Artist: Guy Davis
Album: Be Ready When I Call You
Label: M.C. Records
Release Date: 6.4.21
The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 is finally getting the exposure it deserves. One of the most sickening and deplorable events ever to take place in America, the true story of a white mob’s violent rampage through Tulsa’s thriving, all-Black Greenwood neighborhood had almost been completely redacted from history. Then, along came the 2019 TV series Watchmen.
Suddenly, the killings, the bombings and the sheer brutality of that shameful episode had the spotlight, thanks to the critically acclaimed show. Guy Davis, son of actors and civil rights activists Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, won’t let it be swept under the rug again, as the rustic, acoustic blues sting and righteous fervor of “God’s Gonna Make Things Over,” from his compelling new album Be Ready When I Call You, starkly illustrates the horror and ugliness of such heinous acts. There’s more heartfelt political and social commentary where that came from.
Feeling his oats, Davis casts a jumpy “Flint River Blues” in a similar light, its catchy, bluesy hops spotlighting the hypocrisy and cruelty of politicians who allowed the water crisis to happen. Meanwhile, the exotic, sweeping “Palestine, Oh Palestine” feels even more timely, addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with a rich blend of vocals and the intimacy of Cat Stevens.
Having starred in the off-Broadway version of “Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil,” Davis truly is “An Ambassador of the Blues,” with the harmonica-driven “I Got a Job in the City” steadily mining the genre’s insistent grooves, as Professor Louis does his best Ray Manzarek impression on organ. Louis’ superb keyboard playing colors the songs he’s involved with beautifully, although he doesn’t appear on a joyfully bumpy, swaggering cover of Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful (It’s Alright, It’s Alright)” that only serves to cement Davis’ well-earned reputation as a blues master, no matter if he’s singing or working things out on banjo, harp, acoustic guitar or tambourine.
Still, Be Ready When I Call You also draws from folk and Americana traditions, as the lovely banjo picking and mandolin filigree of “Got Your Letter in My Pocket” seem to float in from the backwoods of Appalachia and a swaying “I’ve Looked Around,” an impassioned, empathetic defense of immigrants, recalls Bob Dylan’s more earnest pleas, as does a wistful “200 Days.” Lyrics about meeting and avoiding the devil are plentiful, and a raucous, womanizing “Badonkadonk Train” testifies to Davis’ weakness for sins of the flesh. Nevertheless, when Davis calls, be sure to pick up.
—Peter Lindblad
Thanks Peter for the great review!