Archive for the ‘Robert Johnson’ Category

Honeyboy

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Listen: Bloodstains On The Wall / Honeyboy
Bloodstains On The Wall / Homeboy

Blues singles are generally, well pretty similar. This coming from someone who has never claimed to study their intricacies, but more often, picked up on the ones that really caught my ear and enjoyed them in a different way. Essentially, getting lost in what life was truly like for the voice behind the recording became fascinating.

How did this guy live, and where, did he own a home, was it warm, what was the kitchen like, was it clean and have indoor plumbing, a record player, copies of his own records, did he have a family, did he love them, did they love him, how much could he really make touring, did he work odd jobs when off the traveling circuit, where, how much did his band make on tour, how the hell did they live when they got home, what type of vehicle did they all travel in, what were the hotels like, where did they do laundry, how often, where did they eat, what kind of food, did they stop at the Thruway restaurant near where I grew up, were they a mile or so away filling the tank with gas while I sat in my stroller or kindergarden class, did they drink, how the fuck did they feel the next day on long drives in uncomfortable smoke filled cars, did they get to shower often, see a dentist, ever meet Bessie Smith, was it all worth it?

Even more exotic is the answer to each and every one of those questions when it’s a female being listened to.

You see, suddenly the record can be filled with mystery and suspense. Try it sometime. Believe me, the blues will never sound the same again.

David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards is one of the last living beings that can answer every question above and more. He claims to have been present the night Robert Johnson drank that bad luck glass of poisonous liquor. Who can challenge that claim? Who would want to?

My guess is this guy has more stories than Marianne Faithfull. Imagine that.

In June, he’ll celebrate his 96th birthday. And guess what he’s doing to get ready for that. Touring:

Friday, January 28, 2011 – Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
Saturday, January 29, 2011 – Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall – Costa Mesa, CA
Sunday, January 30, 2011 – Anthology – San Diego, CA
Monday, January 31, 2011 – Campbell Hall at UCSB – Santa Barbara, CA
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 – TBA – Los Angeles, CA
Thursday, February 10, 2011 – Hill Auditorium – Ann Arbor, MI
Friday, February 11, 2011 – Orchestra Hall at CSO – Chicago, IL
Sunday, February 13, 2011 – MSU Riley Center – Meridian, MS
Thursday, February 17, 2011 – Music Center at Strathmore – North Bethesda, MD
Friday, February 18, 2011 – Berklee Performance Center – Boston, MA

No New York date? Road trip ahead.