"Heroes
Of The Blues: The Very Best Of Rev. Gary Davis" is released
by Shout! Factory as part of a six
compact disc series. The cd is a compilation of 16 tracks
previously released on other compact discs. See the track
list here or listen
to samples from the disc. Click
here to enter a contest to win all six compact discs in
the series. Click the button below to purchase your copy from
Amazon.com.
February,
2003 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released
"If I Had My Way: Early Home Recordings of Reverend Gary Davis"
on February 25, 2003. When
young folk music disciple John Cohen went to the home of Reverend Gary
Davis in early 1954, he could not have known the importance of the recordings
he made. These historic recordings of the Reverend, which predate his
seminal albums, provide a window into the world of this blind preacher
caught between the blues and church. Fans of Davis' work will find these
recordings to be a revelation as a full ten songs were never recorded
again and cannot be heard elsewhere.
February,
2003 The
Folk Alliance honored Ralph
Stanley, the late Rev. Gary Davis and Sing
Out! magazine with Lifetime Achievement awards during the organization’s
15th annual conference in Nashville, Feb. 6-9. Comprised chiefly of
meetings, workshops and showcases, the conference
was held at the Nashville Convention Center and adjacent Renaissance
Hotel. This was the ninth year the awards have been conferred. The Alliance
honored Davis, the legendary blues guitarist and singer, on Feb. 7.
Ernie Hawkins presented the
award.
November
2002
"The Sun Of Our Life; Solos, Songs & Sermons 1955-1957"
is released by World
Arbiter Records. In a private archive lay home recordings
of works never recorded on LP or CD by this master bluesman, ragtime
guitarist and gospel artist, second to none as a musician, who
influenced Blind Boy Fuller, Brownie McGee, Bob Dylan, Bob Weir
& the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal and so many more.
These unique documents, in excellent sound, capture a full cross-section
of a remarkable musician who brought to culmination so many traditions.
Included is a fiery sermon by the Rev. See the track
list here, read the liner
notes here, or listen
to a sample of "Improvisation: Fast Blues in A"
October
2002 "Mean
Little Poodle", Ernie Hawkins latest cd, is released. A master
of acoustic blues guitar returns with another spectacular offering
of Blues, Gospel and Dance Tunes, with just a little Voodoo thrown
in to boot. Hawkins has been building his reputation as one of
the finest purveyors of solo acoustic blues guitar playing in
the world. (...read
more)
September
2002
"The Gospel Guitar of Rev. Gary Davis" taught by Ernie
Hawkins is released in a four VHS/DVD set. Rev. Gary Davis'
music and guitar playing spanned a century of different techniques,
styles and ideas and touched on so many musical formats, i.e. blues,
ragtime, folk, gospel, marching songs and tin pan alley hits. In
this series of four lessons, Ernie Hawkins teaches fourteen of Rev.
Davis's most requested and famous gospel guitar arrangements. Rare
footage of Rev. Davis playing many of the tunes taught in this collection
is featured. Ernie gives you a detailed rundown of each arrangement,
analyzing the structure and timing of each phrase, verse and chorus
and then replaying everything slower on a split screen with close-ups
of both hands. A comprehensive 80 page tab/music booklet is included.
All in all, almost six hours of instruction is presented. Click
here to view all the details and purchase the set, or view
a video clip by clicking on modem
or high
bandwidth.
January
2002
“Gary Davis Style: The Legacy of Reverend Gary Davis”
released. This project started as an attempt to celebrate the centenary
of Rev. Gary Davis's birth, and presents twenty musical examples
that include his early Greenville partner, Willie Walker, from whom
Blind Gary undoubtly learned a few tricks; his earliest known student,
Blind Boy Fuller, whose commercial success virtually transformed
the post-depression blues world; and eighteen recent entries, who
were either students of his, or who were taught by someone who was,
like Peter Paul and Mary, Dave Van Ronk, Maria Muldaur, Ernie Hawkins
and Rick Ruskin. Half the numbers were taken from existing CDs,
including the two 78s. The other half were newly minted by the performers.
See the tracklist and purchase this CD at Amazon.com
January
2002 All Songs Considered,
National Public Radio's online music show, looks at some of the artists
responsible for 2001's folk music revival. Featured artists: the Reverend
Gary Davis, Gillian Welch, Ralph Stanley, Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams,
Doc Watson, Roscoe Holcomb, John Hartford, and the 1946 Band.
March
2001 Demons
and Angels, Reverend Gary Davis, The Ultimate Collection is
released, A box set of three compact discs (with 36 page booklet),
compiled by Stefan Grossman. "Disc 1 features rare recordings
made by Columbia University student John Gibbons in 1958 and 1959,
and it focuses mostly on Davis's instrumental prowess: a thoroughly
matchless fingerpicking guitar style that fused bits of jazz,
blues, and ragtime into a highly personal technique. In addition
to the many instrumentals on the first disc, there are some of
Davis's most spellbinding vocal performances, especially "Crucifixion"
(which blends singing and preaching) and "Don't Know Where
to Go." Disc 2 includes home recordings from the mid-1960s,
while the final disc of live recordings shows off his stage charisma
and command." - Marc Greilsamer . View details,
hear audio clips and purchase
from Stefan or purchase
from Amazon.com
