RUE DAVIS

A Lonely Man by RUE DAVIS

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Rue Davis

Daddy B. Nice's #65 ranked Southern Soul Artist


Performer, producer and arranger Rue Davis flies beneath the musical radar, even for listeners schooled in Southern Soul music. A contributor to countless Southern Soul R&B discs, with a subtle but far-reaching influence on his peers, Davis himself has never been able to snag a solo contract with a Southern Soul "major" label like Malaco, Ecko or Mardi Gras.

Davis has a tune on his Dapp Daddy CD called "(We Were) Taylor Made," in which he sounds like the reincarnation of Johnnie Taylor. It's a reminder that Taylor remains Davis's (and many other contemporary Southern Soul artists') principal influence.

The song "Take Me Back To Farish Street" from the same Dapp Daddy disc (Knock On Wood, 2003) sounds a little like "fluff"--pop--on the first couple of listenings, but like "Honey Poo" it ages well. It also suggests a "sound" Rue Davis might explore further, to bring his artistic identity out from the long shadow cast by Taylor.

That being said, Rue Davis is steeped in the Southern Soul scene--he is a thoroughly seasoned performer.