Photos by Jessie Lilley
David Paul Campbell graced the stage at O'Brien's Pub on Memorial Day, putting on an impressive show in several roles. Born in South Carolina, Campbell’s family moved to Southern California in time for David to learn how to surf, ride motorcycles and attend Santa Monica High. There he met Ry Cooder with whom he has crossed musical paths several times since including an introduction to Taj Mahal. Taj became a major influence as time went on, not to mention the fact that he taught Campbell how to play blues harp. He's played guitar with Delta Blues master Sam Chatmon as well as with Buddy Moss. Dave has appeared with numerous national touring acts including Chicago and others of that stature.

The evening began well and got better. One can tell when the pros are in the house for even the sound check sounds good. Campbell announced the evening's order of events thus making his first role that of MC. His trusty Taylor guitar plugged into a workhorse amp, he played and sang several songs. Those accustomed to Dave Campbell exclusively in his role as mandolin player and harmony melodist with Stephanie Bettman and the Boys would be surprised at the strength of his vocals, although none would be surprised by his ironclad mastery of a guitar neck.
In order to be successful, finger-picking must be exact and Dave kept a strong rhythm through intricate passages, never dropping a beat. David Campbell and Clint Black both sing and strum guitar and are extremely adept at picking when occasion demands. But although Black does a remarkable lot in terms of emotion with a voice that does not have great musical range, Campbell enjoys the advantage of great range as well as emotional expressivity. Sorry Clint.

Dave performed the Bob Dylan piece "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" as a tribute to a friend whose surprising death occurred earlier in the day. Campbell followed that with his own arrangement of Pete Seeger’s "Livin' in the Country” combined with the Robbie Bashô piece “Embryonic Journey," a medley he plans to record before the year is out.

Michael-Ann Azouli and her unique sound prepare to take the stage.
Dave’s rendition of "Vigilante Man" gave that Woody Guthrie folk tune a modern insight, just as Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" still speaks to today's audiences. Campbell's slide guitar work gave his Taylor wonderful overtones as he performed his own composition "Whisky in My Coffee" which showcased not only his vocal ability but his song-writing as well. His last solo tune was Luther Tatum’s "Revolving Door."


John O'Kennedy and Dave Campbell
Lots 'o pickin' but no grinnin'!

 After that short set Dave invited Americana talent Michael-Ann Azouli (a woman with a gloriously distinctive and well-developed voice) up on stage. Her down home guitar style was learned in her Missouri background. Their duet "Fisherman's Blues" (by Mike Scott and the Waterboys) provided fine, very refreshing close harmony as did their next number together, a tribute Michael-Ann wrote in homage to her Ozark background, named “Heavy Load.”

Next, John O'Kennedy on acoustic guitar was invited up. O'Kennedy plays electric guitar with the local group The Tipsy Kings and has a master's touch with the acoustic as well. In their renditions of C. Atkins' "Windy and Warm" and Gram Parson's "Hickory Wind," John showed himself as a consummate musical illustrator, adding shadings, trills and embellishments, to create a delightfully
nuanced tune on top of the foundation Campbell laid down. When played by adepts who are listening to one another, two guitars can supply so much content that any more instruments would crowd the sound.
Dave's role shifted to a supportive one as Steph Bettman and the Boys took the stage in their latest lineup. New to the group were Adam Levy on stand-up bass and the same John O'Kennedy on acoustic guitar. Stephanie plays fiddle, sings, and entertains the audience with her patter while Campbell covers backing vocals and picks lead on the Fender mandolin. Although this may have been the first live stage performance by this lineup, the learning curve was very smooth. Adam Levy plays bass with precision, grace and style, obviously enjoying his contribution very much. His academic background in music helps make the bass part as dynamic as it is smooth. Steph sang "Jolene," which had radio play when recorded by Dolly Parton, along with her new tune "Tail Lights" as well as a selection from the rest of her growing repertoire to good audience appreciation, including some young sprites jigging in front of the stage through several tunes.

Adam Levy, a welcome addition
to Bettman's line-up


Steph Bettman and Campbell
From start to finish David Campbell was there, making Memorial Day 2006 a wonderful, fun and memorable evening of acoustic live music. In my interview with him, Campbell noted that whether playing one of the twelve instruments he’s mastered or singing, his interest is in what best serves the song. Oh yes, the pros are definitely in the house at O’Brien’s.

 

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