This classic release from 1982 has finally made its way onto CD. For 42 glorious minutes, you will experience sweet, soulful, southern blues. Arkansas-raised Larry Davis began his musical career by playing drums in dance bands. His partnering with Fenton Robinson in Little Rock resulted in record contracts and regional hits. Fenton chose to head north while Larry remained in the south and joined Albert King's band. After a horrific motorcycle accident left him partially paralyzed in 1972, Larry gave up on music. A few years later King rekindled Davis' musical career.

Larry's Robinson-influenced vocals and King-influenced guitar playing share center stage on this disc. Throughout 10 funky grooves his soulful voice is wide-ranging and his chilling guitar is disciplined. He recorded the disc with many blues veterans: Phil Westmoreland (guitar), Billy Gayles (drums), Jimmy Hinds (bass/drums), Eugene Johnson (bass) and Don Smith (drums).

The music begins with the title track and its strong theme of voodoo, spells and superstition. The inimitable piano of Johnnie Johnson can be easily heard in the background along with the sax of Oliver Sain on "Teardrops". Here, Davis plays abrasive guitar with the right amount of scratch. Larry gets commanding guitar tones that alternate between soft and sharp like a pendulum on "Totsy". "Since I Been Loving You" is a sensual piece of soul/funk with a dominant theme of change. There is so much emotion on "Walk Out Like A Lady", it is sure to convert new fans to the blues. For those already converted, the heartbreak that Davis forces you to experience will re-convict you to the genre.

The liner notes lack specific information about the recording sessions that resulted in this CD. All that is revealed is that it was recorded in St. Louis with musicians that Davis grew up with. However, Ken Burch's notes do provide a detailed biography about this now deceased artist. It includes a memorable quote from B.B. King: "Larry Davis is a fantastic singer …without a doubt … he's a great artist." Larry Davis' deep understanding and passion for the blues are exhumed via his vocals and guitar work.
- Tim Holek

May 2002 Southwest Blues