Reverend Gary Davis

Reverend Gary Davis

1773 fans

Gary Davis learns guitar, banjo and harmonica before the age of six. He played ballads and blues, recording under his own name and behind Blind Boy Fuller, who greatly influenced him. In his early thirties, he lost his sight in a bar brawl. He then devoted himself exclusively to religion, performing only spirituals. A street singer in the Carolinas before moving to New York in 1940, he became a fiery and vibrant preacher, punctuating his sermons with fast, precise and loose finger-picking guitar solos. A familiar figure in Central Park and Harlem, he befriended Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. The folk boom that swept through New York in the '50s enabled Gary Davis to record an abundance of magnificent albums for Stinson, Riverside, Prestige-Bluesville, Folkways and Biograph. In his youth, he had played a considerable role in defining the East Coast blues style often referred to as "ragtime blues". In New York, he became a demanding teacher who welcomed countless apprentice guitarists (Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder, Donovan, Jorma Kaukonen, Larry Johnson...), including Stefan Grossman, who wrote a guitar method that studied Gary Davis's original, virtuoso style in depth.

G.H.

Top tracks

06
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer
04:46
Composers: Traditional
13
Say No to the Devil
Reverend Gary Davis
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
03:20
Composers: Gary Davis
12
Oh Glory, How Happy I Am
Reverend Gary Davis
Live at Gerde's Folk City
05:35
01
Samson And Delilah (Live At The Newport Folk Festival 1959 - 1964)
Reverend Gary Davis
At Newport
03:36
Composers: Unknown
02
Slow Drag (Cincinnati Flow Rag) (Instrumental)
Reverend Gary Davis
The Guitar And Banjo Of Reverend Gary Davis
02:27
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
14
Cocaine Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
Demons & Angels - the Music of Rev. Gary Davis
03:28
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
05
Death Don't Have No Merc
Reverend Gary Davis
At Newport
04:06
Composers: Unknown
12
Lord, I Feel Just Like Goin' On (Remastered 2024)
Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer (Remastered 2024)
03:32
Composers: Reverend Gary Davis
08
I Will Do My Last Singing In This Land Somewhere (Live)
Reverend Gary Davis
Folk Music At Newport
04:49
Composers: Unknown
09
Samson And Delilah (Album Version)
Reverend Gary Davis
Prestige Profiles: Lightnin' Hopkins
04:06
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
37
Lo, I Be With You Always
Reverend Gary Davis
Birthright: A Black Roots Music Compendium
04:20
Composers: Traditional
03
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Reverend Gary Davis
Live at Gerde's Folk City
05:18
04
Banjo Instrumental
Reverend Gary Davis
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
02:07
14
Seven Sisters
Reverend Gary Davis
Pure Religion and Bad Company
03:00
Composers: Reverend Gary Davis
01
Death Don't Have No Mercy (Live in Portland, OR)
Reverend Gary Davis
Let Us Get Together
11:47
Writer: Rev. Gary Davis / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
06
Devil's Dream
Reverend Gary Davis
Pure Religion and Bad Company
01:59
Composers: Reverend Gary Davis
07
I Won't Be Back No More (Live At The Newport Folk Festival 1959 - 1964)
Reverend Gary Davis
Blues At Newport (Live At The Newport Folk Festival 1959 - 1964)
03:42
Composers: Unknown
08
Candy Man
Reverend Gary Davis
Classic African American Songsters from Smithsonian Folkways
02:31
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
11
Cocaine Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
Blues & Ragtime
02:23
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
08
Cocaine Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
Pure Religion and Bad Company
02:42
Composers: Reverend Gary Davis
09
Shine on Me
Reverend Gary Davis
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
03:01
Composers: Traditional
09
Hesitation Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
06:06
02
Let Us Get Together Right Down Here (Album Version)
Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer
03:11
Composers: Traditional
03
I Belong To The Band (Album Version)
Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer
02:56
Composers: Traditional
08
Goin' To Sit Down On The Banks Of The River (Album Version)
Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer
02:57
Composers: Traditional
05
Great Change Since I Been Born (Album Version)
Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer
04:05
Composers: Traditional
04
Pure Religion (Album Version)
Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer
02:59
Composers: Traditional
09
Tryin' To Get Home (Album Version)
Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer
03:48
Composers: Traditional

Playlists

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  • Discography
Albums
American Street Songs
2024 Beth Montana
17-05-2024
American Street Songs
01
John Henry
Pink Anderson
American Street Songs
05:33
Writer: Pink Anderson / Composers: Pink Anderson
02
Every Day in the Week
Pink Anderson
American Street Songs
03:37
Writer: Pink Anderson / Composers: Pink Anderson
03
The Ship Titanic
Pink Anderson
American Street Songs
03:21
Writer: Pink Anderson / Composers: Pink Anderson
04
Greasy Greens
Pink Anderson
American Street Songs
03:02
Writer: Pink Anderson / Composers: Pink Anderson
05
Wreck of the Old '97
Pink Anderson
American Street Songs
03:32
Writer: Pink Anderson / Composers: Pink Anderson
06
I've Got Mine
Pink Anderson
American Street Songs
03:11
Writer: Pink Anderson / Composers: Pink Anderson
07
He's in the Jailhouse Now
Pink Anderson
American Street Songs
03:49
Writer: Pink Anderson / Composers: Pink Anderson
Access the complete album info (15 songs)
Let Us Get Together
2022 Sunset Blvd Records
11-02-2022
Let Us Get Together
01
Death Don't Have No Mercy (Live in Portland, OR)
Reverend Gary Davis
Let Us Get Together
11:47
Writer: Rev. Gary Davis / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
02
Samson & Delilah (Live in Portland, OR)
Reverend Gary Davis
Let Us Get Together
07:29
Writer: Rev. Gary Davis / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
03
I Feel Like My Time Ain't Long (Live in Portland, OR)
Reverend Gary Davis
Let Us Get Together
08:48
Writer: Rev. Gary Davis / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
04
The Hunting Dog (Live in Portland, OR)
Reverend Gary Davis
Let Us Get Together
07:11
Writer: Rev. Gary Davis / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
05
She's Funny That Way (Intro) (Live in Portland, OR)
Reverend Gary Davis
Let Us Get Together
02:08
Writer: Rev. Gary Davis / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
06
She's Funny That Way (Live in Portland, OR)
Reverend Gary Davis
Let Us Get Together
11:27
Writer: Rev. Gary Davis / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
07
Cincinnati Flow Rag (Intro) (Live in Portland, OR)
Reverend Gary Davis
Let Us Get Together
05:46
Writer: Rev. Gary Davis / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
Access the complete album info (27 songs)
Rev. Gary Davis - The Best of (Live)
THEWE
19-04-2021
Rev. Gary Davis - The Best of (Live)
01
I'm Going Down To The Banks Of The River (Live)
Reverend Gary Davis
Rev. Gary Davis - The Best of (Live)
03:25
Writer: Jack Judge / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
02
Twelve Gates To The City (Live)
Reverend Gary Davis
Rev. Gary Davis - The Best of (Live)
04:25
Writer: Jack Judge / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
03
(I Heard The) Angels Singing (Live)
Reverend Gary Davis
Rev. Gary Davis - The Best of (Live)
04:18
Writer: Jack Judge / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
04
Twelve Sticks (Live)
Reverend Gary Davis
Rev. Gary Davis - The Best of (Live)
02:42
Writer: Jack Judge / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
05
It’s A Long Way To Tipperary (Live)
Reverend Gary Davis
Rev. Gary Davis - The Best of (Live)
03:28
Writer: Jack Judge / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
06
I'll Meet You At The Station When The Train Comes Along (Live)
Reverend Gary Davis
Rev. Gary Davis - The Best of (Live)
04:16
Writer: Jack Judge / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
07
Come Down And See Me Sometime (Live)
Reverend Gary Davis
Rev. Gary Davis - The Best of (Live)
04:59
Writer: Jack Judge / Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
(P) 2020 Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop, Inc.
15-07-2020
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
01
Come on Brother, Let's Go Round the Wall
Reverend Gary Davis
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
07:13
02
I Belong to the Band
Reverend Gary Davis
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
11:28
03
The Old Ship of Zion
Reverend Gary Davis
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
04:44
04
Save up Your Money, John D. Rockefeller Put the Panic On
Reverend Gary Davis
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
03:54
05
Blow Gabriel
Reverend Gary Davis
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
12:23
06
'Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus
Reverend Gary Davis
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
03:48
07
Don't Move My Bed 'Till the Holy Ghost Come
Reverend Gary Davis
See What the Lord Has Done for Me
10:40
Access the complete album info (35 songs)
Blues & Ragtime
(P) 2020 Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop, Inc.
06-05-2019
Blues & Ragtime
01
Walkin' Dog Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
Blues & Ragtime
05:11
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
02
Cincinnati Flow Rag
Reverend Gary Davis
Blues & Ragtime
04:42
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
03
She's Funny That Way
Reverend Gary Davis
Blues & Ragtime
07:03
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
04
Whoopin' Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
Blues & Ragtime
04:09
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
05
Twelve Sticks
Reverend Gary Davis
Blues & Ragtime
02:22
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
06
Children of Zion
Reverend Gary Davis
Blues & Ragtime
05:06
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
07
Buck Rag
Reverend Gary Davis
Blues & Ragtime
02:41
Composers: Rev. Gary Davis
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
Worried Blues
(P) 2017 Fat Possum Records
21-07-2017
Worried Blues
01
Let's Get Together
Reverend Gary Davis
Worried Blues
03:51
Composers: Not Documented
02
Sun Goin' Down
Reverend Gary Davis
Worried Blues
05:18
Composers: Not Documented
03
Lo, I'll Be with You Always
Reverend Gary Davis
Worried Blues
05:41
Composers: Not Documented
04
Mornin' Train
Reverend Gary Davis
Worried Blues
03:50
Composers: Not Documented
05
Out on the Ocean Sailing
Reverend Gary Davis
Worried Blues
03:28
Composers: Not Documented
06
Right Now
Reverend Gary Davis
Worried Blues
05:09
Composers: Not Documented
07
Birmingham Special
Reverend Gary Davis
Worried Blues
03:39
Composers: Not Documented
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Church of Ragtime
18-06-2015
Church of Ragtime
01
Cross and Evil Woman Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
Church of Ragtime
03:02
02
Cocaine Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
Church of Ragtime
04:43
03
Children of Zion
Reverend Gary Davis
Church of Ragtime
03:33
04
I Am the Light of the World
Reverend Gary Davis
Church of Ragtime
03:10
05
Twelve Gates to the City
Reverend Gary Davis
Church of Ragtime
03:07
06
Guitar Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
Church of Ragtime
06:06
07
I Belong to the Band - Hallelujah
Reverend Gary Davis
Church of Ragtime
03:12
Access the complete album info (36 songs)
The Ultimate Blues Anthology: Rev. Gary Davis, Vol. 1
2013 10/10
12-01-2015
The Ultimate Blues Anthology: Rev. Gary Davis, Vol. 1
01
You Can Go Home
Reverend Gary Davis
The Ultimate Blues Anthology: Rev. Gary Davis, Vol. 1
03:07
02
Twelve Gates To The City
Reverend Gary Davis
The Ultimate Blues Anthology: Rev. Gary Davis, Vol. 1
03:07
03
The Great Change In Me
Reverend Gary Davis
The Ultimate Blues Anthology: Rev. Gary Davis, Vol. 1
03:17
04
The Angel's Message To Me
Reverend Gary Davis
The Ultimate Blues Anthology: Rev. Gary Davis, Vol. 1
03:06
05
O Lord, Search My Heart
Reverend Gary Davis
The Ultimate Blues Anthology: Rev. Gary Davis, Vol. 1
03:04
06
Lord, Stand By Me
Reverend Gary Davis
The Ultimate Blues Anthology: Rev. Gary Davis, Vol. 1
03:07
07
Lord, I Wish I Could See
Reverend Gary Davis
The Ultimate Blues Anthology: Rev. Gary Davis, Vol. 1
03:03
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
01-01-2012
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
01
Cincinnati Slow Drag
Reverend Gary Davis
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
07:17
02
Chase - Harmonica Solo
Reverend Gary Davis
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
05:00
03
Candyman
Reverend Gary Davis
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
02:40
04
Banjo Instrumental
Reverend Gary Davis
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
02:07
05
Maple Leaf Rag
Reverend Gary Davis
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
05:17
06
I Know You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone
Reverend Gary Davis
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
04:12
07
Guitar Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
An Afternoon with Reverend Gary Davis
06:06
Access the complete album info (8 songs)
Greatest Blues Masters
01-12-2010
Greatest Blues Masters
01
I'm Throwin' Up My Hands (Ain't Gonna Work Here No More)
Reverend Gary Davis
Greatest Blues Masters
02:50
02
The Angel's Message To Me
Reverend Gary Davis
Greatest Blues Masters
03:07
03
Lord, Stand By Me
Reverend Gary Davis
Greatest Blues Masters
03:07
04
I'm Gonna Meet You At The Station
Reverend Gary Davis
Greatest Blues Masters
02:40
05
Civil War March
Reverend Gary Davis
Greatest Blues Masters
05:27
06
O Lord, Search My Heart
Reverend Gary Davis
Greatest Blues Masters
03:04
07
Twelve Gates To The City
Reverend Gary Davis
Greatest Blues Masters
03:07
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
At Home and Church, 1962 - 1967
10-06-2010
At Home and Church, 1962 - 1967
01
Twelve Sticks
Reverend Gary Davis
At Home and Church, 1962 - 1967
03:50
02
Sally, Where'd You Get Your Liquor From
Reverend Gary Davis
At Home and Church, 1962 - 1967
01:56
03
Babylon Is Falling
Reverend Gary Davis
At Home and Church, 1962 - 1967
06:40
04
What Could I Do
Reverend Gary Davis
At Home and Church, 1962 - 1967
03:27
05
Children of Zion
Reverend Gary Davis
At Home and Church, 1962 - 1967
07:09
06
Hesitation Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
At Home and Church, 1962 - 1967
04:09
07
Candyman (on 5 String Banjo)
Reverend Gary Davis
At Home and Church, 1962 - 1967
01:27
Access the complete album info (49 songs)
Live at Gerde's Folk City
01-12-2009
Live at Gerde's Folk City
01
You Got to Move
Reverend Gary Davis
Live at Gerde's Folk City
05:15
02
Intro to Come Down and See Me Sometime
Reverend Gary Davis
Live at Gerde's Folk City
02:03
03
Come Down and See Me Sometime
Reverend Gary Davis
Live at Gerde's Folk City
07:53
04
Wouldn't Say Quit
Reverend Gary Davis
Live at Gerde's Folk City
05:16
05
Oh Lord
Reverend Gary Davis
Live at Gerde's Folk City
06:50
06
Announcing Guitar Lessons
Reverend Gary Davis
Live at Gerde's Folk City
00:59
07
People That Use to See, Can't See No More
Reverend Gary Davis
Live at Gerde's Folk City
03:54
Access the complete album info (36 songs)
Crucifixion - Greatest Moments
10-06-2008
Crucifixion - Greatest Moments
01
My Heart Is Fixed
Reverend Gary Davis
Crucifixion - Greatest Moments
04:25
02
Two-Step
Reverend Gary Davis
Crucifixion - Greatest Moments
03:42
03
Candy Man
Reverend Gary Davis
Crucifixion - Greatest Moments
02:32
04
Song
Reverend Gary Davis
Crucifixion - Greatest Moments
05:13
05
West Coast Blues (Blind Blake)
Reverend Gary Davis
Crucifixion - Greatest Moments
02:36
06
Hymn
Reverend Gary Davis
Crucifixion - Greatest Moments
04:50
07
I Decided To Go Down
Reverend Gary Davis
Crucifixion - Greatest Moments
03:32
Access the complete album info (19 songs)
Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964
01-06-2007
Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964
01
You Got to Move
Reverend Gary Davis
Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964
04:45
02
If I Had My Way
Reverend Gary Davis
Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964
03:51
03
The Sun Is Going Down
Reverend Gary Davis
Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964
03:20
04
I'm a Soldier
Reverend Gary Davis
Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964
01:52
05
I Got a Little Woman Sweet As She Can Be
Reverend Gary Davis
Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964
04:53
06
Sally Please Come Back to Me (Worried Blues)
Reverend Gary Davis
Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964
02:45
07
Cocaine Blues
Reverend Gary Davis
Manchester Free Trade Hall 1964
04:43
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
(P) 2003 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
25-02-2003
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
01
If I Had My Way
Reverend Gary Davis
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
04:46
Composers: Gary Davis
02
If the Lord Be for You
Reverend Gary Davis
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
03:45
Composers: Gary Davis
03
Twelve Gates to the City
Reverend Gary Davis
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
03:56
Composers: Gary Davis
04
You Got to Move
Reverend Gary Davis
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
04:17
Composers: Gary Davis
05
We Are the Heavenly Father's Children
Reverend Gary Davis
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
03:26
Composers: Phyllis Hall
06
A Friend like Lonely Jesus
Reverend Gary Davis
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
04:25
Composers: George C. Hugg - Johnson Oatman Jr.
07
Get Right Church
Reverend Gary Davis
If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings
02:26
Composers: Gary Davis
Access the complete album info (18 songs)