Rev. Gary Davis - Hesitation Blues

[@raymondmassey1]

Never heard a man who loved making music more than Reverend Davis. No limo, no entourage, just a chair and guitar, sitting on the sidewalk around 135th street in Harlem buskin' for souls.

[@manuelsaturnino9300]

Thanks man. Love it

[@abianchi0226]

I'm 70 a years old finger picker and I'm still trying to sound like Rev. Gary! This one always brings a smile. Thanks Rev for your inspiration that's lasted my lifetime.

[@Pappysan]

Are you using only thumb and forefinger?

[@robinmiller173]

I can sing and play this, not like Rev. Gary but like me. Folk music, damn it.

[@abianchi0226]

3 finger - thumb, index, middle

[@chrisd7783]

Amen

[@marcopollo3479]

Arnold Bianchi i saw him picking with only two fingers on another video.

[@davidash8486]

The Reverend Gary Davis was main guest at my folk club, 'The Starting Gate', Alexandra Palace, in the early 60s. He did want a girl, he said, but after making us all laugh, he explained that it was only to put his arm around her and play the guitar with his left hand only. As a kid, if his mom could hear the guitar when he was at the bottom of the garden with a girl, she knew he wasn't misbehaving. He went on to delight us all with spirituals and even Candyman and Cocaine Blues, refusing 'help' with his tuning - he preferred a slightly sharp top 'E' string. Much to his agent's distress (Gary was quite old and frail) he accepted our invitation to take him to the Soho clubs, where he played to rapt audiences all night for free. He wasn't so keen on the transport - my cranky prewar Austin 7. Soon after that I got hold of a Gibson J200 (Miss Gibson) and learnt all his stuff, half blues and rags, half gospel. I was booked right through the sixties at folk clubs on the strength of that repertoire. Thank you, Blind Gary Davis.

[@warrenmeckley5273]

david ash

[@warrenmeckley5273]

david ash x

[@toughlikerocks]

I loved reading this. You must have so many great stories to tell.

[@russjalichandra5491]

This picture, depicting Rev.Davis in sunglasses, cigarette dangling from his mouth, playing mean ragtime guitar, is the epitome, one of the coolest pictures of a blues man there ever is.

[@bilrux]

Rev. Davis' style is unique. His picking is "Piedmont," but his syncopation is Jelly Roll/Creole Ragtime. I met him briefly in 1965, and it was an inspiration.

[@haroldsteinblatt2567]

This is the masterpiece version of this song, not only the guitar playing , but the wit, the engagement with the crowd.

[@kevinhennessey3189]

Was a fan of SF bands as a kid, found out about Rev Gary from Hot Tuna Albums. Grateful Dead covered 'Death Don't Have No Mercy'. WOnderful player and singer.

[@artskate2000]

I snuck into Gerdes when I was 15 years old just to hear this guy. One of my forever idols...The Legendary RT

[@donaldsherak9406]

I was 16 when I "snuck" into Gerdes with my friend Colin. We had heard how it went - you just had to show up real early, plead a bit and promise you wouldn't try to get alcohol. We were there for Sonny and Brownie. They let us sit in the back and eat sandwiches and drink ginger ale. On the break between sets, who was sitting right next to us, Terry and McGee. I was in heaven. Heard Reverend Gary a few times in NYC. Once he was just doing his thing in Central Park before the Butterfield Blues Band concert started up. Just walking, playing, talking his amazing, fluid stuff.

[@donaldsherak9406]

I got into Gerdes also, at age 16, late 60s, with my buddy Colin, but to hear Sonny and Brownie. They set us up in the back, gave us sodas and were totally cool on it. Thank you again, Gerdes. Caught the Rev just playing in Central Park and elsewhere.

[@fredmichaels418]

You know I woke up this morning just 'bout half past four Hesitation Blues was knockin' on my door Tell me, how long, do baby I haft'a wait? Can I get you now? Now somebody tryin' to get a married woman out you understand ? Ain't no use in me working so hard I got me two good women Working in the rich folks' yard You know how long . Get the power back , you understand ? Try to break up every home, where folks be gettin' along all right, Some these women quit a good man , fer an ole power back man, Ain't done nothin' but work from town to town. Kin I getch'a now honey ? Try to get some time for ya to slip off here you understand ? He said I ain't your good man, Ain't even your good man's son. But I can get in the place of your good man 'til your good man comes. You maintain or you understand ye get yer eyes beat out in your own home, you understand ? Well, I ain't no miller, Ain't no miller's son. I can grind a little corn for ya, 'til the miller comes. He's offerin' hi'self to ya, ya know? She got sense enough to talk for herself , ya know? Cause she know she got a good man. But he looks all right to her, you understand he might not be the straightest you understand? How long ? Do I haft'a wait ? Kin I getch'a now baby ? She say " I got me a good man ." He said Well, I ain't no wine presser, Ain't no wine presser's son; But I can press out a little juice fer ya Till the wine presser comes. Kin I getch'a now baby ? Here what he tell her, I ain't no grocery man, Ain't no grocery man's son; But I kin buy you a little groceries Till the grocery man comes Don't know how long, he just wants somewhere to lay his head, you know ? Kin I getch'a now baby ? Do I haft'a hesitate ? I ain't no cradle rocker, Ain't no cradle rocker's son; But I can do a little rockin' for you 'til your cradle man comes. Baby, listen at me honey , kin I getch'a now ? sometime I got get sick , Well, I ain't no doctor, Ain't no doctor's son; But I can cure a few cases, 'til the doctor man comes. Kin I getch'a now baby ? Do I haft'a help pay? She say "I haf'ta have some money. " Eagle on the dollar say, "In God We Trust" Woman's flashy, wants a man but I declare She wants a dollar first. Lord have Mercy I ain't no bookkeeper, Ain't no bookkeeper's son; But I can keep a few books fer ya 'til yer bookkeeper comes. She have a hard time gettin' away from me ,you know you makin' her such a good offer , "you look all right too " that's what she took home. I ain't no milkman, Ain't no milkman's son; But I can keep you supplied 'til your milkman comes. Better look out fer that man gonna break up they home why, that man beat yer brains out gonna quick yer de boot. you wouldn' like that would ya ? I ain't no chauffeur, Ain't no chauffeur's son; But I can do a little driving 'til your chauffeur comes Kin he getch'a now ? Do I haft'a hesitate ? Well, I ain't no back-breaker, Ain't no back-breaker's son; But I can stretch out my back for ya 'til your back-breaker comes. Tell me how long awwww shucks ! Kin I getch'a now baby ? Tell me somthin' now! Well, you might have somebody , he say I ain't got no woman and I ain't got no kids Ain't got nobody at all to be bothered with. Tellin' them lies, you understand ? Kin I getch'a now baby ? My house sure gott'a pay er prepay ya I ain't no rent payer, Ain't no rent payer's son; But I can scrape up a few rents for ya 'til the payer of rent comes. Anyhow, well, Lord have mercy. Kin I getch'a now baby ? Well, I ain't been to heaven, but I've been told, they said St. Peter learnt the angels how to do the Jelly Roll Kin I getch'a now baby or do I haft'a hesitate ? Me and my buddy and two , three more ; We get good women everywhere we go. Kin I getch'a now ? Well, I hitched up the mule, And the mule wouldn't pull. Took the harness off the mule, And put the harness on the bull. Tell me how long? Yeah, kin I getch'a now baby? Tell me somethin now ! Blacker the berry the sweeter the juice. I'd be a fool if I quit the woman I got, 'cause it ain't no use. Let me tell ya, God knows her . Well, I got hesitatin' stockings Hesitatin' shoes I got a hesitatin' woman Singing me the hesitatin' blues Kin I getch'a now baby? You sat around here and gonna make a good woman to quitch'a now . you say a one man, woman lover, I might say "yeah quit me " I ain't gonna 'round no fight I always got somethin maybe come a runnin' by, That man ain't in good shape, you understand ? Well sir, yeah. Men in the country hollering, "Whoa, haw, gee!" Women in the city flying around Askin' the question, "Who wants me?" Kin I getch'a now baby ? Do I haft'a hesitate ? Ashes to ashes and dust to dust, Just show me a woman that a man can trust. You know how they are . Baby do I haft'a wait ? Do I get ya now ? Then he kick up his heels and says hear You know, my mother told me When I was just six years old I'm gonna be a good women getter God bless your soul Kin I getch'a now baby ? Tell me somethin now baby please !

[@nahullochafa4975]

The human race is lucky to have an articulate guy like you who has all the answers.

[@Harmonicajello]

This is just great!!! If it is out of tune it still sounds marvellous to me. Don't be so picky, just absorb the beauty of the sound he makes. Wish i was half as good. Twenty five per cent even...

[@fauxhokington]

Every now and again God graces mankind with something great - when he sent the reverend he was feeling particularily enthusiastic I think - If I get to heaven the first thing Im going to ask is 'where's the reverend at" that's where I want to be : )

[@rjwh67220]

I’ve been trying to play like Rev. Davis for about fifty-five years and I can finally play Samson and Delilah just like the record. He was one of the best guitarists ever to live, and he only picked with his thumb and index fingers.

[@sweetiepiedave]

Saw him do a gig in Hull (UK) in 1969. Incomparable, even if his chat was mainly about women he'd had, or hadn't had, or would like to have. Struck me as odd for a reverend gentleman, but never mind. What a performer.

[@flipspiceland64]

Many thanks for putting this on the 'net.

[@kungfuseafoo]

I saw him in 1968 and he was incredible. I am grateful I had the opportunity.

[@stratocastro]

One of the best vocalist ever

[@SuperOlds88]

Great playing by the Maestro.

[@666xb]

hats off to the gentleman playing his blues. they may laugh but you know what truth ya speaking. go on boy, I hear ya

[@phil36135]

Awesome raw talent!

[@wastrelway3226]

I'm not a fig-plucker, not a fig-plucker's son, but i can pluck figs 'till the fig-pluckin's done.

[@filterman0623]

Who slit the sheet? I slit the sheet! Whoever slit the sheet is a good sheet slitter! Alternately, I slit a sheet A sheet I slit. Upon a slitted sheet I sit.

[@harkening1]

love what you did with the photo.

[@massimoblues]

The super sound of Rev Gary davis

[@ianmccomb9824]

HE AINT NO ONES CHILD, A BROTHER TO HIS GOD AND ALSO HIS GUITAR. I COULD BELIE.ITS ALL THERE VE THAT IF HE WASNT SO WONDERFUL THAT HE COULD GO AROUND HYPNOTISING PEOPLE LIKE ME ,.,. ME AND PROBABLY A LOT MORE DREAMERS LIKE ME CAUSE THATS THE ONLY WAY I WILL MANAGE THAT TUNE OR ANYTHING LIKE THE AURA HE EMANATES.THEN THERE IS HIS COMEDY TIMING ITS PERFECT. JUST LIKE HIS SOUL.HES GOT IT ALL . THANKYOU FOR THE YEARS

[@muhrvis]

He can vary his lines and syncopate so amazingly...

[@donbiancamano5663]

I enjoy the hell out of his picking.

[@MaabudZ]

I'm working on Roy Bookbinder's lessons for this song. He said the Rev. would play a different variation on the guitar for every verse he sang. Sounds like he may be playing a 12 string here. I know he did play a 12 string sometimes.

[@christaylor2070]

yes he did play 12 string but I'm sure not here - sounds like his Gibson J200 6 string😁

[@michaelmcdonald3057]

Masterpiece.

[@reverendmississippi]

what a superb upload

[@BubbasMeisa]

Yes!!

[@YourMusikBlows]

I don't know anything about the blues, however I do enjoy this song. So. Yup.

[@coravisser727]

This is really fantastic it is difficult to talk and to play seems to me then,

[@coravisser727]

Thank you Bluesdriver it is awesome music.

[@IndependentGeorge76]

@o0oDaveSo0o actually that's a popular misconception - if you listen to Jelly Roll's Hesitation Blues from his Library Congress recordings (on youtube i believe) he says "for a long time people thought i wrote this tune, i used to sell leaf copies for 35cents..." its an old blues standard, but yeah he was the first to really popularise it.

[@Nib40]

Wow he posed a long time for that film.

[@nedkelly8495]

Exquisite

[@towerjunkie1947]

I love how funny this is whilst staying bluesy.

[@deefjohnholler]

thanks for the link to the stories. it has revived my love of his music and it wasn't exactly waning. but, danny kalb's comment '"If he had sight he would have been more than a genius." genuinely, one of the least intelligent comments i have ever read. apart from the ones about his time signatures and tuning further down this page.

[@jeffreymccomas3281]

This man is why I put down the heavy metal guitar and picked up my old acoustic guitar its an old 60 model hummingbird but she still sounds great

[@HieroCrew420]

Kind of strange to take a jab at flight of the conchords when uploading a rev. gary davis song. I like them both

[@hugoagogo4324]

Brilliant

[@net0465]

Woaw ..... :)

[@ErwinS81]

hahaha, thumbs up for the video description .

[@blzmnky]

Boss tune m8, love Gary!

[@despinaluigini7991]

magnifico....

[@HeidiFegles]

Rev Davis is the most gangster person to ever touch a guitar. If you listen he’s playing with 3 hands.

[@leepolakoff9551]

Awesome

[@pukulu]

This guy was good.

[@perrysar5954]

I ain't no milk man or milk man's son...but I can keep you supplied till the milkman come....LUV IT!

[@MyMoppet52]

I sure wish I could have seen him play with Hot Tuna or Dave Bromberg. Boy, that would have been some show and he would have had some great pointers for them! Boy, I wish I could have just seen him!!! I love his guitar. I don't play but usually notice the tuning. Not with this! He is just perfect!!! Thank you so much for this!!!

[@TheTbear111]

Buchanstreet/ This is the guy that contributed so much to Hot Tuna/ Jorma and Hillbilly Jazz in general. I guess he was the guy to see in the Village in the sixties+.

[@jameskey4633]

Stefan Grossman was his lead boy for a while

[@reverendmississippi]

I wanted to play electric until i heard death as no mercy thanks gary

[@boduke7397]

wow

[@A9P7F3T1RZ]

@busessuck1 originality the bi-product of greatness!

[@simplethunder]

Hey, someone who worries too much about mistakes doesn't completely understand what the blues means yet. ;)

[@Noejjkkkj]

Nobody knows what the blues means

[@gsmarin1]

They are completely clueless and should be ignored

[@EricS16]

Hey, just so you know - the link above no longer points to content about the Rev. - it's been taken over by a domain squatter

[@rad0r.]

he is hesitating!

[@muhrvis]

Jorma plays great versions of the Revs songs and is a tremendous player. I think he has a better feel for Davis than any other living player does. If you asked him, I am sure he'd make it clear that he isn't trying to "imitate" the man, he just loves his music like you or I do. I dare you to try to play like Jorma does, I dare you...

[@donnieblue1007dm]

Frank Fotusky is a great finger picker! Check him out!

[@Leitros-kj4qb]

Yes, this song with Janis on the typewriter tapes is iconic.

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

Sixty examples of blues guitarists who were older than Gary Davis and recorded: Elijah Avery Nathan Beauregard Eddie Bowles John Bray Rabbit Brown Bo Carter Crying Sam Collins Elizabeth Cotten Tom Darby Carl Davis Simmie Dooley Andrew Everett Willie Ford Jack Gowdlock Clarence Greene Willie Harris Roy Harvey Curtis Hayes Nap Hayes Myrt Holmes Barnes Howell John Hurt Jim Jackson Papa Charlie Jackson Lemon Jefferson Paul Johnson Tommy Johnson Charley Jordan Luke Jordan Louis Keppard Huddie Ledbetter Mance Lipscomb Sam McGee George Montgomery William Moore Isaiah Nettles Marshall Owens Charlie Patton Miles Pratcher Homer Roberson Willie Santiago Esther Mae Scott Allen Shaw Son Sims Freddie Spruell Vol Stevens Frank Stokes Jimmie Strothers J.D. Suggs Joe Taggart Steve Tarter Jimmie Tarlton Bill Tatnall L.V. Thomas Henry Thomas Buford Threlkeld Louis Washington Johnny Watson Richard Williams Hosea Woods

[@pianimal1]

Joseph Scott : Your Point?

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

Barry Cuda If you're interested in early blues, those 60 blues guitarists were older than Gary and you might be interested in their work.

[@mabudia4177]

+Joseph Scott By "older" I guess you mean "earlier" or something like that. Blind Lemon Jefferson died at the age of 36.

[@thebrazilianatlantis165]

By older I mean older.

[@turk1eighty2]

Do you listen to John Heneghan's Old Time Radio Show? If not you'd probably really like it.

[@RyanONeillmusic4all]

yeah...

[@85dime8]

damn ol' rev, put down that sacramental wine and tune that fuckin E

[@grip642]

American Icon Only the few get it the ones who don`t what have you done

[@qballmystery6060]

You people just dont get it, I'm sorry. This is Blues, Country Blues and Ragtime. It isn't Classical Music, where every note in the piece has to be played perfect. The more perfect you can play it, the higher people rate your performance. More often, players of this genre never play a tune the same way twice. So what, are you going to fault them for that? The Reverend's tuning may not suit you, or his timing may not be proper in your judgement. Thats what brings life, soul and feeling into it. Its not meant to be perfect. One thing you might want to remember. A Master hits the mark every time, a genius hits a mark no one else can see. Stop being so critical and listen, maybe you will learn something.

[@alicein49]

Same thing makes "classical" musicians good too. Same deal.

[@bobu5213]

Damn right. Straight blues.

[@AlexM-uq3cm]

Gu l your kgkfkfifod

[@Dr.Catacus]

I’m an old guy, and I’ve been listening to these styles for over 50 years. This is the essence of music. One man, one guitar, one microphone... priceless. This is music that always evolves with every player. Ask Bob.

[@DanneoYT]

@@Dr.Catacus Ask Joe

[@simplethunder]

I'm a whiskey drinker, though I'm no whiskey drinker's son. I used to drink milk, eat honey 'till the devil came along. Tell me how long?

[@2KEKER2]

matt301273 is not totaly wrong, I heard Gary Davis always had the low E string deeper than it should have been mathematicly. It's obvious on Death don't have no mercy that is in E key. It is maybe on of the things that makes him so unique according to the melody in my opinion.

[@kaecake9575]

Still has more soul than my Generation Z ✨

[@crabbyeelpot]

great tune but the link to his website no longer works

[@reverendmississippi]

thanks you tube.

[@turrafirmaguitarchannel]

I’m hearing Bach the way the lead line intersperses with the bass.

[@GoldenNakai17]

rad fucking flight of the conchords burn in the description

[@interstategar]

This is harder to play than it might seem. Trust me.

[@70blackfeetboy]

@matt301273 Who cares about the tuning, it's not that far out, and he was an AMAZING guitarist!

[@TheMissteal]

hesitate to comment.......... words fail

[@TheSecondNature]

comments on this video are absurd are you people serious?

[@muhrvis]

Agree that he is the greatest and a joy to listen to, but there is nothing wrong with "copy cats." He freely taught a of of blues players and they carried on something of his style. Not a thing wrong with someone wanting to sound like the best or aspiring to greatness.

[@grip642]

American Icon Only the few get it

[@angiel2045]

Perfect timing is over-rated too.

[@busessuck1]

@matt301273 ...doesn't need to be 'cause I think it's matching to his voice

[@alskndlaskndal]

Anyone know when this was recorded?

[@seanchan3559]

Aye, listen to Jimi Hendrix; listen to Jimmy Page; they didn't play perfectly. Although... Stevie Ray Vaughan played virtually perfectly, even live, but that's another story.

[@o0oDaveSo0o]

His guitar is not out of tune. Due to the playing of a diminished 5th above the melody - this adds a rustic or "out-of-tune" sound. This song was originaly composed by Jelly Roll Morton (piano) {1885-1941}. @TheThunderbyrd - to say Jorma is an "over rated blues player" is very incorrect. Jorma is very underated and never truly got the recognition he deserved, regardless of the style of music he played.

[@mgmityu]

Sorry, but yes, the guitar was out of tune. But it is not a problem, we can love this track with this "condition" too. :)

[@SirCoughsalot]

The guitar is very obviously out of tune.

[@uessaloniki]

This looks like manolis chiotises' music look him up!

Soooo funny!

[@PatCrowe]

The only line that need apply to all the criticism is: "He's offering himself to you." Think about it.

[@JackDeville1]

@johnmitchel1958 yes. eat your biscuit, and have fun playing outside

[@kurtbiewald4070]

YET

[@WillSolomon02]

He may not have been perfect, but their is a tenet of Christ to become mature (Matthew 5:48), be perfect (mature) as your Father in heaven is perfect." That is learn to live like Christ with Christ's help. Many of the old blues singers god became their ability to make/play music. To entertain others. That which was a blessing became a curse. They became the object of worship, which is only regulated to God and God alone.

[@jescossunglasses]

I made a playlist of 60 blues guitarists check it out.

[@mykadia]

@Frakfayt If he were messy with the time signature, the number of beats per bar would be changing. You mean that he is sloppy with the tempo.

[@thomaskline]

Gee, why do you think they call it Ragtime? Oh, you mean he does that on purpose. I’ve sat in a room listening to the Rev about a dozen times. He would have done the same thing with Mozart. Mo would have loved it.

[@ironmaz1]

well, I aint been to heaven but ive been told.....?

[@285209]

Dylan...Miles Davis...they wanted those mistakes in there...

[@despinaluigini7991]

the musical talent you should not compare to privacy

[@brandonbox7224]

Stop preaching to everyone. Just listen to the damn song.

[@AnalogOpher]

Pretty sassy lyrics for the Rev would'nt you say? Mrs Davis musta been tied down back on the ranch. Some of his illustrious prodiges were prob corrupting his soul with some hard liquor back stage.

[@kurtbiewald4070]

we use a large vibrating egg

[@coldoldrice]

Perfect tuning is over rated, listen to Lightnin' Hopkins...

[@kurtbiewald4070]

i aint the miller, i aaint the miler sson

[@laurencelondonUK]

Obviously everybody here needs to be concious of the fact that tuning doesn't necessarily mean that every string needs to be evenly tempered and A needs to move at 440 vibrations per second. If it did then pretty much all the blues guitar of the 20th century from Robert Johnson onwards could be described as being 'out of tune' which I think most people would disagree with

[@lynettekomidar]

the out of tune sound was later found to be in the recording and unfortunately thanks to ditizing they have made the sound too sterile

[@PaoloEPapo]

the original is always better than a simply copy, m i wrong mr. kaukonen?

[@flipspiceland64]

He might have been a religious man. If so, he may have subscribed to the biblical tenet that Only God is perfect, and as such you--- as a human not being ---- should put a slight imperfection in everything you do, even if you can do it perfectly. Some famous architects have done the same thing.