�Cover Me� � A celebration of the music of Joyce Davis.

With the recent cover contest here at Dmusic.com, many of us experienced first hand how intriguing the power of interpretation can be when applied to our music, and so is the case here with the release of �Cover Me�, a collection of tracks originally written and recorded by Joyce Davis performed here by various independent artists, the majority of which are residents here at DMusic.

For reasons that are not my place to discuss, Joyce is no longer able to perform her own songs and so came up with the idea of inviting her friends to do it in her place. The result is a stunning collection of eleven songs all handled with care, paying tribute to the source material and expanding on it to incorporate the respective performers� personalities in each case.

Stand out tracks on a first listen include the infectious �Dangerous� and the achingly beautiful �Welcome To The World�, though after repeated exposure every track on the disc will eventually become a firm favourite. Joyce�s music is at times politically charged, at others emotional, but always inspirational. While she is not musically present in any of the recordings, each artist here has done such a great job with their respectful treatment of her songs that the end result is unmistakeably pure Joyce Davis.

With all profits from the CD going to a selection of Joyce�s preferred charities, this again underlines what she aims to do with her music � positively affect the world, even if it�s just one person at a time. Despite all her personal setbacks, she heroically continues to do that with this release, and I thoroughly recommend you check it out.

You can purchase the CD from Joyce�s blog here at DMusic.com by clicking below.

http://joycedavis.dmusic.net

Okay, let's get this straight. First, I don't really review cds, because I don't know enough to review music. Any one of you reading this can probably put me to shame in that respect. So let's call this a tribute-- it's more accurate. And I hope Joyce and friends don't mind if I drool just a little bit about her new cd, Cover Me because -- well, I'm going to anyway!

When I think about each one of you, I tend to think like those cloud things they use on some other sites, with lots of words and colors and feelings. I almost never remember what you look like, but I have very distinct feelings about your music, and when I think hmmm... Joyce! I invariably think gentle, sweet, ultra-talented, and strong. Listening to her music is like looking through her eyes, for just a little bit of time. And I think Joyce sees the world the same way I "see" her.

It's not often that I find a cd containing so many tracks that it would difficult for me to pick the one I like the most, but this is just such a cd. And the artists Joyce has collaborated with on this? Where else can you find so much talent on one cd? A lot of my personal favorites are on here, so each track is a snapshot in my mind of Joyce + a friend, whether it is Branko, Gene, or Katie -- and I have an image of all the others, too, even though I have not had the pleasure of their acquaintance. That's how I hear music.

From the edgy "Dangerous" with Gene Hilbert and Katie (aka Songstress), to the politically charged "Nucleites" with Ian Campbell, to the bluesy "Noon Bar Blues" with Kirill Kurtovenko, each track is a blending of talents, but with Joyce's personal stamp -- passionate, caring, and wonderfully crafted -- on each one.

"Lady of a Thousand Faces" with Ian Campbell has always been one of my favorite tracks, but now it's joined by "The Fool" -- also with Ian, and the heart-wrenching "Grandma's Song" with Lasse Joensson. And then there's the incredible "Daddy's Dreams" with Nora Lee... and on and on...

I don't believe there's a weak link in this chain Joyce has woven. I recommend you buy it for yourself as a gift, Christmas or Hannukah or whatever holiday you choose. Treat yourself at Halloween. I may well wear out my copy by the holidays. It's just that good.