Reverend Gary Davis
Harlem Street Singer (Remastered)
Play Harlem Street Singer (Remastered)
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MOG Editorial Review
No artist ever merged gospel and blues together as well as the Reverend Gary Davis. Legally blind from an early age, Davis's style of the blues originated in the streets during the '20s and '30s, simply playing spirituals for the love of it before gaining wider exposure as the blues caught on. With this 1960 session, Davis quickly shows why he's considered a legend among blues fans, exerting soulful, throaty vocals over acoustic strumming that seemed both wild and respectful at the same time. Even though most of the songs on Harlem Street Singer, including "Samson and Delilah" and "Pure Religion" were traditional hymns, Davis made them into a joyful noise all his own.
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AMG Review of Harlem Street Singer
Matt Fink
All Music GuideRecorded during a three hour session on August 24, 1960, Gary Davis laid down 12 of his most impassioned spirituals for Harlem Street Singer. Starting off the session with a version of Blind Willie Johnson's "If I Had My Way I'd Tear That Building Down," here renamed "Samson and Delilah," Davis is in fine form. His vocals are as expressive as Ray Charles' while similar in richness to Richie Havens' work. Harlem Street Singer features his inspired country blues fingerpicking as well. Many moods color the selections, from the gentle "I Belong to the Band" to the mournful "Death Don't Have No Mercy," only to be followed by the joyous shouting of "Goin' to Sit Down on the Banks of the River." Overall, the collection is well worth the purchase and should be considered essential listening for fans of country blues or gospel.
 "Harlem Street Singer (Remastered)")
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