Gary Davis

Brief Bio

Gospel/Country Blues guitarist Rev. Gary Davis' playing spanned a wide range of techniques and styles. Also known as Blind Gary Davis, he was born in 1896 in Clinton, South Carolina, became blind shortly after he was born, and he died in 1972. He was an ordained minister, thus in the title that precedes his name. He played with his thumb and index finger to pick out complex melodies, four-part harmonies, rhythmic licks, and lightning fast single-string runs.

He had a strong influence on many other famous musical artists including Bob Dylan, Jorma Kaukonen/Hot Tuna, Taj Mahal, The Grateful Dead, David Bromberg, and John Renbourn, among others.

Some of his most popular songs include Hesitation Blues, I Am The Light Of This World, Candy Man, and Death Don't Have No Mercy.

Video

Here is an excellent video from YouTube of Gary Davis performing "Children Of Zion" on Pete Seeger's "Rainbow Quest" TV show. Exact date unknown but this show aired on UHF television station WNJU in New Jersey from 1965 to 1966.

Selected Discography

Recordings in their original formats have long been out of print, but there are many excellent compilations available on CD at AMAZON

You can download many of his songs at Yahoo MUSIC UNLIMITED.

Guitar Lessons

The Ragtime Blues Guitar of Reverend Gary Davis Sheet Music Book and CD:

This instruction book covers seven of Rev. Davis's songs transcribed in standard notation and guitar tabs, in three lessons for intermediate to advanced guitar players. The CD is included as a tool to help you get a better idea of the phrasing and timing used to play these songs the way they were originally performed.

LESSON ONE Presents arrangements of "Hesitation Blues" and "Baby, Let Me Follow You Down"

LESSON TWO explores "Sally Where'd You Get Your Liquor From" and "Candy Man". He used to joke that he could play Candyman so many different ways that he would be able to play it nonstop for at least 8 hours without repeating himself! Two different versions of this song are discussed here.

LESSON THREE covers "Raggin' the blues", "Buck Rag", and "Walkin' Dog Blues" in detail. Single-string runs, counterpoint lines, rhythmic variations and syncopated bass patterns are featured.

This three lesson ragtime blues guitar course is available online at MusicNotes.

Rev. Gary Davis Blues Guitar Book This book teaches Gary Davis’s style of playing and hints about playing in Davis’s own words. More than 20 of his best-known songs are covered including Hesitation Blues, Death Don't Have No Mercy, Candyman, and Lost Boy in the Wilderness.

Rev. Gary Davis Country Blues Guitar Book This Book and Audio CD set contains 13 of his best-known fingerstyle blues guitar pieces transcribed in standard musical notation and guitar tablature. A CD of Davis performing each piece is also included. From the Alfred Pubishing "Masters of Country Blues" series.

If you would like to study Gary Davis' playing style, more tab books and lesson video DVD's are available at Sheet Music Plus and Musicnotes