Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Without doubt one of the most talented blues guitarists of his generation, Reverend Gary Davis is captured here during the height of the British blues revival of the '60s and, whilst the sound is undeniably grainy, this is a fascinating record of the South Carolina bluesman's appearance at the Manchester Free Trade Hall. Kicking off with a humour-filled rendition of "You Got To Move" (a gospel blues number later covered by British blues enthusiasts such as the Rolling Stones and The Blues Band) before inviting harmonica legend Sonny Terry up on stage for a delicious version of "The Sun Is Going Down". It is widely known that Davis, an ordained Baptist minister, had no qualms about mixing the spiritual with the secular and this is seen here in the inclusion of the altogether more worldly "Cocaine Blues" and "I Got A Little Mama, Sweet As She Can Be" alongside gospel blues numbers such as "I'm A Soldier" and "Children Of Zion". Elsewhere, Davis treats us to some virtuoso fretwork in instrumentals such as Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" which makes sure that there is something for every blues fan in this captivating release.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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