Be Here Now: Guy Davis @ Caffe Lena, 4/30/10

Two weeks ago, Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs hosted its fourth annual Acoustic Blues Festival. And with Guy Davis’ performance on Friday night, those acoustic blues just keep rollin’ right along.

Davis is the son of acclaimed actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, and yes, he’s done a bit of acting himself with a recurring role on the daytime soap “One Life to Live” and the 1984 hip-hop movie, “Beat Street.”

He’s combined his acting and blues talents in a number of stage productions, including the off-Broadway show, “Robert Johnson: Trick the Devil,” and Broadway productions of “Mulebone” and “Finian’s Rainbow.”

But Davis has got the blues in his blood, and he recorded his debut album, “Dreams About Life,” on the Smithsonian Folkways label back 1978. For the past 15 years or so, he’s been recording for Red House Records, including his latest album, last year’s “Sweetheart Like You.”

Whether he’s playing 6 or 12-string guitar, harmonica, banjo, accordion, mandolin or whatever, Davis finds the groove – the heart and soul of a song.

Guy Davis makes a stop at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs at 8pm on Friday. Tix are $22 in advance; $24 at the door, and we’ve got a pair to give away to a lucky Nippertown reader! To be entered into the drawing, just leave a comment below…the winner will be announced on Friday morning. Congratulations, Kim!