Recorded 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. ~ Matt Fink