Song:Goin' Out West Parts 1 & 2
Album:Box Of The Blues
Most music fans are probably familiar with Stevie Ray Vaughan's recording of Texas Flood. But they probably don't know that the song was written and originally recorded by guitarist Larry Davis. Davis was a veteran sideman who was finally getting noticed as a solo artist when he died in 1994. He was born Dec. 4, 1936 in Kansas City, MO and grew up in Little Rock, AR. He started out in the mid 50s playing bass with guitarist Fenton Robinson. They signed with Don Robey's Duke label on the recommendation of Bobby Bland. Texas Flood was one of three singles released before they were dropped. Davis became a studio musician and bass player for Albert King. King taught him to play guitar. He recorded some singles for Virgo in the late 60s and a 1972 motorcycle accident left Davis paralyzed on the left side. He recorded a couple of albums in the 80s but finally got his big chance when Ron Levy signed him to Bullseye Blues. Goin' Out West is from Davis' 1992 CD Sooner Or Later featuring the Memphis Horns. It's also part of this 4CD various artists box set from Rounder. But just as things were looking up, Larry Davis died of cancer on Apr. 19, 1994 at age 57. It's too bad it took him so long to get noticed. He was an excellent guitarist. Here's Larry Davis performing in the early 90s.
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