Reverend Gary Davis – The Complete Early Recordings Of Reverend Gary Davis – Yazoo 2011 

Reverend Gary Davis was an astonishing South Carolina-born gospel, blues, and ragtime singer and guitarist, who was amazingly adept on banjo, and harmonica, as well.  Davis was blind from birth, and initially undertook performing blues on the eastern seaboard area before feeling his calling to Christianity in the 1930s, eventually becoming a clergyman.  In was only after Davis took residence in New York that he his musical career experienced a renaissance, as he ultimately rose to new heights during the folk music revitalization that swept the U.S. in the 1960s. 

Davis was a fingerpicking gospel and blues guitar stylist, utilizing his index finger and thumb, and the effect of his unique method was to be able to produce music in a four-part harmony structure.  It was a most unique methodology. 

Davis’s work was immensely influential on a whole generation of primarily Caucasian blues, folk, and rock artists, including Roy Book Binder, Bob Wier, Dave Vin Ronk, David Bromberg, Stefan Grossman, among many others.

Davis sang is a highly-emotional, theatrical manner, often rising to dizzying levels of demonstrative intensity.  The vocal message and content of his tunes, whether blues, gospel, or of another genre, was never in doubt; his stout approach leaves no vagary relating to desired impact upon the listener.  Especially enjoyable on this timeless collection are the almost-frenzied spoken interludes Davis offers amidst certain of his tunes.

It is a tremendous joy to hear Davis’ ability to be melodically skillful on guitar as he sings his tunes.  His guitar runs and cascades seem to so effortlessly escape his visions and be interpreted into counter-points to his vocal communications.  At times, the speed and dexterity that Davis parades is dumbfounding.

This 16-track collection features 14 songs originally released on 78rpm records taken from a single 1935 session.  The additional two selections were recorded in 1949.

Without getting too deep in the weeds, it is important to note the variety of keys Davis employs for his songs.  There is absolutely no repetitive listening fatigue upon relishing in this Davis collection.  The whole of the experience is continually refreshing.

What Davis offers here are rightful masterworks of blues, gospel, and ragtime compositions.  It is extremely easy to write a review of such an eternal, classic, and outstanding compilation as what Davis provides here.  An economical slant is appropriate, because in this instance, work such as Davis’ supersedes mere word count.

Any blues fan of repute needs this Reverend Gary Davis assemblage in their collection.  Seek this out!  Highly-essential, without dispute!