Linda Davis had a long road to Nashville, started out in the early 1970s as part of the short-lived pop-country duo Skip & Linda, which also featured with songwriter Skip Eaton. Davis went on to sing backup for Reba McEntire, and didn't release her own first solo album until 1991. The Reba influence is pretty strong; too strong for many of you, I'll bet. Also worth noting: her daughter, Hillary Davis, was a founding member of the pop-country band Lady Antebellum (aka Lady A).
Anyway, here's a quick look at her work...
Linda Davis "I'm Yours" (Dreamworks Records, 1998)
(Various producers)
This best-of retrospective spans back to Davis's early singles on Capitol and Arista, and includes a few new tunes, for good measure. It's all very Reba-delic, from the tortured, exaggerated twang to the monotonous obsession with girl-meets-boy romance. Still, she's okay on the upbeat numbers... At least she doesn't delve into the slow, drippy stuff as much as McEntire does; there's some syrup... just not as much. All in all, though, Davis is a pretty underwhelming performer. This is the disc to pick up if you want to check her out, but it didn't make a big impression on me...
Linda Davis "In A Different Light" (Liberty Records, 1991)
Linda Davis "Linda Davis" (Liberty Records, 1992)
Linda Davis "Shoot For The Moon" (Arista Nashville, 1994)
Linda Davis "Some Things Are Meant To Be" (Arista Nashville, 1996)
Linda Davis "Family Christmas" (Center Hill Records, 2003)
Linda Davis "I Have Arrived" (Center Hill Records, 2004)
Linda Davis "Young At Heart" (Center Hill Records, 2007)
Skip & Linda (MDJ Records, 1982) (# MDJ-68176-A/B) (7")
A: "If You Could See You Through My Eyes" (c: Larry Henley & Jim Hurt)
B: "This Clown" (c: Brenda Barnet, Wayne Carson, Charlie Chalmers & Sandra Chalmers)
(Produced by Phil Baugh & Larry McBride)
Skip & Linda (MDJ Records, 1982) (# MDJ-68179-A/B) (7")
A: "I Just Can't Turn Temptation Down" (c: Don Cusic)
B: "Don't Surrender Your Love" (c: Charlie Chalmers & Sandra Chalmers)
(Produced by Phil Baugh & Larry McBride)
Skip & Linda (MDJ Records, 1982) (# MDJ 68180-A/A) (7")
A: "This Time" (c: Roger Murrah & Tina Murrah)
B: "This Time" (c: Roger Murrah & Tina Murrah)
(Produced by Phil Baugh & Larry McBride)
