Straight outta Lunenburg: musician finds home in Maritimes
Born in the States, musician Morgan Davis has brought his songs all over the world during his three decades of playing, even alongside the likes of legend Muddy Waters (“ he taught me one of his tunes in a hotel room”, says Davis), and many other legends. Nowadays he’s in the middle of a tour (which will see central Newfoundland as well as the Avalon soon), though otherwise settled in Nova Scotia, having just finished his seventh solo record, “At Home In Nova Scotia”, fittingly.
Davis says the album is a “real departure from [his] previous stuff”, albeit a very necessary one.
“I just started writing stuff about my neighborhood – just had to get this out of my system I guess, and it turned out to be a "Thank you" to all the fine friends I have made here as well as a love letter to the province. It still has a bluesy
feel, but I am aiming to sell it just in the Maritimes, because it is such a regional collection.”
The liner notes talk of how vital music is to Nova Scotia’s identity, in which Davis gratefully acknowledges (and dedicates the album to) the people that make the place and the music what it is: “The musicians I’ve met here are generous, warm and down to earth. I’m blessed and honoured to have their help on these songs.”
The final track, “Bluenose On My License Plate”, is anthemic in a country community sort of way, so it works very well that Davis brought on board many guests: Rita McNeil, Lenny Gallant, Bruce Githro, Matt Minglewood, Garrett Mason, Roger Howse, Mary Jane Lamond. The ending gives way to an improv bit with Trailer Park Boys’ “Leahy” (John Dunsworth), where they jokingly talk about the song. Dunsworth even offers his pipes! It really rounds out that homely feeling on the record, giving it that extra touch.
Interestingly, as much as Davis as travelled, Nova Scotia is the only place he’s felt this good in.
“Although I have no family ties or history in Nova Scotia, it is the first time I have felt like I am "home". The people and the geography have got a hold on me and I will be here for the rest of my life. Considering I have always been a city boy (Detroit, Los Angeles, Toronto) living in the woods of Lunenburg County has been a profound change – I became a country boy overnight, and I ain’t leavin’!”
He’s played in Newfoundland several times before (several gigs at the Fat Cat), but never before in Gander, which he’ll be playing October 17, in Legends bar. The 19 and 20 will mark his return to the Fat Cat.
“I love visiting and playing in Newfoundland,” he says. “It is a unique part of the Maritimes which I have made my home now for the past seven years.”