With deep soul and subtle notes, Dianne Davidson’s first album in three decades, “Perigon: Full Circle,” encapsulates the struggles of an LGBT songwriter and gives a fresh sound to old blues.
“Being an out lesbian in the early ‘70s was not something that would endear me to major labels,” Davidson said. “I was doing really well in the mainstream music industry until I came out and doors gently closed.”
Outcast and heartbroken, Davidson spent more than 30 years apart from the music industry to focus on her personal growth.
“The break gave me time to mature and think about what I wanted out of life,” she said. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The opening song, “Just out of Reach,” offers an insight into Davidson’s experience with love, the music industry and her everlong search for acceptance.
Now in her late 60s, Davidson revisits her early career as a country blues singer and songwriter.
Singing as young as 11 years old and recording at 17, Davidson is no stranger to recording an album, but “Perigon: Full Circle” is her first co-produced album, with longtime friend Larry Chaney.
“I’ve never been able to share my vision with another person, but Larry and I work so well together,” said said. It’s like he crawls in my brain, takes what he needs and then makes it happen.”
With the help of Chaney and support of other artists, Davidson was able to produce” Perigon: Full Circle” almost solely by sending sound bites and tunes to Chaney who lives in Texas, nearly 1,000 miles away from Davidson, a Tennessee native.
The album consists of 10 original songs from Davidson and two covers:Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Feel My Love” and Gretchen Peters’ “Over Africa.”
Invisible, a documentary that features Davidson and details the stories of female LGBT songwriters in the country and bluegrass music industry, also inspired songs on “Perigon: Full Circle.”
“It’s amazing how choosing to come out or choosing not to come out impacted everybody’s careers, but in the end we’ve conquered it, we’ve come out of it,” Davidson said.
Davidson’s renewed sense of passion for music and the industry that once betrayed her, fuels “Perigon: Full Circle,” providing a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in each song.
-Melissa Joseph
