Reverend Davis is one of those figures whose creativity covered such a wide range that one can come back again and again and always find something new. This release certainly proves that. There is only the one gospel song, but the interplay between voice and instrument can be heard on songs like Hesitation Blues and Candyman. The ragtime and blues playing here are definitive examples of American guitar, i.e. Walkin’ Dog Blues, Twelve Sticks, Buck Rag, Buck Dance. There is hokum hilarity and novelty (the slide on Whistlin’ Blues) to balance the sheer instrumental force. And there is a lot more: Little Boy, Little Boy Who Made Your Britches is a song that might slip through the cracks on a compilation like this, but a careful listen reveals a piece that is so unique it is hard to categorize.

This collection shows the instrumental genius of Rev. Gary Davis. Stefan Grossman recorded these tracks in concert and at the home of Rev. Davis over the years 1962-1966. It presents the best of the best.

Song Samples:

1. Walkin’ Dog Blues*

2. Cincinnati Flow Rag*

3. She’s Funny That Way

4. Whoopin’ Blues

5. Twelve Sticks*

6. Children of Zion*

7. Buck Rag*

8. Hesitation Blues*

9. C-Rag*

10. Baby, Let Me Lay It on You*

11. Cocaine Blues*

12. Buck Dance*

13. Candyman*

14. Wall Hollow Blues

15. Little Boy, Little Boy Who Made Your Britches*

16. Whistlin’ Blues*

This CD is a re-issue album. It was first released in 1972.

This new enhanced CD edition includes a 63 page tab/music PDF booklet on the CD. Those tunes marked with a star (*) are included in the PDF booklet on the CD.