Reverend Gary Davis
Source: Down at the Crossroads
Like numerous early blues musicians, Reverend Gary Davis expresses the interweaving relationship between folk blues and folk gospel. Also alike many other blues musicians, Davis was blind, himself since an infant. Born on 30 April 1896 in Laurens, South Carolina, Davis was the only one of eight children to survive to adulthood. His father had been shot and killed by a Birmingham sheriff when he was ten. But before his death his father had arranged that Davis be given to the care of his paternal grandmother, as his mother treated him poorly. Alike Reverend Robert Wilkins, Davis became an ordained Christian minister (Baptist, in 1933) and experienced a turning away from secular blues to gospel. His first record release followed two years later (1935) with the American Recording Company (ARC).
'I'm Throwin' Up My Hands' Blind Gary Davis
23 July 1935 in NYC Matrix 17859-2 Perfect 35-10-16
Composition: Davis
'Cross and Evil Woman Blues' Blind Gary Davis
23 July 1935 in NYC Matrix 17860-1 Perfect 35-10-16
Composition: Davis
'I Am the Light of the World' Blind Gary Davis
25 July 1935 in NYC Matrix 17876-2 Melotone 5-12-66
Composition: Davis
'I Saw the Light' Blind Gary Davis
25 July 1935 in NYC Matrix 17878-2 Melotone 5-12-66
Composition: Davis
'You Got to Go Down' Blind Gary Davis
26 July 1935 in NYC Matrix 17892-1 ARC 35-10-33 / Conqueror 8561
Composition: Davis
'Civil War Parade' Blind Gary Davis
1945 in NYC See 'If I Had My Way' on Smithsonian Folkways
Composition: Davis
'Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning' Blind Gary Davis
28 Jan 1956 in NYC See 'American Street Songs' on Riverside Records RLP 12-611
Composition: Traditional Blind Willie Johnson 1928
'Mountain Jack' Blind Gary Davis
June 1957 in NYC See the album 'Pure Religion and Bad
Company' on 77 Records 77 LA 12/14
Composition: Ma Rainey / Sid Harris 1926
'Candy Man' Blind Gary Davis
June 1957 in NYC See the album 'Pure Religion and Bad
Company' on 77 Records 77 LA 12/14
Composition: Davis
'Coco Blues' ('Cocaine Blues') Blind Gary Davis
June 1957 in NYC See the album 'Pure Religion and Bad
Company' on 77 Records 77 LA 12/14
Composition: Davis
'Seven Sisters' Blind Gary Davis
June 1957 in NYC See the album 'Pure Religion and Bad Company' on 77 Records 77 LA 12/14
Composition: Davis
'Death Don't Have No Mercy' Blind Gary Davis
24 Aug 1960 in Englewood Cliffs NJ
See the album 'Harlem Street Singer' on Prestige Bluesville 1015
Composition: Davis
'Children of Zion' Blind Gary Davis Film
May 1964 in Paris Blues & Gospel Caravan
Composition: Davis
'Live in Seattle' Blind Gary Davis Video
1969 at Washington University Taped by Robert Garfias for
the Seattle Folklore Society
'Live at the Ash Grove' Blind Gary Davis
29 Jan 1971 in Los Angeles
Davis died of heart attack in Hammonton, New Jersey, on May 5, 1972.
Sources & References: Reverend Gary Davis:
VF History (notes)
Audio: Internet Archive YouTube
Compositions: Music Brainz Second Hand Songs
Documentaries:
Blind Gary Davis (directed by Harold Becker / 1964)
Harlem Street Singer (directed by Trevor Laurence & Simeon Hutner / 2022)
Interviews: 1968 (Stefan Grossman / audio)
Recordings: Albums:
Harlem Street Singer / recorded 24 Aug 1960 toward Prestige Bluesville 1015):
Pure Religion and Bad Company / recorded June 1957 / 77 Records 77 LA 12/14 / 1962)
Reverend Gary Davis: From Blues to Gospel / recorded 17 March 1971):
Biograph BCD 123 (1992) Shout! Factory (2004)
Recordings: Catalogs: Discogs Rate Your Music
Recordings: Compilations:
Heroes of the Blues / compositions by Davis 1935-71 / Shout! Factory DK 30257 / 2003):
Vintage Recordings / compositions by Davis 1935-49 / Document DOCD-5060 / 1994):
Recordings: Sessionographies:
Stefan Wirz (American Music / 1935-71)
Further Reading: Students of Davis
Bibliography:
Ian Zack (Say No to the Devil / University of Chicago Press / 2022)
Other Profiles: Find a Grave