Walter Davis
Walter Davis (March 1, 1912 – October 22, 1963) was an African American blu… Read Full Bio ↴Walter Davis (March 1, 1912 – October 22, 1963) was an African American blues singer and pianist.
Davis had a rich singing voice that was as expressive as the best of the Delta blues vocalists. His best-known recording, a version of the train blues standard "Sunnyland Blues", which he released in 1931, is more notable for the warmth and poignancy of his singing than for his piano playing. Two more of his best known songs were "Ashes In My Whiskey" and "Blue Blues".
He was also billed as 'Hooker Joe'.
For the Blue Note jazz pianist see Walter Davis, Jr.
Davis was born on a farm in Grenada, Mississippi, United States, and ran away from home at about 13 years of age, landing in St. Louis, Missouri. During the period from the late 1920s through the early 1950s he played club dates in the South and the lower Midwest, often with guitarist Henry Townsend and fellow pianist Peetie Wheatstraw, and recorded prolifically. Roosevelt Sykes accompanied him on his first records (1930–33); thereafter he had the ability or confidence to play for himself.
He was among the most productive and popular recording artists in blues, cutting about 180 sides between 1930 and 1952, several of which ("M&O Blues", "Angel Child" and "Come Back Baby") have been taken up by other singers.
Davis appears to have stopped performing professionally around 1953. Suffering from health problems, primarily a stroke, he settled in St. Louis, Missouri, supporting himself as a night clerk at a hotel and as a preacher. He died in St. Louis in 1963, aged 51.
He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2005.
For the Blue Note pianist: Walter Davis, Jr
Davis had a rich singing voice that was as expressive as the best of the Delta blues vocalists. His best-known recording, a version of the train blues standard "Sunnyland Blues", which he released in 1931, is more notable for the warmth and poignancy of his singing than for his piano playing. Two more of his best known songs were "Ashes In My Whiskey" and "Blue Blues".
He was also billed as 'Hooker Joe'.
For the Blue Note jazz pianist see Walter Davis, Jr.
Davis was born on a farm in Grenada, Mississippi, United States, and ran away from home at about 13 years of age, landing in St. Louis, Missouri. During the period from the late 1920s through the early 1950s he played club dates in the South and the lower Midwest, often with guitarist Henry Townsend and fellow pianist Peetie Wheatstraw, and recorded prolifically. Roosevelt Sykes accompanied him on his first records (1930–33); thereafter he had the ability or confidence to play for himself.
He was among the most productive and popular recording artists in blues, cutting about 180 sides between 1930 and 1952, several of which ("M&O Blues", "Angel Child" and "Come Back Baby") have been taken up by other singers.
Davis appears to have stopped performing professionally around 1953. Suffering from health problems, primarily a stroke, he settled in St. Louis, Missouri, supporting himself as a night clerk at a hotel and as a preacher. He died in St. Louis in 1963, aged 51.
He was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2005.
For the Blue Note pianist: Walter Davis, Jr
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Walter Davis Lyrics
Blue Ghost Blues I'm a poor broken-hearted bachelor Living out here all alone…
M & O Blues My baby's gone And she won't come back no mo' My baby's…
M&O Blues M&O Blues Trk 3 3:07 Walter Davis (Walter Davis) With Roosev…
M. & O. Blues My baby's gone And she won't come back no mo' My baby's…
Minute Man Blues My train is leaving An I ain't got my fare My train…
Pleading to My Baby I been pleadin' to my baby 'Don't leave me all alone' I…
Railroad Man Blues My train is leaving An I ain't got my fare My train…
Ride Daddy Ride I wanna ramble I wanna roam c million miles away…
Root Man Blues My train is leaving An I ain't got my fare My train…
Sad And Lonesome Blues My baby's gone up the country Lord, an she won't come…
That Stuff You Sell Ain't No Good That stuff you sell, ain't no good Smells just like Old rott…
Think You Need a Shot You got bad blood mama and I believe you need…
Worried Man Blues People, if you hear me hummin' On this song both night…