Cyril Davies... British Blues Harp Pioneer

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May 26, 2006 - It would please me to see your honest opinions here as well as any additional information you might supply. Many thanks. Todd

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  • May 3 2010, - Ian Miller-Hall - Aylesbury, Bucks, UK - When I was at school I started playing the harmonica - we were all into blues in the early sixties. I bought Cyril Davies' Country Line Special EP when it first came out. 'Country Line Special' became my harmonica party piece. I still have the EP, I still play harmonica and 'Country Line Special', along with 'Chicago Calling' are still two of my favourite tunes.

  • April 11, 2010 - Mari Nicholson - Isle of Wight - I remember well all that you write about. For a short time I was Secretary of the British Jazz Federation (after James Asman). I took over Beryl Bryden's flat when she went to France to work at The Crazy Horse (she followed Eartha Kitt into that Club and had her contract renewed quite a few times while Sidney Bechet was there) and then we shared when she returned. I remember Alexis Korner visiting a few times. I also have fond memories of Cooks Ferry Inn (it's where I first heard Freddy Randall) and a jazz club in New Compton Street whose name escapes me.

    I came across (your website) today and spent far too long reading the stuff on there. Fascinating, and a trip down memory lane for me. I finally got to New Orleans 5 years ago where I went to attend the wedding of the sister of one of Nola's top musicians, Jonathan Cleary of the Monster Gentlemen Band (recently did a master class for BBC2 on how to play jazz, ragtime, blues etc. piano). With jazz bands and gospel singers, we had a ball.

    I also knew the Christie Bros., Lonnie, Chris, Mick, George, Archie Semple et al. I was one of, sadly few, people who visited Beryl in her last days, but she had a lot at her funeral service and at the party in the 100 Club that followed. Best wishes - www.marinicholson.com

  • January 14, 2010 - David Wilcock - Heysham, UK - Just a quick question, love the web site by the way. Cyril was, along with John Mayall, Sonny Terry and Sonny Boy Williamson, one of my earliest heroes. I can't recall what key harp was used on CLS. Any suggestions gratefully accepted. Keep up the good, and essential, work! See you on the barricades.

  • January 6, 2010 - Bob Davenport - UK - (ed. - during discussions with Pete Dyer, Pete informed us that Bob Davenport and the Clancy Brothers used to appear at the Blues and Barrelhouse Club [upstairs at the Round House pub on Wardour Street] on Thursday nights during the period when Cyril & Alexis held court)

    Yes, Cyril asked me to run a club night once a month. At a party I had in Chelsea, Rory McEwen and Cyril provided the live music on two 12 string guitars - South Africans there said it was the best party they had ever been to. I have a newspaper photo cutting of Cyril, Geoff Bradford and me when we played the Concorde in Southampton.

    I remember Cyril and me did Staines and Richmond folk clubs; we'd do three or four songs each then finish with three of four together, including 'Who Were You With Last Night'? (ed. - Lead Belly recorded over half-a-dozen versions between 1944 and 1948, most often under the title, "Black Girl" or "Black Gal". His first rendition, for Musicraft Records in New York City in February 1944, is arguably his most familiar). Cyril starting it off as a long up-tempo blues then we both sang the chorus. That song went back to the Rory/Cyril party night that I mentioned previously when they played together on 12-string guitars.
    Bob Davenport - The Common Stone - TSCD552
    Legend Bob records songs for his father

  • January 6, 2010 - Gordon Thompson - Saratoga Springs, New York, USA - Just came across your Cyril Davies website. Great work! And I see you have interviews with my late friend, Carlo Little. Even better. When researching my book on sixties British rock and pop, I would have loved to have found this site.

    I think Cyril Davies was a seminal and largely unrecognized figure in the British blues movement. It's sad that he died when he did. He would not have been a teen idol, but he would have gotten the adulation he deserved. I think it was Carlo related the story of how a young guitarist took a liking to Davies' acoustic 12-string guitar. Davies let him play it and, when the young guitarist went to give it back, Davies told him to keep it. Or something like that…well, he was a "panel beater," a job description that my maternal grandfather had when he worked at Ford. Made me like Davies even more.
    Please Please Me: Sixties British Pop, Inside Out - Amazon
    Please Please Me: Sixties British Pop, Inside Out - Oxford University Press


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Introduction: Cyril Who?
Cyril's Denham Home
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Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated
Cyril Davies' R&B All Stars
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