Rev. Dan Smith | Babylon is Falling

This is a song called "Babylon is Falling (Down)" by Rev. Dan Smith from his album "Live at Fox Hollow".

I uploaded this video because I couldn't find anything else from this great artist. It is my opinion that Rev. Dan Smith needs more attention, so I made this quick video to make him a bit better known. I know it's not a great movie to watch, but just listen to the music and you'll understand my point.

The album "Live at Fox Hollow" is published by Time & Strike Music and is still available on CD. If you like this (kind of) music, please buy the CD. You will not regret it!

About this CD: Culled from festivals during the 1970s, these live tapes capture music that is considered folk gospel, but its really primal blues, the eternal struggle between good and evil, God and the devil. The key difference is that, unlike most bluesmen, the Rev. Dan Smith sees light at the end of that long, lonely tunnel where, as he closes, Every Day Will Be Sunday.

Rev. Dan Smith (born: January 23, 1911, Alabama) was a gospel blues singer for 80-plus years. He influenced modern Christian blues artists such as Darrell Mansfield, as well as many other artists. Dan Smith sang in church and played harmonica as a child. He didn't begin his professional career until the early '60s, when he played behind folk legends Rev. Gary Davis and Pete Seeger. However, his musical style is overwhelmingly oriented to Chicago blues.

© 2009 Merula Productions

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Rev.
• Dan
• Smith
• Bluesharp
• Harp
• Harmonica
• Gospel
• Gospel-Blues
• Babylon
• is
• Falling
• Live
• at
• Fox
• Hollow
• SwampBluesTed
• Swamp
• Blues
• Ted
• tsjidde
• Merula Productions

[dharris130]

I was at Fox Hollow when Rev Smith was there. It was a life-changing experience. I spent four days following him around...listening to his music and stories. The culmination was a service on Sunday morning at the small performers tent. We all joined in to sing Every Day Will Be Sunday (on the other side). Words can't explain the power of that moment. Thank you for posting this and bringing back a very cherished memory!

[SwampBluesTed]

Thanks a lot for sharing these memories! I must admit that I'm a bit envious, but I think I wasn't even born at that time. So... today I just enjoy his recordings and I'll meet him on the other side. :-)

[jabrwoky1]

Rev Dan stayed at my house for a weekend around this time. He was performing at my high school (Niskayuna Folk Festival, Schenectady, NY) around 1974. I may have even been at Fox Hollow when this was recorded...Wonderful, warm soul, sadly passed away in 1994. I have two LP's I'm digitizing. I wonder who has the rights? I'd love to share, it's fabulous stuff.

[SwampBluesTed]

Which LP's do you mean? "God Is Not Dead" (1972) and "Now Is the Time" (1975)? Most of their tracks are featured on the after CD's. But still some songs are not reissued, so please share!

[SwampBluesTed]

I would contact Time & Strike Music about the rights if I were you. Michael Hakanson-Stacy (the owner of T&S) was apparently a close friend of Rev. Dan Smith, who also recorded with him. Maybe rights from records expire after a certain time, I really don't know.

Rev. Dan stayed at your house? Wow, you must have awesome memories about that time!

[roughharp]

Amazing artist! Love this song! Is there a CD out there?

[SwampBluesTed]

There is also one collection album on CD called "Good Morning Blues" (label Biograph, 1990) with Leadbelly, Reverend Gary Davis and (four songs of) Rev. Dan Smith.

[jabrwoky1]

Yeah, those are the two albums I have. Great stuff. And yes, those Fox Hollow years were the best. As a high school kid working at the festival and seeing all the great musicians, camping out, contra dancing under the stars, great memories...

I'll see if I can track down the status on the rights.

[MROSEN62]

Pete Seeger brought Rev Dan to some of the local Clearwater festivals in the New York Hudson Valley in the early 1980s and I was fortunate enough to see him perform at a few of these. I must admit that this agnostic was seriously moved by his amazing performance.

[MrThunderharp]

Harp Virtuoso, Adam Gussow, (curator of Modern Blues Harmonica) has Dan Smith in the top 10 as the greatest blues style harmonica player ever. Also check out Darrell Mansfield's CD... A Tribute To The Reverend Dan Smith. Great CD

[Shamp0ooo]

I've never heard of him until now, but he seems to be widely underestimated.

[driedhidehills]

Am I the only one that hears Bron-Y-Aur Stomp?

All it needs is a kick drum.

[driedhidehills]

YEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

[buska100]

Brilliant harp playing,great voice,great vibe!

Dig it.

[Jackietheblessed1]

this is my great uncle and I enjoy him so much

[Little6ster]

That's my kind of thing too! Thank You for posting