Auch well - anyone that's up for a singalong at times - but mostly it's solo with a few outrageously talented people making my wee songs sound greater than their raw state off and on.
Influences
Here's some of those that I admire greatly (and it's by no means exhaustive) - as an electic mix I guess they all inflence what I do:- Richard Thompson, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Paul Brady, Pierce Pettis, Buddy Miller, Rich Mullins, Van Morrison, The Waterboys, Martin Simpson, Hothouse Flowers, Iain Archer, Martyn Joseph, C.S.Lewis, U2, WB Yeats, Seamus Heaney, Karine Polwart, Cowboy Junkies, Gerard Manley-Hopkins, John Renbourne, Mindy Smith, Patrick Kavanagh, John Stott, Jars Of Clay, Andrew Peterson, Sandra McCracken, Yvonne Lyon, Rob Halligan, Pete Ryder, STB.
I'm a singer, guitarist, lryic loving, protest type, activist with a few songs to boot. Yep - played with him and her and those folks and them, recorded with so and so etc, blah-blah. Basically I'm human and have all the charateristics that go along with it - puts me in a good position to draw attention to the plight of other humans with greater or lesser things to face......and because I'm no speaker - I say it with music !!
KEEP DROPPING BY !!!
REVIEWS
THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
Wow! I had never heard of Gareth Davies-Jones until I received this disc. After listening to this disc's politically commentary and unflinching critiques of those who would call themselves Christians without actually showing it, I now consider myself a fan. Think Derek Webb. Think Keith Green and Rich Mullins. Think T-Bone Burnett and Bill Mallonee. Vocally, Jones is more difficult to compare – at times every folk singer you've ever heard comes through, at others David Gray, Mark Knopfler, Chris Rice, and Derek Webb. "Hard Reality" serves as a summary for the entire album – Jones is bringing truth here, and forces the listener to face up to it, ignoring the uneasy feeling that comes along with brutal honesty. "Money Goes Round" poses questions about war, and its purpose, reminding us that "no one can serve two masters". "On the Face of It" probes us to look past initial appearances, and to make sure we have the real picture of things. Only for a Short While caught me completely off guard. I can only hope Gareth Davies-Jones achieves the same purpose with other listeners. - Brian A. Smith
THE COURANT
Wylam based guitarist and composer Gareth Davies-Jones dedicates his musical talents to a very good cause – several of them, in fact. Gareth’s new CD, Only for a Short While, has just been released and its contents are designed to raise awareness of big issues. This is the fourth release for Gareth – a singer-songwriter in the Bob Dylan, protest song tradition. He tackles questions like climate change, the immoralities of the global economy and the hellish lives of asylum seekers. But his tunes are so melodic and his voice so lyrical that you never feel preached at. In Gareth’s song, Asylum, he mourns: “The state is blind and we’ve been cast, as a brand new form of underclass...” In Upside Down, he warns: “Show them love not retribution. Start a revolution...” The lyrics are intense and the aims worthy, but this is an album you could relax to in the small hours, soothed by the mellow vocal tones and letting the smooth guitar riffs roll over you. Gareth plays and sings all over the UK in association with the FairTrade Music organisation, set up to give musicians of all nations a fair deal. He also works with Christian Aid and Traidcraft.
Fatea Showcase Sessions
Another one of my songs "Borderland" from the new album "Water & Light" is one of fifteen tracks available on the Fatea Showcase Session: Songsmiths. It will run from May 1st 08 to July 31st. Click on the link below and download the free album.
http://www. fatea-showcase-sessions. co. uk
hey mate, you remember we met about 3 yrs ago at newwine harrogate?- more than anything i recall your conviction for fairplay and your fantastic singing/ songwriting, not to mention guitar playing! yours, Darren.
Hi Gareth, I just had a listen to Breath and think its superb. The lyrics and music are fabulous and is that Esther I hear doing the backing vocals? Well done, Love Willemina x
