Topic: some guy playing Rev. Gary Davis

[frankie]

Thanks, Kokomo. I love Rev. Davis's singing, too, especially his note choices, which often complement rather than double the melodic line articulated by the guitar...  if I can get on my soapbox about it, this is something that I feel a lot of current day players (even some famous ones) kinda miss. His tone is great too - tough and not easy to listen to, but full of expression and personality. I try to honor those qualities when I sing, but he's got a much different toolkit and level of confidence and ability than me (understatement in the extreme...). What comes out of my mouth is stuff I can usually live with, so I guess that's ok.

The guitar is a bit of a mystery...  definitely a Gibson, definitely a J-45. Year? well...  my buddy thought it was from the 60s but it looks newer to me than that. There's no serial number on the headstock or neck block, and the logo is inlaid pearl (looks right, but something that belongs on a J-200 or Les Paul!). There WAS a period during the 80s when they put the serial number on a decal (thinking this could be easily removed).

The J-45 underwent scary changes in the 60s and this one is closer to vintage specs, at least structurally...  in the 70s they went to a square shouldered design (*shudder*)...  so....  in the mid 80s, Gibson apparently made a couple of short runs of "vintage constructed" J-45s, so I'm guessing it may be from that time period. It does sound and play good..... a welcome guest!

[Mr.OMuck]

Nicely done Frank!

[uncle bud]

Sounds great, Frank. Agree about the singing. Lots of rewards in there.

The 80s - a new golden era of vintage guitars...

[Gumbo]

Been away from Rev. Davis and the guitar for months and months now...  a visit to a friend ended up in a guitar coming home with me on basically a permanent basis, so I figured it was time to re-acquaint myself:

Yes +1 on the feel. You have that lovely Davis 'lope' to your playing. Also great to see your skull has some friends back there

[frankie]

Thanks, guys.

That's right, Gumbo. Uncle Carmine has found a couple of buddies hanging around...

[Bald Melon Jefferson]

Boy...I could sure live with that voice if it came out of my mouth! If only.
Nice, all the way around Frank.

  Gary

[frankie]

Thanks, Gary!

[frankie]

One take is all I get:

[Mr.OMuck]

One take is all it took! Terrific Frank!

[uncle bud]

Nicely done,  Frank. Guitar, vocal, all sound great. Bet the guitar is great in the rain too..

I've been delving into the Rev. in A recently (not posting level delving yet and I definitely need more than one take!). Boy, it sure is satisfying for me to have even some of it fall together.

[Prof Scratchy]

Great singing and playing as usual!

[harvey]

wow ! ... really enjoyed that thanks Frankie ! 

[frankie]

Thanks, all of you. Glad you liked it - I always loved Rev. Davis's spoken introduction to this song on the Stinson record:

"I let this song answer for prayer when I get to a place where I can't pray."

That kinda confirmed everything I ever suspected about his music.

[banjochris]

Beautiful number!

[frankie]

Thanks, Chris! I do love that one.