He was a guitarist, singer and songwriter, who also played banjo and harmonica

The Rev. Gary Davis, known variously during his career as Blind Gary, Gary Davis, Blind Gary Davis and Rev. Gary Davis, was a unique figure in the blues. He was a guitarist, singer and songwriter, who also played banjo and harmonica, born in Laurens, South Carolina, in 1896, and who, during his early career, was a leading exponent of the Piedmont style of blues from that region. He became an ordained minister, and moved to New York, where he became involved in the folk/blues revival of the 1950s and performed a style of blues which focused on gospel and faith themes, while still being authentic blues music. This 83-track 4-CD collection comprises releases on 78s through to 1949 on the ARC, Perfect, Conqueror, Melotone & Lenox labels, along with the tracks from the albums from 1954 through to 1962, 'The Singing Reverend' on Stinson, 'Harlem Street Spirituals' on Riverside , 'A Little More Faith' and 'Say No To The Devil' on Bluesville and 'Pure Religion And Bad Company' on 77 Records. His virtuoso guitar technique was hugely influential on later post-war blues musicians. This collection bridges the two eras of his career, so is a fine showcase for the breadth of his talent and musical compass as a crucial figure in the genre.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

• Cross And Evil Woman Blues
• I'm Throwin' Up My Hands (Ain't Gonna Work No More)
• Oh Lord, Search My Heart
• You Got To Go Down 
• I Am The True Vine
• I Am The Light Of The World
• I Belong To The Band - Hallelujah!
• The Great Change In Me
• I Saw The Light
• Lord, Stand By Me
• Have More Faith In Jesus
• The Angel's Message To Me 
• Twelve Gates To The City
• You Can Go Home
• I Can't Bear My Burden By Myself
• Meet Me At The Station
• When The Train Comes Along
• I Can't Make The Journey By Myself 
• Oh What A Beautiful City (Twelve Gates To The City)
• Jesus Met The Woman At The Well
• You Got To Move
• Motherless Children

Disc 2:

• Bad Company Brought Me Here
• Say No To The Devil  
• Death Is Riding Every Day
• Twelve Sticks Rag
• Blow, Gabriel
• Twelve Gates To The City
• Samson And Delilah  
• Oh Lord, Search My Heart
• Get Right Church  
• You Got To Go Down 
• Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning
• There Was A Time That I Was Blind 
• Samson And Delilah  
• Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
• I Belong To The Band
• Pure Religion
• Great Chance Since I Been Born
• Death Don't Have No Mercy
• Twelve Gates To The City
• Goin' To Sit Down On The Banks Of The River
• Tryin' To Get Home
• I Am The Light Of This World

Disc 3:

• Lo, I Be With You Always
• Lord, I Feel Like Just Goin' On
• You Got To Move
• Crucifixion
• I'm Glad I'm In That Number
• There's A Table Sittin' In Heaven
• Motherless Children
• There's A Bright Side Somewhere
• I'll Be All Right Some Day
• You Better Mind
• A Little More Faith
• I'll Fly Away 
• God's Gonna Separate
• When I Die I'll Live Again
• Say No To The Devil
• Time Is Drawing Near
• Hold To God's Unchanging Hand
• Bad Company Brought Me Here
• No One Can Do Me Like Jesus

Disc 4:

• I Decided To Go Down 
• Lord I Looked Down The Road
• Little Bitty Baby
• Lost Boy In The Wilderness 
• Trying To Get To Heaven In Due Time
• Pure Religion 
• Mountain Jack 
• Right Now
• Buck Dance
• Candy Man
• Devil's Dream
• Moon Goes Down
• Coco Blues
• Runnin' To The Judgment
• Hesitation
• Bad Company
• I Didn't Want To Join The Band
• Evening Sun Goes Down
• Seven Sisters
• My Heart Is Fixed

Additional Details

Label: Acrobat

Genre: Blues

Language: English

Run Time: 296 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 08/07/26

UPC: 824046719920