Snake Davis
@ the PizzaExpress Jazz Club
21 May 2010

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Desert Island Discs

Which 2 albums would you take with you to a desert island?

King Curtis – Live at the Filmore
Van Morrison – Astral Weeks

Biography

Manchester based Chris 'Snake' Davis is renown for his formidable sax sessions with pop giants M-People, Lisa Stansfield, Jamiroquai, George Michael and Paul McCartney to name just a few. His soul sessions include artists such as, Odyssey, Chaka Khan, Edwin Starr and Syreeta. Not forgetting his television appearances, which include ‘Later With Jools Holland', 'National Lottery Show' and 'Tonight With Jonathon Ross'.

Review

The above-condensed resume is impressive. I first met Snake in January 2005 and witnessed an extremely memorable ‘Northern Soul affair’ which included Snake (saxophone / vocals) as well as fellow band members Jackie Reid (vocals) Doreen Edwards (vocals) and Paul Birchall (Hammond organ / keyboards) to name a few. This time round Snake’s band had a leaner stage presence (personnel wise) but less definitely means more in this instance as I could hear ‘and feel’ more ‘soul’ than before. There is no doubt that Snake has had a soul injection!

Snake Davis was able to get many up and out of their seats 5 years ago. This time round all the PizzaExpress seats were redundant. A feat rarely achieved within the tidy floor space of this intimate club!

Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd.