The Rev. Gary Davis, known variously during his career as Blind Gary, Gary Davis, Blind Gary Davis and Rev. Gary Davis, was a unique figure in the blues.He was a guitarist, singer and songwriter, who also played banjo and harmonica, born in Laurens, South Carolina, in 1896, and who, during his early career, was a leading exponent of the Piedmont style of blues from that region. He became an ordained minister, and moved to New York, where he became involved in the folk/blues revival of the 1950s and performed a style of blues which focused on gospel and faith themes, while still being authentic blues music. 

This 83-track 4-CD collection comprises releases on 78s through to 1949 on the ARC, Perfect, Conqueror, Melotone & Lenox labels, along with the tracks from the albums from 1954 through to 1962, “The Singing Reverend” on Stinson, “Harlem Street Spirituals” on Riverside , “A Little More Faith” and “Say No To The Devil” on Bluesville and “Pure Religion And Bad Company” on 77 Records.  

His virtuoso guitar technique was hugely influential on later post-war blues musicians. This collection bridges the two eras of his career, so is a fine showcase for the breadth of his talent and musical compass as a crucial figure in the genre. 

CD 1
1. CROSS AND EVIL WOMAN BLUES Blind Gary (Perfect 35-10-16) 1935 
2. I'M THROWIN' UP MY HANDS (AIN'T GONNA WORK NO MORE) Blind Gary (Perfect 35-10-16) 1935 
3. OH LORD, SEARCH MY HEART Blind Gary (ARC 35-10-33) 1935 
4. YOU GOT TO GO DOWN  Blind Gary (ARC 35-10-33) 1935 
5. I AM THE TRUE VINE Blind Gary (Melotone 5-12-66) 1935 
6. I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD Blind Gary (Melotone 5-12-66) 1935 
7. I BELONG TO THE BAND - HALLELUJAH! Blind Gary (Melotone 6-02-65) 1936 
8. THE GREAT CHANGE IN ME Blind Gary (Melotone 6-02-65) 1936 
9. I SAW THE LIGHT Blind Gary (Melotone 6-05-65) 1936 
10. LORD, STAND BY ME Blind Gary (Melotone 6-05-65) 1936 
11. HAVE MORE FAITH IN JESUS Blind Gary (Perfect 6-11-63) 1936 
12. THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE TO ME  Blind Gary (Perfect 6-11-63) 1936 
13. TWELVE GATES TO THE CITY Blind Gary (Perfect 7-04-55) 1937 
14. YOU CAN GO HOME Blind Gary (Perfect 7-04-55) 1937 
15. I CAN'T BEAR MY BURDEN BY MYSELF Blind Gary (Lenox L-520) 1949 
16. MEET ME AT THE STATION Blind Gary (Lenox L-520) 1949 
17. WHEN THE TRAIN COMES ALONG Gary Davis & Sonny Terry  1954  (From “American Ballads & Dances” (Stinson SLPX12)
18. I CAN'T MAKE THE JOURNEY BY MYSELF  Blind Gary Davis With Sonny Terry & His Mouth Harp  1954 
19. OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CITY (TWELVE GATES TO THE CITY) Blind Gary Davis With Sonny Terry & His Mouth Harp   
20. JESUS MET THE WOMAN AT THE WELL Blind Gary Davis With Sonny Terry & His Mouth Harp   
21. YOU GOT TO MOVE Blind Gary Davis With Sonny Terry & His Mouth Harp   
22. MOTHERLESS CHILDREN Blind Gary Davis With Sonny Terry & His Mouth Harp   
(Tracks 16-22 from LP  “The Singing Reverend” (Stinson  56) 11954

CD 2  
1. BAD COMPANY BROUGHT ME HERE Blind Gary Davis With Sonny Terry & His Mouth Harp   
2. SAY NO TO THE DEVIL   Blind Gary Davis With Sonny Terry & His Mouth Harp   
3. DEATH IS RIDING EVERY DAY Blind Gary Davis With Sonny Terry & His Mouth Harp   
(Tracks 1-3 from LP  “The Singing Reverend” (Stinson  56) 1954
4. TWELVE STICKS RAG Rev. Gary Davis   (From LP “Music In The Streets” (Folkways FD556=81)v
5. BLOW, GABRIEL Rev. Gary Davis   
6. TWELVE GATES TO THE CITY Rev. Gary Davis   
7. SAMSON AND DELILAH   Rev. Gary Davis   
8. OH LORD, SEARCH MY HEART Rev. Gary Davis   
9. GET RIGHT CHURCH   Rev. Gary Davis   
10. YOU GOT TO GO DOWN  Rev. Gary Davis   
11. KEEP YOUR LAMP TRIMMED AND BURNING Rev. Gary Davis   
12. THERE WAS A TIME THAT I WAS BLIND  Rev. Gary Davis   
(Tracks 5-12 from LP “American Street Songs – Harlem Street Spirituals” (Riverside RLP148) 1956
13. SAMSON AND DELILAH   Reverend Gary Davis   
14. LET US GET TOGETHER RIGHT DOWN HERE Reverend Gary Davis   
15. I BELONG TO THE BAND Reverend Gary Davis   
16. PURE RELIGION Reverend Gary Davis   
17. GREAT CHANCE SINCE I BEEN BORN Reverend Gary Davis   
18. DEATH DON'T HAVE NO MERCY Reverend Gary Davis   
19. TWELVE GATES TO THE CITY Reverend Gary Davis   
20. GOIN' TO SIT DOWN ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER Reverend Gary Davis   
21. TRYIN' TO GET HOME Reverend Gary Davis   
22. I AM THE LIGHT OF THIS WORLD Reverend Gary Davis   
25. I GOT SOMEBODY ELSE Jazz Gillum (Bluebird 8816) 1941
(Tracks 13-22 from LP “Pure Religion” (Bluesville BVLP 1015) 1960

CD 3
1. LO, I BE WITH YOU ALWAYS Reverend Gary Davis   
2. LORD, I FEEL LIKE JUST GOIN' ON Reverend Gary Davis   
(Tracks 1- 2 from LP “Pure Religion” (Bluesville BVLP 1015)
3. YOU GOT TO MOVE Reverend Gary Davis   
4. CRUCIFIXION Reverend Gary Davis   
5. I'M GLAD I'M IN THAT NUMBER Reverend Gary Davis   
6. THERE'S A TABLE SITTIN' IN HEAVEN Reverend Gary Davis   
7. MOTHERLESS CHILDREN Reverend Gary Davis   
8. THERE'S A BRIGHT SIDE SOMEWHERE Reverend Gary Davis   
9. I'LL BE ALL RIGHT SOME DAY Reverend Gary Davis   
10. YOU BETTER MIND Reverend Gary Davis   
11. A LITTLE MORE FAITH Reverend Gary Davis   
12. I'LL FLY AWAY  Reverend Gary Davis   
13. GOD'S GONNA SEPARATE Reverend Gary Davis   
14. WHEN I DIE I'LL LIVE AGAIN Reverend Gary Davis   
Tracks 3-14 from LP “A Little More Faith” (Bluesville BVLP 1032)1961
15. SAY NO TO THE DEVIL Reverend Gary Davis   
16. TIME IS DRAWING NEAR Reverend Gary Davis   
17. HOLD TO GOD'S UNCHANGING HAND Reverend Gary Davis   
18. BAD COMPANY BROUGHT ME HERE Reverend Gary Davis   
19. NO ONE CAN DO ME LIKE JESUS Reverend Gary Davis   
Tracks 15-19  from LP “Say No To The Devil” (Bluesville BVLP 1049) 1961

CD 4
1. I DECIDED TO GO DOWN  Reverend Gary Davis   
2. LORD I LOOKED DOWN THE ROAD Reverend Gary Davis   
3. LITTLE BITTY BABY Reverend Gary Davis   
4. LOST BOY IN THE WILDERNESS  Reverend Gary Davis   
5. TRYING TO GET TO HEAVEN IN DUE TIME Reverend Gary Davis   
Tracks 1-5  from LP “Say No To The Devil” (Bluesville BVLP 1049) 1961
6. PURE RELIGION  Blind Gary Davis   
7. MOUNTAIN JACK  Blind Gary Davis   
8. RIGHT NOW Blind Gary Davis   
9. BUCK DANCE Blind Gary Davis   
10. CANDY MAN Blind Gary Davis   
11. DEVIL'S DREAM Blind Gary Davis   
12. MOON GOES DOWN Blind Gary Davis   
13. COCO BLUES Blind Gary Davis   
14. RUNNIN' TO THE JUDGMENT Blind Gary Davis   
15. HESITATION  Blind Gary Davis   
16. BAD COMPANY Blind Gary Davis   
17. I DIDN'T WANT TO JOIN THE BAND Blind Gary Davis   
18. EVENING SUN GOES DOWN Blind Gary Davis   
19. SEVEN SISTERS Blind Gary Davis   
20. MY HEART IS FIXED Blind Gary Davis   24. A LIE IS DANGEROUS Jazz Gillum (RCA22-0051) 1949
Tracks 6-20 from LP “Pure Religion And Bad Company” (77 Records  77LA12/14) Rec. 1957 Rel. 1962