Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Recorded in the late '50s, this gospel blues recording captures Rev Gary Davis at his finger pickin' peek where he combines his distinctive style of guitar playing with his rasping voice, rubbed raw from years of street singing. On instrumentals like "Buck Dance", his guitar playing is given full expression and his use of percussive effects is also demonstrated. This mix of blues and ragtime playing shows the blues preacher's versatility and these recordings also contain the first recordings of songs that became classics like the instrumentals "Cocaine Blues" and "Hesitation". The album title is very apt since these tunes range from the inspiring gospel message of "Right Now" to the flipside of warnings like "Bad Company". Ultimately this is essential listening for anyone interested in the blues.

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