PD Productions
Latest update: ... 23rd April 2026
The Gospel blues train .... is another aspect of the blues;
it may be loosely described as a form of blues based on gospel music that
has been around since the very beginning of the blues and beyond.
It combines sacred lyrics with a blues flavour, often with a blues guitar accompaniment.
Anecdotally, the term Gospel blues was originally used to describe Reverend Gary Davis's style of traditional playing with lyrics
conveying a religious message.
Gary Davis, Thomas Dorsey and Blind Willie
Johnson are considered the genre's three dominant performers, the Rev
Dorsey being described as the ‘Father of Gospel Blues’ Underpinning the work of a myriad
of Gospel blues artists, many acknowledge the influence of the works and
writings of W C Handy.
Many blues musicians even became lay ministers, or even ordained clergy, including Reverend Robert Wilkins and Ishman
Bracey.