Ululu
Studio album by Jesse 'Ed' Davis
Released 1972
Recorded 1972 at Criteria Sound, Miami, Florida
Genre Rock
Length 31:53
Label Atco
Producers Jesse Davis, Albhy Galuten
Professional ratings
Allmusic 4/5 stars
Rolling Stone Magazine 4/4 stars
Ululu is the second solo album by Jesse 'Ed' Davis, one of the most respected session guitarists of the late 60s and 70s.
Charismatic Jesse Ed Davis was truly one of the rare breed known as a ÒguitaristÕs guitarist.Ó On session after session in the late 1960s and 1970s, he epitomized the concept of playing for the song, drawing deeply from country, blues, rock, and R&B influences without mimicking anyone. He recorded with three of the Beatles and blues giants John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, LightninÕ Hopkins, and Albert King. He appeared in the film Concert for Bangladesh and played sessions with Eric Clapton, Gene Clark, Neil Diamond, John Trudell, and many others. He released three solo albums on major labels. And yet despite these accomplishments, Jesse Ed Davis remains best known for his work on the early Taj Mahal albums and for being Òthe guy who inspired Duane Allman to play slide guitar.Ó - Jas Obrect Music Archive
Jesse 'Ed' Davis: "I Just Play the Notes That Sound Good"
http://jasobrecht.com/jesse-ed-davis-Òi-just-play-the-notes-that-sound-goodÓ/
True, Jesse created the signature riff used by Duane for the Allman Brothers BandÕs ÒStatesboro Blues,Ó as well as the bottleneck on Eric ClaptonÕs ÒHello Old Friend.Ó But slide was just one facet of DavisÕ widespread talent. He created many memorable hooks. Playing fingers-and-pick country on his trademark Telecaster, he could fire off multiple-string bends and double-stops as naturally as a Nashville cat. In blues settings, he made every note count, like a B.B. King or Mike Bloomfield. He delved into jazz. His uncanny feel for rock led to his becoming John LennonÕs guitarist of choice for the Rock ÕnÕ Roll album.
Review by Steve Kurutz of allmusic:
A full-blooded Kiowa Indian, Jesse Ed Davis was perhaps the most versatile session guitarist of the late '60s and early '70s. Whether it was blues, country or rock, Davis' tasteful guitar playing was featured on albums by such giants as Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, John Lennon and John Lee Hooker, among others. It is Davis' weeping slide heard on Clapton's "Hello Old Friend" (from No Reason to Cry), and on both Rock n' Roll and Walls & Bridges, it is Davis who supplied the bulk of the guitar work for ex-Beatle Lennon.
Born in Oklahoma, Davis first earned a degree in literature from the University of Oklahoma before beginning his musical career touring with Conway Twitty in the early '60s. Eventually the guitarist moved to California, joining bluesman Taj Mahal and playing guitar and piano on his first three albums. It was with Mahal where Davis was able to showcase his skill and range, playing slide, lead and rhythm, country and even jazz guitar during his three-year stint.
The period backing Mahal was the closest Davis came to being in a band full-time, and after Taj's 1969 album Giant Step, Davis began doing session work for such diverse acts as David Cassidy, Albert King and Willie Nelson. In addition, he also released three solo albums featuring industry friends such as Leon Russell and Eric Clapton.
In and out of clinics, Davis disappeared from the music industry for a time, spending much of the '80s dealing with alcohol and drug addiction. Just before his death of a suspected drug overdose in 1988, Davis resurfaced playing in the Graffiti Band, which coupled his music with the poetry of American Indian activist John Trudell. The kind of expert, tasteful playing that Davis always brought to an album is sorely missed among the acts he worked with.
Though this album is far more a collector's record than an actual "turntable staple," it is a significant improvement from Davis' first solo outing. During the title track in particular, as well as a cover of Merle Haggard's "White Line Fever," Davis' voice achieves a ragged glory that makes the listener realize why sloppy rock & roll can be so much fun. Other standout moments include a version of the tune that Davis co-wrote with Taj Mahal, "Further on Down the Road," and the Davis-penned "Reno St. Incident." In all, it is the fun record that you would expect from a standout session player like Davis.
Review by Thom Jurek of allmusic:
Ululu, released in 1973, is a monster. It's swampy, greasy, nocturnal blues and roll of the highest order. The cast this time out is no less stellar, though there are a lot fewer people in the mix. Russell is back, as are most of the background singers, but added to the fold are Dr. John, Donald "Duck" Dunn, and drummer Jim Keltner. This time out, Davis' guitar playing, particularly his slide work, is front and center, and the overall approach is tighter, more focused. The album's first cut, Davis' "Red Dirt Boogie, Brother," is spooky, dirty, and nasty, and the next track, a cover of Merle Haggard's "White Line Fever," transforms the tune from a hillbilly anthem into a barroom singalong with killer guitar fills. Other remakes include a beautiful version of George Harrison's "Sue Me, Sue You Blues," the Band's "Strawberry Wine," and Leon Russell's "Alcatraz," which closes the set. The finest moment here, however, is in "Farther On Down the Road (You Will Accompany Me)," co-written with Taj Mahal and first recorded when Davis was playing with the bluesman. It's grittier than the original, more desperate, forlorn, and shambolic, with Davis' vocal stretched to its limit buoyed by his weeping guitar. No doubt about it, everyone is richer for having these recordings available on CD domestically, and '70s rock fans would do well to check this disc out.
Review by Jas Obrect of Jas Obrect Music Archive:
For Davis, the highlight of 1972 was the release of his most acclaimed solo album, Ululu. Critics hailed the title track and the cover of Merle HaggardÕs ÒWhite Line FeverÓ as examples of the Òragged glory of unabashed rock and roll.Ó The core band featured Dr. John on keyboards, Donald ÒDuckÓ Dunn on bass, and Jim Keltner on drums. Davis mixed originals Ð ÒRed Dirt Boogie, Brother,Ó ÒMy Captain,Ó ÒUlulu,Ó and ÒMake a Joyful NoiseÓ Ð with a spirited reading of ÒOh! SusannahÓ and covers of George HarrisonÕs ÒSue Me, Sue You Blues,Ó The BandÕs ÒStrawberry Wine,Ó and Leon RussellÕs ÒAlcatraz.Ó He capped the album with the rollicking ÒFurther on Down the Road,Ó which heÕd written with Taj Mahal.
LP track listing
Side One
1. "Red Dirt Boogie, Brother" (Jesse Davis) - 3:44
2. "White Line Fever" (Merle Haggard) - 3:03
3. "Farther On Down The Road (You Will Accompany Me)" (Jesse Davis, Taj Mahal) - 3:14
4. "Sue Me, Sue You Blues" (George Harrison) - 2:45
5. "My Captain" (Jesse Davis) - 3:23
Side Two
6. "Ululu" (Jesse Davis) - 3:40
7. "Oh! Susannah" (Traditional) - 2:45
8. "Strawberry Wine" (Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson) - 2:13
9. "Make A Joyful Noise" (Jesse Davis) - 3:51
10. "Alcatraz" (Leon Russell) - 3:15
Personnel
* Jesse 'Ed' Davis - guitar, vocals
* Donald 'Duck' Dunn - bass
* Jim Keltner - drums
* Mac Rebennack - organ, piano
* Stan Szeleste - piano
* Arnold Rosenthal - bass
* Albhy Galuten - piano
* Billy Rich - bass
* Leon Russell - piano
* Larry Knechtel - organ
* The Charles Chalmers Singers, Clydie King, Merry Clayton, Vanetta Fields, Chuck Kirkpatrick - backing vocals