Teen-aged David “Honeyboy” Edwards met Charley Patton. Soon he left home with Big Joe Williams to hobo and ramble. He played with Robert Johnson and was with him the night he was poisoned. Big Walter, Sonny Boy and Little Walter all played harp with Honeyboy. He became pals with giants Son House and Roosevelt Sykes. Who knows? He might have played with everybody.
My live introduction to Honeyboy: 9:00 p.m. August 11, 2005.
Honeyboy, an acoustic set, front porch style, Robert Johnson-like stuff, in Clarksdale’s Ground Zero, 90-years-old giving it the old way, for real. First joined by Bobby Rush on harp in two straight back chairs rocking with shoes patting the floor in time together. Then joined by Pinetop Perkins, 92-years-old on piano, killing a packed house. Guitar man, Big Jack Johnson takes over the drums from Sam Carr, as the old guy tires. Bobby Rush harping hard, joined by Big George Brock at Bobby’s feet laying on his back giving the music his all. Honeyboy on the side as the whole bunch are jamming hard.
All this jive, a once in a lifetime “Big Blues Bright Moment.” Need I say more?
If you haven’t experienced the blues of “Honeyboy Edwards,” now you have a chance at the eccentric Ponderosa Stomp September 24th and 25th in New Orleans.
Click here to see all of our blogs on Mississippi State of Blues.
Ken Murphy and Scott Barretta will be signing at Lemuria on Thursday, November 11th.
Reserve your copy online or call the bookstore 601/800.366.7619.
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