A photograph of the Reverend - which I'm sure Hard Bop Hank will know - sums up all the melancholy and dignity of the negro race. His themes may be a tad too religious in tone for many, but he sings them wonderfully.
Some of his very early recordings supporting Blind Boy Fuller in North Carolina are wonderful. Paul Oliver was a great admirer of the Reverend's guitar playing.
I have no interest in trying to be PC Rip, but I believe the word 'negro' is obsolete and considered by many to be pejorative. Also I know plenty of black people who are not very melancholic and/or lack dignity. I also know white/Asian/Inuit people who are not very melancholic and/or lack dignity.
However I agree that Rev Gary Davis made some great recordings, in fact I was in a (not very good) band 21 years ago and one of our best tracks was our attempt at Say No To The Devil.
Put it down to my age, or something. I really don't mind.