Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop presents a definitive portrait of the hugely influential folk blues icon Rev. Gary Davis in a comprehensive three-CD set titled Demons & Angels. Compiled by disciple and historian Stefan Grossman (who calls Davis “the Stravinsky of the acoustic guitar”), this sprawling set showcases the full stylistic range of Davis’ music, encompassing blues, gospel, ragtime, minstrel songs and other bits of Americana. The recordings were culled from over 100 hours of studio, concert and home recordings... Rev. Gary’s eccentric genius shines brightly on this substantial collection. – Bill Milkowski/Jazz Times

The definitive collection from one of the true giants in early blues and gospel, Reverend Gary Davis, a man positively worshipped by latter-day folkies and rockers (Dave Van Ronk, for one, called him “the most fantastic guitarist I’d ever seen”). This 3-CD set contains 57 tracks - many unreleased - highlighted by such spine-tinglers as Baby, What You Going to Do, I Am the True Vine, Mean Old World, Devil’s Dream, You’re Going to Quit Me Baby, Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning, and more.

Song Samples:

Disc: 1 Slippin’ ‘til My Gal Comes In Partner (Columbia University 1958–1959)

1. Buck Dance

2. Soldier's March

3. Baby, What You Going To Do

4. Twelve Sticks (The Dozens)

5. Save Up Your Money, John D Rockefeller Put The Panic On

6. I Am The Light Of This World

7. Nobody Cares For Me

8. Slippin' Till My Gal Comes In Partner

9. Blues (Sic)

10. Crucifixion

11. Rag Blues In C

12. Blues In E

13. Square Dance Verses

14. Don't Know Where To Go

15. He's My King

16. I'm Throwin' Up My Hands (Ain't Gonna Work No More)

17. Cross And Evil Woman Blues

18. Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning

19. I'm So Tired Of Being All Alone

Disc: 2 I Am The True Vine (At Home 1964-1965)

1. I Am The True Vine

2. Lord, Stand By Me

3. Won't You Hush

4. Mean Old World

5. Moon Is Going Down

6. Sportin' Life Blues

7. God's Gonna Separate

8. Soon My Work Will All Be Done

9. Blow Gabriel

10. Get Right Church

11. I Want To Be Saved

12. Oh Glory, How Happy I Am

13. There's Destruction In That Land (Message From Heaven)

14. Tired, My Soul Needs Resting

15. Georgia Camp Meeting

16. Bill Bailey

17. Honey Get Your Towel Wet

18. She Wouldn't Say Quit

19. You're Going To Quit Me Baby

Disc: 3 Twelve Gates To The City (In Concert 1962-1966)

1. I'm Going To Sit Down On The Banks Of The River

2. Twelve Gates To The City

3. I Heard The Angels Sing

4. Twelve Sticks

5. It's A Long Way To Tipperary

6. When The Train Comes Along

7. Little Boy, Little Boy Who Made Your Britches

8. All Night Long

9. Who Shall Deliver Poor Me

10. Jesus Met The Woman At The Well

11. Lord, Search My Heart

12. Lord, On Your Word

13. Let Us Get Together

14. Cocaine Blues

15. Devil's Dream

16. Blow Gabriel

17. Sun Is Going Down

18. Spoonful

19. Whistlin' Blues

20. Virgin Mary

Review: Unexpected, terrific music. Too marvelous for words!!! Blind Gary Davis, best known as Reverend Gary Davis, since he became a preacher in1933, may be the most terrific, outstanding guitar player of the blues and gospel history with Blind Blake. His ragtime style, combined with this particular South Carolina touch, makes him one of the most gifted and impressive musicians of all times. Born in Laurens County, South Carolina, April 30,1896, he lived enough to be rediscovered in the early 1960’s, while he was a street singer in Harlem. He lived until 1972 and died May 5 one week after his 76th birthday, on his way to a concert date.

This three CD set, full of treasures, is issued by Stefan Grossman, who was a pupil of the Reverend. These are unissued recordings: CD 1 was recorded at the Columbia University,1958-1959; CD 2 was recorded at home, 1964-1966 and CD 3 comes from concert dates,1962-1966. Of course, it includes some amazing music. Gary Davis was really alone in his field, that way of playing and singing sacred songs with this Carolina touch. His incredible, extremely difficult picking style (surely the most difficult along with Blind Blake's), with many ragtime touches, is a real delight. I don't speak of the guitar he's playing; I just hope I'll have the opportunity to play such an instrument once in my life.

Gary Davis stopped playing blues in the 1940’s, and it's a great chance to hear him play it here. But if you buy this set, please start listening to "Sporting Life Blues", (no, it's not Brownie McGhee's, even if the melody and chords are close to it). This is an amazing guitar solo which will drive you directly into Gary Davis's music. And Lord, what a sound!!! I won't try to tell you about all the songs, there are too many and they're all amazing. The only regret I have, like another reviewer said, is that Gary Davis' masterpiece, "Death Don't Have No Mercy", doesn't figure here. Too bad. But there are other masterpieces: "God's Gonna Separate", for example, or many others. Nothing here has to be rejected. This here is an absolute concentrate of talent.

Gary Davis is one of my favorite musicians for twenty years. One of my favorite guitar players. And of course, one of the most magnificent voices I've ever heard. I think this 3 CD set is the first opus to buy if you really wish to be introduced to the Reverend's music. Every minute of music played or sung by Gary Davis is one of the most essential ones of all times. So, don't miss this magnificent set full of things that have never been heard. Full of noise and fury. Some of the most important music of the 20th century is here. The booklet is a fine one and there are many lyrics transcribed. Sorry, you won't find the tablatures. So, try to find the Reverend's chords. Good luck! Sincerely. – Jean-Marie Juif/Amazon Customer Review