Reverend Gary Davis: “Death Don’t Have No Mercy”
The Reverend Gary Davis (1896-1972) was a gospel and blues singer and songwriter and a remarkable guitarist. His unique finger-picking style influenced many folk, blues, and rock guitarists, including Jerry Garcia, Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal, and Jorma Kaukonen.
This clip is believed to be from a 1970 documentary.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIuVzSkwYr4[/youtube]
Born partially blind, Rev Davis lost his sight completely before adulthood. He took up the guitar at age 6 and taught himself to play. As a youth, he attended Center Raven Baptist Church, Gray Court, South Carolina, and was ordained a Baptist minister in 1933.
I first heard “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” in 1970 on Hot Tuna‘s initial album. A callow rock ’n’ roller at the time, Hot Tuna’s soulful acoustic blues opened a whole new musical world to me. Eventually, I discovered recordings by Rev Gary Davis himself.