Strings and Soul: How Debbie Davies Helped Me Fall in Love with the Blues All Over Again
There’s a certain joy that hits when you hear a guitarist who doesn’t just play well—they play with feel. That’s how I felt the first time I heard Debbie Davies. It was her cover of “Percolatin’” off her Loose Tonight! album, and right from the opening bars, her tone hit me like sunshine after rain: warm, smooth, full of personality.
I remember thinking, Wait… who is this? And why haven’t I been listening to her for years?
Turns out I’d been missing out on one of the most soulful, tasteful, and criminally underrated blues guitarists of the last few decades.
From California to the Blues Big Leagues
Born in Los Angeles in 1952, Debbie Davies came up through a West Coast blues scene that was all about groove, tone, and authenticity. She cut her teeth playing guitar in bar bands before landing a spot with Albert Collins’ Icebreakers in the late 1980s.
That’s right—Albert freakin’ Collins, the Master of the Telecaster, hand-picked her to be in his band. If that doesn’t tell you something about her chops, I don’t know what will.
But Debbie didn’t stop there. She built a solo career that’s spanned decades, packed with killer albums, razor-sharp playing, and some of the most tasteful phrasing this side of B.B. King.
Her Style: Smooth, Sharp, and Full of Soul
Debbie doesn’t play like she’s out to prove something. She plays like she’s got nothing to prove—just something to share. Her tone is buttery but bold. Her solos are clean, melodic, and always say something. No noodling. No empty flash. Just feel.
She’s got that rare ability to make a guitar sing, laugh, or cry—sometimes all in the same solo. Whether she’s playing slow and moody or up-tempo and funky, you can hear her personality in every note.
And when she sings? It’s honest, unpretentious, and full of warmth. She doesn’t try to overpower you—she draws you in.
The Albums That Converted Me
Debbie Davies’ discography is a goldmine, especially if you love the kind of blues that grooves as much as it moves. Here are a few must-hear records that got me hooked:
- 🎸 Loose Tonight! (1994) – Her breakout solo album, and an instant classic. Full of fire, taste, and toe-tapping swing.
- 🔥 Tales from the Austin Motel (2007) – Recorded in Texas and soaked in that gritty, roadhouse vibe. Raw and real.
- 🎤 Love Spin (2015) – One of her most emotional and musically diverse albums. Features touches of soul, funk, and slow-burning blues.
- 🕺 I Got That Feeling (1997) – A tribute to Albert Collins, and one of the most heartfelt blues records of the ‘90s.
She’s also collaborated with greats like Duke Robillard, Tab Benoit, and Tommy Shannon, always bringing her A-game and lifting the whole band in the process.
Seeing Her Live: Blues with Class and Fire
I saw Debbie Davies live once at a blues fest in the early 2000s, and I still remember how natural she looked onstage. No gimmicks. No big speech. Just a Telecaster, a killer rhythm section, and a woman who knew exactly how to hold a crowd with a single bend.
She’d step up to the mic with a smile, tell a funny story, then dive into a slow 12-bar that had people swaying and closing their eyes. When she lit into a solo, it wasn’t about speed—it was about feel.
That’s her magic—she doesn’t just play for you, she plays with you.
Why Debbie Davies Still Deserves a Spotlight
In a blues world often dominated by flashy playing and louder-is-better thinking, Debbie Davies is a master of restraint, feel, and groove. She’s not out to break records—she’s out to serve the song.
She’s been quietly building a legacy of authenticity and artistry, proving that women in blues don’t have to scream or shred to be taken seriously. They just have to be real—and Debbie is as real as it gets.

She also continues to mentor and uplift other artists, keeping the blues community alive and thriving.
Where to Start If You’re New
Here’s your Debbie Davies starter kit:
- 💿 Loose Tonight! – Her signature sound. Classic.
- 🎧 Love Spin – For the more emotional, modern side.
- 🔊 Tales from the Austin Motel – Raw, roadhouse magic.
- 🥁 I Got That Feeling – A must-hear tribute to her roots.
And definitely check out any live footage you can find—Debbie on stage is where the heart of her blues really shines.
More at debbiedavies.com
Debbie Davies doesn’t play the blues for attention. She plays it for connection. And every time she picks up a guitar, she reminds me why I fell in love with this music in the first place—because when it’s real, it stays with you. And Debbie? She’s as real as it gets.
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