Larry Davis (December 4, 1936 – April 19, 1994) was an
American electric Texas blues and soul blues musician. He is best known for
co-composing the song "Texas Flood", later recorded to greater
commercial success by Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Born in either Kansas City, Missouri or Pine Bluff,
Arkansas, and raised in England, Arkansas and Little Rock, Arkansas, Davis
swapped playing the drums to learn to play the bass guitar.
Forging an intermittent partnership with guitarist Fenton
Robinson during the mid-'50s, the pair signed with Don Robey's Duke label on
the recommendation of Bobby Bland.
Davis had three singles released, which included "Texas
Flood" and "Angels in Houston". Thereafter, Davis had limited
opportunity in the recording studio. He resided in St. Louis, Missouri for a
while, and played bass in Albert King's group. He also learned 
conventional
guitar at this time, as the original guitar playing on Davis's recording of
"Texas Flood" was by Robinson.
conventional
guitar at this time, as the original guitar playing on Davis's recording of
"Texas Flood" was by Robinson.
Several single releases on the Virgo and Kent labels
followed, but in 1972 a motorcycle accident temporarily paralyzed Davis' left
side. He returned a decade later with an album released by Rooster Blues, Funny
Stuff, which was produced by Oliver Sain.
He won four W.C. Handy Awards in 1982, yet a decade on he was known only to blues specialists. His 1987 Pulsar LP, I Ain't Beggin' Nobody, proved difficult even for blues enthusiasts to locate.
He won four W.C. Handy Awards in 1982, yet a decade on he was known only to blues specialists. His 1987 Pulsar LP, I Ain't Beggin' Nobody, proved difficult even for blues enthusiasts to locate.
Finally, in 1992, Ron
Levy's Bulleye Blues logo issued a first-class Davis set, Sooner or Later, that
skilfully showcased his rich, booming vocals and concise, Albert
King-influenced guitar. Unfortunately, it came later rather than sooner: Davis died
of cancer in the spring of 1994 at the age of 57. (Info edited from Wikipedia & AMG)
Larry Davis live in Hartford, CT. 1987. Larry Davis – Guitar
& vocals; .JJ Jackson – Sax; .James Cloyd – Bass; Perdis Wilson – Drums &
Jimmy Wolf – Guitar.
1 comment:
For Larry Davis - Sooner or Later (1992) go here:
http://www5.zippyshare.com/v/f8KTIIW3/file.html
1. How Could You Do It to Me [4:45]
2. I'm Workin' on It [2:59]
3. Penitentiary Blues [4:11]
4. You'll Need Another Favor [4:22]
5. Help the Poor [3:55]
6. Letter from My Darling [3:53]
7. Goin' Out West, Pts. 1 & 2 [5:58]
8. 102nd Street Blues [4:23]
9. How Long [3:06]
10. Little Bluebird [5:50]
11. Little Rock [2:44]
Unless someone has the ultimate Larry Davis album still awaiting release somewhere, the late guitarist's final album also looks to be his best. Sumptuously produced by organist/Bullseye Blues boss Ron Levy with the Memphis Horns providing punchy interjections, Davis roars a finely conceived concoction of covers and his own material ("Goin' Out West," "Little Rock") that represent contemporary blues at its finest.
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