Candyman. By Rev. Gary Davis. Played By Peter Jackson

There are lots of versions of this song, which was made most famous by the great Rev Gary Davis. I believe the song is originally derived from an old show or circus tune, with a deceptively simple refrain. A lot of guitarists learn this tune and put their own interpretations to it.

Many say there is more meaning to "Candyman". That it is a Double Entendre, and while the lyrics often mention seemingly sweet things like "gingerbread" and "peppermint sticks," the term "candy man” in the context of the blues has a more suggestive, adult meaning. Or that “candy man," like “sweetback" or "sweetback man," was slang for a pimp or a male paramour/gigolo.

Rev. Gary Davis, who was an ordained Baptist minister, had very strong religious convictions and generally refused to sing the raunchier blues lyrics for this song later in his life, deeming them sacrilegious.

Either way, it certainly feels like an old show tune, and that is what I tried to capture. You can imagine old time performers and acrobats prancing and dancing to it.

#guitarcover #acousticguitar #music #circus #cabaret #revgarydavis #countryblues #fingerstyle #americana #blues #vaudeville

Видео Candyman. By Rev. Gary Davis. Played By Peter Jackson канала Peter Frederick Jackson (aka Norman Normal)