Gimme Shelter In Place: Surprise Me Mr. Davis Performs ‘Sissyfus’

Gimme Shelter In Place is JamBase’s new archival video series launched for fans who right now can’t go see live music. Canceled concerts and music festivals due to social distancing and sheltering in place in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to tours around the globe. We know nothing can truly replace seeing live music in person, but we hope the Gimme Shelter In Place live videos provide a taste of those memorable experiences.

On June 1, 2019, 20 years of JamBase was celebrated at The Chapel in San Francisco headlined by the Camp Harry All-Stars and featuring performances from Ron Artis II and Big Light. The Camp Harry All-Stars were revealed to be Surprise Me Mr. Davis, a group consisting of troubadour Nathan Moore and the members of The Slip. Today’s Gimme Shelter In Place video contains Surprise Me Mr. Davis’ “Sissyfus” from their headlining set at The Chapel at JB20.

Moore’s collaboration with The Slip (guitarist Brad Barr, bassist Marc Friedman and drummer Andrew Barr) at The Chapel was their first performnace not held at High Sierra Music Festival or aboard Jam Cruise since 2011. The special Surprise Me Mr. Davis set at JB20 started with an a capella “Tombstone” and included such gems as “As Long As There’s One Of Us Standing,” “When A Woman” and “Everything Must Go.” A highlight of the performance was a “Sissyfus” that spanned over 10 minutes.

Surprise Me Mr. Davis recorded a demo of “Sissyfus” in 2008 that was released as part of the 2010 EP That Man Eats Morning For Breakfast. At JB20, “Sissyfus” began with just Friedman and The Barrs on stage. Then, Moore emerged shaking a tambourine and sang the lyrics before leaving Marc, Brad and Andrew to jam. For the next six minutes, the trio showed off the improvisational prowess that along with their songwriting won The Slip many fans. Nathan returned for the final verses and choruses to bring “Sissyfus” to its glorious conclusion.

Watch Surprise Me Mr. Davis performing “Sissyfus” at The Chapel and all of the Gimme Shelter In Place videos in the playlist below: