Just when I thought storytelling through song was an art relegated to country music, Anthony David snuck up on me and breathed fresh air into soul music lyrics. Not since Jill Scott's seminal debut have I felt compelled to really sit down and listen to the poetics of an R&B album. Anthony David's debut long-player "Three Chords and the Truth" has that rare combination of lyrical depth, clarity and solid music composition. David possesses the knack for honest and personal narrative through song that has proved elusive since the glory days of soul music.
David's raspy vocal style bears some obvious comparison to Bill Withers or even Joe Cocker. With heartfelt lyrics about love and life and David's easy-going down-home acoustic guitar playing, "Three Chords" is the musical equivalent of a country boy in his Sunday best, as polished as it is raw.
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His opener "Yes," packs so many special elements from the cascading piano, to the delicate touches of percussion throughout. On "Cheating Man," David tells the story of a good man who slipped up, despite his good intentions, then realizes his behaviour is not unlike that of his father. Also included on "Three Chords" is "Part of My Life," a song David wrote for his good friend India.Arie and which she featured on her album "Acoustic Soul." David's version is a bit more pared down than the incarnation that ended up on Aire's album, but it still retains its catchy lift. "Cold Turkey" puts everyone on blast about that awkward period right after a break-up when you still have to scratch the itch your ex gives you.
David explores his love for reggae music on "50/50 Love" featuring songstress Julie Dexter. He manages to get a bit of hip-hop going on the social commentary "Krooked Kop," and stretches out to display a little dirty south crunkitude on the remix of "GA Peach", an ode to Georgia women. On my personal favourite, "The Water," David's rich vocals hit their highest point on the CD and blend beautifully with flute accents.
Anthony David inspires, teaches, and discovers that three chords and the truth is really all it takes to make music from the soul.
