James Thunderbird Davis - What Else Is There To Do (rehearsal) — Mp3

Tragically, Davis's revived career was short-lived; he died of a heart attack while performing on stage at the Blues Saloon in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 24, 1992.

Are you interested in other rare blues rehearsal tapes or the full tracklist of the album?

James “Thunderbird” Davis | - WangDangDula - WordPress.com Tragically, Davis's revived career was short-lived; he died

Davis first recorded "What Else Is There To Do" as a single for Don Robey’s Duke Records in 1961 (Duke 343). While critically lauded, his early work remained largely regional to the Deep South, leading to his temporary withdrawal from the music industry for nearly 20 years.

This specific tape is valued by blues enthusiasts as it documents the "reawakening" of Davis's career. Hammond Scott found Davis in Houma, Louisiana, in 1988 at a time when many believed the singer had passed away. Studio Version and Comeback James “Thunderbird” Davis | - WangDangDula - WordPress

The finalized studio version appeared on his debut full-length album, Check Out Time (1989), which Billboard magazine named the . The studio track features the Black Top All-Stars , including: Guitarists: Anson Funderburgh and Clarence Hollimon. Saxophone: Grady Gaines and Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff. Rhythm Section: Lloyd Lambert (bass) and David Lee (drums).

Tracked in the late 1980s, the rehearsal captured Davis's soulful, gospel-rooted delivery in a raw environment before he headed to Southlake Recording Studio in Metairie, Louisiana. Hammond Scott found Davis in Houma, Louisiana, in

The rehearsal of " What Else Is There To Do " is a rare, informal recording that provides an intimate look into the late-career comeback of a Texas blues legend. Recorded on a cassette tape in the living room of Black Top Records co-founder Hammond Scott at 5340 Camp St., this session served as a reference for Davis's landmark 1989 studio album, Check Out Time . Background and Context