Topic: Complete Early Recordings?Rev. Gary Davis?Tunings/Positions

[big joe weems]

Can anyone help fill out the tunings and positions of RGD's early recordings?

Complete Early Recordings?Rev. Gary Davis?Yazoo 2011

                                                              Tuning        Position

1. I Belong To The Band-Hallelujah!             Std                C
2. The Great Change In Me                         Std                C
3. The Angel's Message To Me                     Std                F
4. I Saw The Light                                      Std                C
5. Lord, Stand By Me                                  Std                C
6. I Am The Light                                       Std                C
7. O Lord, Search My Heart                         Std                G
8. Have More Faith In Jesus                         Std                C
9. You Got To Go Down                               Std                C
10. I Am The True Vine                               Std                C
11. Twelve Gates To The City                       Std                A
12. You Can Go Home                                 Std                C
13. I'm Throwin' Up My Hand                       Std                A
14. Cross And Evil Woman Blues                  Std                E
15. I Can't Bear My Burden By Myself           Std                A
16. Meet Me At The Station                          Std                A

Additional on Document 5060

1. Lord, I Wish I Could See                           Std                C
2. Civil War March                                        Std                F & C (starts in F, moves to C, repeat as desired)

(updated 3/21/14)

[Johnm]

Hi, big joe weems, and welcome to Weenie Campbell!  I moved this topic to licks and lessons because all of threads dealing with tunings and positions that different musicians played their songs out of are listed here.
All best,
Johnm

[joe paul]

If I remember right, "I Saw The Light" is in C, "O Lord, Search My Heart" is in G, "You can go home" is in C, and "I'm Throwing Up My Hands" is in A, as are "Meet Me At The Station" and "I Can't Bear My Burden By Myself". It's on the Document collection, not the Yazoo, but don't forget "Oh Lord, I Wish I Could See" which is in C.
All great, great songs.

[big joe weems]

Thanks a bunch joe paul!  I've updated the list above.

[Laura]

Stand By Me is in C

[big joe weems]

Thanks Laura! I have updated the list to include that position.

[frankie]

9. You Got To Go Down                            Std
10. I Am The True Vine                             Std
14. Cross And Evil Woman Blues

9. You Got To Go Down                            Std    C
10. I Am The True Vine                             Std    C
14. Cross And Evil Woman Blues               Std    E

Additional on Document 5060

2. Civil War March

2. Civil War March                           Std  - F/C

This one has two basic sections - first one in F and the second in C. Each section can be repeated as often as he wants....

[big joe weems]

Thanks frankie for your help!  I updated the completed list above.

BTW, really enjoy your performances on YouTube!  Thank you for sharing these!

Are you aware of any tunes Rev. Gary Davis played in other than Std tuning?

[banjochris]

Only one I've ever heard is "Whistlin' Blues," played in DADF#AB tuning, low to high. Yes, that is a B, not a D.

[Laura]

Only one I've ever heard is "Whistlin' Blues," played in DADF#AB tuning, low to high. Yes, that is a B, not a D.

An unusual tuning for an unusual song.  It's actually quite unsettling!

[big joe weems]

Wow, thanks banjochris!  That's very interesting that he used such an unusual tuning!  What would you call that, an open Bm7 tuning or Dadd6?

Also, I've enjoyed watching your YouTube performances.  Thanks for sharing those!

[Johnm]

Hi big joe weems,
I"d consider the tuning D6 tuning, since the song is played with D as its key center.  You're right, though, that the notes of the open strings could describe either a D6 or Bm7 chord depending on the context.
All best,
Johnm

[big joe weems]

Thanks Johnm!  I very much appreciate your insights on this forum, and have enjoyed your many excellent performances and lessons!

[banjochris]

Wow, thanks banjochris!  That's very interesting that he used such an unusual tuning!  What would you call that, an open Bm7 tuning or Dadd6?

Also, I've enjoyed watching your YouTube performances.  Thanks for sharing those!

Thanks, and the tuning makes sense in the context of the song; it sounds like a slightly out-of-tune honky-tonk piano!

[frankie]

BTW, really enjoy your performances on YouTube!  Thank you for sharing these!

You're welcome.

Are you aware of any tunes Rev. Gary Davis played in other than Std tuning?

Just Whistlin' Blues as Chris/John/Laura pointed out. He DID play 5string banjo, although that's not really what you're asking about....

For grins, here's Harlem Street Singer, all std tuning:

Samson And Delilah	G
Let Us Get Together Right Down Here	G
I Belong To The Band	C
Pure Religion	C
Great Change Since I Been Born	C
Death Don't Have No Mercy	Em
Twelve Gates To The City	A
Goin' To Sit Down On The Banks Of The River	G
Tryin' To Get Home	C
Lo, I Be With You Always	G
I Am The Light Of This World	C
Lord, I Feel Just Like Goin' On	D

A Little More Faith - all std tuning

You Got To Move	D
Crucifixion	G
I'm Glad I'm In That Number	G
There's A Table Sitting In Heaven	C
Motherless Children	G
There's A Bright Side Somewhere	D
I'll Be Alright Some Day	D
You Better Mind	C
A Little More Faith	C
I'll Fly Away	G
God's Gonna Separate	F
When I Die I'll Live Again	C

Say No To The Devil - all std tuning

Say No To The Devil	G
Time Is Drawing Near	A
Hold To God's Unchanging Hand	harmonica
Bad Company Brought Me Here	E
I Decided To Go Down	F
Lord, I Looked Down The Road	F
Little Bitty Baby	G
No One Can Do Me Like Jesus	harmonica
Lost Boy In The Wilderness	G
Tryin' To Get To Heaven In Due Time	G