One of the most celebrated Native American musician, Jesse Ed Davis may be best known for turning into a go-to guitarist for three Beatles – moved by Jesse’s performance at the Concert for Bangladesh, George gave him “Sue Me, Sue You Blues” before the writer’s own version was out; John invited him to deliver all the electric solos on “Walls And Bridges”; he left a noticeable imprint on Ringo’s “Goodnight Vienna”; and that’s just a few Davis’ contributions to rock canon – but much more impressive is the fact of his presence on records by fellow six-stringers Eric Clapton and Bert Jansch. Factor in his work with Albert King and Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Leon Russell, Taj Mahal and Jackson Browne, and it’s quite surprising that this artist’s solo albums, of which there only three, all appearing between 1970 and 1973, plus a mid-’80s collaborative effort with poet John Trudell, are not universally known. Still, aficionados cherish those platters and will welcome the long-overdue CD version of the great late performer’s “Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day” comp which first arrived several months ago on a limited-run vinyl.
Comprised of outtakes and alternative takes of songs from Jesse’s 1971 eponymous debut and 1972’s “Ululu” – two works featuring, among others, Dr. John, Alan White, and Gram Parsons – it’s a top-notch collection of originals like Davis’ own “Washita Love Child” presented here in three variants, and covers including “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison. Out on May 9th, it promises to enrich the listener’s understanding of the talent who passed away all too soon.
Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day
1. Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day
2. Crazy Love (alternate take)
3. Kansas City (instrumental)
4. Rock And Roll Gypsies (alternate version)
5. Tracks Of My Tears
6. Every Night Is Saturday Night (alternate version)
7. Love Minus Zero/No Limit (instrumental)
8. “Slinky Jam” (instrumental)
9. Qualified (instrumental)
10. Washita Love Child (slow instrumental #1)
11. Washita Love Child (slow instrumental #2)
12. Washita Love Child (instrumental with Pow Wow introduction)
13. Washita Love Child (alternate lead vocal)
14. Ain’t No Beatle
15. Caravan (instrumental)
16. Pat’s Song (Golden Sun Goddess) (alternate instrumental)
17. Ululu (alternate instrumental)
