On Thursday, March 20th, roots & blues singer-guitarist Davis Coen will perform at Proud Larry’s in Oxford to celebrate the release of his new live album, which was recently recorded at the popular venue.

For decades, bands have made great recordings at Proud Larry’s, but Coen happens to be the first to release a concert CD, which will be available at the 7 p.m. free show.

“Live at Proud Larry’s” is the local musician’s 11th album but first recorded live in a public setting. Produced by the senior sound engineer Blake Gardner, the album combines shows from different nights.

For the first half, Coen is backed by Memphis  funk and blues band Just Groovin’ Experience, featuring the soulful keyboard and vocals of John Gage and his father Charles Gage, who recently earned the Memphis Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award. The elder Gage plays drums, alongside workhorse Robb Roaten on bass guitar. 

On the rest of the record, Coen is accompanied by North Mississippi live music mainstays Kinney Kimbrough (son of Junior Kimbrough) on drums, and Justin Showah on bass. 

Both are longtime Coen collaborators and appear on “Magnolia Land” (2009), “Jukebox Classic” (2010), and his upcoming studio album “Hurricane Man.”

“Live at Proud Larry’s” features a mix of original songs and old-time American roots music, with covers of Muddy Waters, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charlie Poole, and Lefty Frizell – whose country hit “Long Black Veil” gets a lively treatment. 

Among Coen’s originals are the sinister murder ballad “Mile After Mile,” the steady rolling “Stranger in My Home,” and the danceable slow groove “Basement With the Blue Light” – which warns that “‘Just one taste gon’ change your mind.’”

The seasoned performer said, “It’s an honor to have the first album released from Proud Larry’s, and hard to believe no one else has done it after so many years.” 

Other Coen accomplishments include regular play on SiriusXM satellite radio, and original music on Martin Scorsese’s PBS special “The Blues.” 

Also, live performances on the documentary about Hill Country blues matriarch Jesse Mae Hemphill, called “Dare You To Do It Again.” 

Coen’s music was used on reality TV show “Lizard Lick Towing,” and Apple TV docuseries “Home,” as well as for indie films “Fresh Cut Grass” (2004), “Mental Scars” (2009), and “Two Headed Woman” (2019). 

Notable show billings include the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR, Riverwalk Blues Festival in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Bellinzona Blues Festival in Switzerland.

“Live at Proud Larry’s” can be heard on all online streaming services, and CDs are also available at End of All Music.