 'Follow You' is a blues soliloquy to missing those that were once part of our lives, and associated loneliness ("just a shadow of the man I was before, I turn around and lock the door").
Follow You might be three songs shorter than Cougar, but it's impact is greater.
It's also a collection of songs that should see The Davidson Trio receiving even more attention.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ