Rev. Gary Davis - Demons and Angels: The Ultimate Collection (2000)

This three-disc "ultimate collection" is an impressive compilation of recordings made featuring Rev. Gary Davis during a period spanning 1956 to 1966. An obvious labor of love, Demons and Angels was compiled and produced by one of Rev. Davis' former students -- Stefan Grossman who paid Davis five dollars a lesson "regardless whether it would last an hour or several days." Going beyond gathering various performances, this set examines Rev. Davis' unique fingerpickin' acoustic guitar style from several distinctive points of view. Unfortunately the liner notes booklet sheds no light into the nature, exact recording dates, or venues of these performances. Presenting Davis in such varied settings allows enthusiast and student alike the unique perspective of hearing one of America's premier folk musicians in a most intimate situation. Disc one features songs recorded at Columbia University in 1958 and 1959 by student John Gibson. Judging from the occasional verbal instruction, as well as the lack of an audible audience, it is surmised that Davis is participating in some degree of formal instruction. Disc two includes home recordings, presumably documented by Grossman during his one-on-one mentoring sessions between 1964 and 1966. Disc three rounds off Demons and Angles with various live performances from 1962-1966. The impact that Rev. Gary Davis had on musicians such as folk icon Dave Van Ronk and guitarist Jorma Kaukonen is obvious. The profound influence affected not only their choice of material, but more insidiously performance and delivery styles as well. Nowhere is this more evident than the live readings of "Let Us Get Together," "Lord, Search My Heart," and "Cocaine Blues." Rev. Davis' liquefied fretwork foreshadows Kaukonen's stunning virtuosity, while his sly, talking-blues delivery seems tailor made for Van Ronk's decidedly Greenwich Village approach.

Tracks:



01. Buck dance
02. Soldier's march
03. Baby, what you going to do
04. Twelve sticks (the dozens)
05. Save up your money, John D. Rockerfeller put the panoc on
06. I am the light of this world
07. Nobody cares for me
08. Slippin' 'til my gal comes in partner
09. Blues
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) (aka Mountain Jack blues)
17. Cross and evil woman blues
18. Keep your lamp trimmed and burning
19. I'm so tired of being all alone



01. I Am The True Vine
02. Lord, Stand By Me
03. Won't You Hush
04. Mean Old World
05. Moon Is Going Down
06. Sportin' Life Blues
07. God's Gonna Separate
08. Soon My Work Will All Be Done
09. 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



01. I'm Going To Sit Down On The Banks Of The River
02. Twelve Gates To The City
03. I Heard The Angels Sing
04. Twelve Sticks
05. It's A Long Wat To Tipperary
06. When The Train Comes Along
07. Little Boy, Little Boy Who Made Your Britches
08. All Night Long
09. 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