b. June 28th, 1915 in Shaw (Mississippi)
d. August 29th, 2011 in Chicago (Illinois)
COMPLETE EARLY RECORDINGS
Blue Eye blog (only on mp3)
July 1942 / 1950 - January 1953 / March 1964 - January 1969
Né dans le Mississippi, Honeyboy apprend la musique auprès de son père qui jouait de la guitare et du violon. Musicien itinérant pendant les années 30 et 40, il parcourt le Sud, parfois en compagnie de Charley Patton, Son House, Big Joe Williams, Johnny Shines, Tommy Johnson ou de Robert Johnson. Grâce à John Work qui sert de guide, il est découvert par le folkloriste Alan Lomax qui l'enregistre pour la Bibliothèque du Congrès en juillet 1942 sur la plantation Stovall (où Honeyboy travaille alors). Il met en exergue, lors de ces séances, son éblouissant jeu de guitare, fin et expressif, et son chant profond et magnifique : "Spread my raincoat down", "Worried life blues", "Water coast blues", "Wind howlin' blues", "Roamin' and ramblin' blues". Après ce fabuleux début, Honeyboy continue sa vie de musicien itinérant et n'enregistre à nouveau qu'en 1950 (le remarquable "Build a cave"). De passage à Memphis, vers 1952 ou 1953, il grave une superbe version de "Sweet home Chicago" pour le producteur Sam Phillips (un morceau qui ne verra le jour qu'en 1977 crédité par erreur à Albert "Joiner" Williams). Peu après, Honeyboy trouve même la possibilité d'enregistrer une poignée de morceaux - dont le formidable "Drop down mama" - pour Chess. Malheureusement, le titre restera inédit jusqu'en 1970 pour ne pas concurrencer Muddy Waters. Une dizaine d'années plus tard, il sera substantiellement enregistré à Chicago par Pete Welding. Une fois encore, les séances ne seront publiées qu'au milieu des années 90. Enfin, en janvier 1969, il participe à une jam aux côtés de Buddy Guy, Walter Horton et Peter Green. Grâce à Gérard Herzhaft, ces morceaux sont regroupés en 2 CD indispensables.
Born in Mississippi, Honeyboy learned music from his father who played guitar and fiddle. A traveling musician during the 1930's and 40's, he toured the South, sometimes accompanied by Charley Patton, Son House, Big Joe Williams, Johnny Shines, Tommy Johnson or Robert Johnson. Thanks to John Work, who acted as a guide, he was discovered by folklorist Alan Lomax, who recorded him for the Library of Congress in july 1942 at the Stovall Plantation (where Honeyboy was working at the time). During these sessions, he highlighted his dazzling guitar playing, refined and expressive, and his deep and beautiful singing : "Spread my raincoat down", "Worried life blues", "Water coast blues", "Wind howlin' blues", "Roamin' and ramblin' blues". After this fabulous start, Honeyboy continued his life as a traveling musician and did not record again until 1950 (the remarkable "Build a cave"). While in Memphis, around 1952 or 1953, he recorded a superb version of "Sweet home Chicago" for producer Sam Phillips (a track that wouldn't be released until 1977 mistakenly credited to Albert "Joiner" Williams). Shortly after, Honeyboy even managed to record a handful of tracks — including the fantastic "Drop down mama" — for Chess Records. Unfortunately, the song remained unreleased until 1970 to avoid competing with Muddy Waters. About ten years later, he was substantially recorded in Chicago by Pete Welding. Once again, these sessions wouldn't be released until the mid-1990's. Finally, in january 1969, he participated in a jam session alongside Buddy Guy, Walter Horton and Peter Green. Thanks to Gérard Herzhaft, these tracks are compiled into two essential CDs.
CRAWLING KINGSNAKE
Testament
March 1964 / July 1967
Ce CD, édité seulement en 1997, propose les enregistrements qu'Honeyboy a fait grâce à Pete Welding, lors de deux séances en mars 1964 (accompagné de l'harmoniciste John Lee Henley) et en juillet 1967. A Chicago, en plein Blues Revival, Honeyboy se montre particulièrement inspiré au chant et à la guitare et délivre de superbes morceaux de Delta Blues comme "Just like Jesse James", "Sweet home Chicago", "Long tall woman blues", "Crawling kingsnake", "My baby's gone", "Angel child". A la fin du programme figure une longue interview dans laquelle Honeyboy raconte ses souvenirs avec Robert Johnson et Tommy Johnson.
This CD, released only in 1997, features recordings Honeyboy made with Pete Welding during two sessions in march 1964 (accompanied by harmonica player John Lee Henley) and july 1967. In Chicago, at the height of the Blues Revival, Honeyboy is particularly inspired on vocals and guitar delivering superb Delta Blues tracks such as "Just like Jesse James", "Sweet home Chicago", "Long tall woman blues", "Crawling kingsnake", "My baby's gone", "Angel child". The program concludes with a lengthy interview in which Honeyboy recounts his memories with Robert Johnson and Tommy Johnson.
REALLY CHICAGO'S BLUES
Adelphi
September 1969
DON'T MISTREAT A FOOL
Genes
WORRIED BLUES
Fat Possum
September 1969
Dans cette séance supervisée par Gene Rosenthal, "Honeyboy" Edwards est associé à ses amis Johnny Shines et Big Joe Williams sur une poignée de titres. On apprécie, en particulier, les excellents "Myrtle Mae", "Bull cow blues", "Must I break 'em on down", "Little boy blue", "B&O blues", "Don't mistreat a fool", "Howlin' wind". La réédition CD Fat Possum ne reprend que 10 des 13 titres du programme.
In this session supervised by Gene Rosenthal, "Honeyboy" Edwards is joined by his friends Johnny Shines and Big Joe Williams on a handful of tracks. We particularly appreciate the excellent "Myrtle Mae", "Bull cow blues", "Must I break 'em on down", "Little boy blue", "B&O blues", "Don't mistreat a fool", "Howlin' wind". The Fat Possum CD reissue only includes 10 of the 13 tracks from the program.
I'VE BEEN AROUND
Trix
32 Blues
Savoy Jazz
May 1974 / June 1975 / May 1977
Ces séances furent mises sur pied par Jim O'Neal et Pete Lowry entre 1974 et 1977. Honeyboy s'y montre, encore une fois, dans une forme étincelante aussi bien au chant qu'à la guitare. Il est parfois accompagné de Walter Horton (harmonica) et d'Eddie El (seconde guitare). Une superbe tranche de Delta Blues acoustique jouée avec ferveur et inspiration : "Pony blues", "Sad and lonesome", "I'm a country man", "Take me in your arms", "I feel so good today", "Eyes full of tears", "The woman I'm loving".
These sessions were organized by Jim O'Neal and Pete Lowry between 1974 and 1977. Honeyboy, once again, shines in top form, both vocally and on guitar. He is sometimes accompanied by Walter Horton (harmonica) and Eddie El (second guitar). A superb slice of acoustic Delta Blues played with fervor and inspiration : "Pony blues", "Sad and lonesome", "I'm a country man", "Take me in your arms", "I feel so good today", "Eyes full of tears", "The woman I'm loving".
BLUES BLUES BLUES
Roots
Document
December 1975
Cette séance autrichienne fut organisée dans les derniers jours de l'année 1975, à l'issue d'une tournée européenne, par Evelyn Sperker (la femme de Johnny Parth) et Hannes Folterbauer. Seul à la guitare, Honeyboy délivre un beau moment de Delta Blues acoustique en reprenant son répertoire habituel. On peut signaler une excellente version de "Catfish blues". En 2005, Document a réédité la séance en CD.
This austrian session was organized in the final days of 1975, at the end of a european tour, by Evelyn Sperker (Johnny Parth's wife) and Hannes Folterbauer. Alone with his guitar, Honeyboy delivers a nice moment of acoustic Delta Blues, revisiting his usual repertoire. An excellent version of "Catfish blues" is particularly noteworthy. In 2005, Document reissued the session on CD.
MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUESMAN
Folkways
Smithsonian-Folkways
March 1979
On retrouve ici les enregistrements qu'a fait Honeyboy Edwards avec l'ethnomusicologue Verna Gillis. Ces enregistrements furent édités par Folkways (et réédités par Smithsonian-Folkways). Inspiré et en bonne forme, il donne de superbes versions de "Big fat mama", "Catfish blues", "Blues worry me all the time", "Ride with me tonight", "Things gonna be alright", "Further on up the road", "Bumble bee". On trouve aussi dans le programme deux courtes interviews du bluesman.
This collection features recordings made by Honeyboy Edwards with ethnomusicologist Verna Gillis. These recordings were released by Folkways (and reissued by Smithsonian-Folkways). Inspired and in fine form, he delivers superb versions of "Big fat mama", "Catfish blues", "Blues worry me all the time", "Ride with me tonight", "Things gonna be alright", "Further on up the road", "Bumble bee". The program also includes two short interviews with the bluesman.
OLD FRIENDS
Earwig
June 1979 / March 1980
Excellente réunion de bluesmen organisée par Michael Robert Frank pour son label Earwig. Honeyboy Edwards chante en leader sur quatre morceaux, en particulier les excellents "Apron strings", "The war is over" et "When I came in" (où il joue de l'harmonica).
Excellent bluesmen meeting organized by Michael Robert Frank for his Earwig label. Honeyboy Edwards sings lead on four tracks, notably the excellent "Apron strings", "The war is over" and "When I came in" (where he plays harmonica).
FROM HELENA TO CHICAGO
Wolf
FROM WEST HELENA TO CHICAGO
Wolf
August 1987
On trouve dans ces séances cinq morceaux joués par Honeyboy Edwards associé au guitariste Johnny B. Moore. On apprécie notamment sa version de "Drop down mama". Un des titres est gravé avec un orchestre électrique ("Build myself a cave").
These sessions include five tracks played by Honeyboy Edwards with guitarist Johnny B. Moore. His version of "Drop down mama" is particularly noteworthy. One of the tracks is recorded with an electric orchestra ("Build myself a cave").
WHITE WINDOWS
Blue Suit
Evidence
September 1988
November 1987 / September 1988 (Blue Suit CD reissue)
Voici une très belle séance acoustique mise sur pied par les producteurs Gregory Oates, John Rockwood et Robert Seeman en septembre 1988. Honeyboy s'y montre, encore une fois, très en verve (particulièrement à la slide guitare) notamment sur les superbes versions de "Don't say I don't love you", "Build myself a cave", "61 highway", "Shake 'em on down", "The war is over", "Roll & tumble blues". La version CD proposée par Blue Suit enrichit le programme de quatre morceaux inédits (certains enregistrés live en novembre 1987 par Jim Kenzie) tandis que la version CD d'Evidence n'ajoute qu'un seul morceau par rapport à la version LP initiale.
Here is a very fine acoustic session put together by producers Gregory Oates, John Rockwood and Robert Seeman in september 1988. Honeyboy is, once again, in top form (particularly on slide guitar), notably on the superb versions of "Don't say I don't love you", "Build myself a cave", "61 highway", "Shake 'em on down", "The war is over", "Roll & tumble blues". The CD version released by Blue Suit adds four previously unreleased tracks (some recorded live in november 1987 by Jim Kenzie) while the Evidence CD version adds only one track compared to the original LP.
ROOTS OF RHYTHM AND BLUES : A TRIBUTE TO THE ROBERT JOHNSON ERA
Columbia
July 1991
DELTA BLUESMAN
Earwig
Indigo
June 1979 / October - December 1991
Ce CD composite rassemble d'abord deux séances capturées en 1991, une en mode acoustique dans laquelle Honeyboy joue seul de la guitare, l'autre en mode orchestral avec un petit groupe efficace derrière lui (Carey Bell, Sunnyland Slim, Aron Burton, Robert Plunkett). On trouve aussi dans le programme la réédition de ses indispensables titres de 1942 et un titre inédit de juin 1979, le tout entrecoupé de témoignages et souvenirs racontés par lui-même. Cette coproduction entre Earwig et Indigo supervisée par Michael Frank et Mike Vernon offre au final un panorama convaincant de la musique d'Honeyboy Edwards.
This composite CD first brings together two sessions recorded in 1991 : one acoustic session in which Honeyboy plays solo guitar, the other is an orchestral session with a small but effective backing band behind him (Carey Bell, Sunnyland Slim, Aron Burton, Robert Plunkett). The program also includes reissues of his essential 1942 tracks and a previously unreleased track from june 1979, all interspersed with interviews and testimonies recounted by Honeyboy himself. This co-production between Earwig and Indigo, supervised by Michael Frank and Mike Vernon, ultimately offers a compelling overview of Honeyboy Edwards' music.
THE BEST OF MOUNTAIN STAGE vol.4
Blue Plate
Early 1990's
Une sympathique version live du "Sweet home Chicago" de Robert Johnson capturée au début des années 90.
A nice live version of Robert Johnson's "Sweet home Chicago" captured in the early 90's.
THE WORLD DON'T OWE ME NOTHING
Earwig
February 1996 / August 1997
Il s'agit d'un recueil de bandes live dans lesquelles Honeyboy joue seul ou accompagné (par Rick Sherry et Carey Bell). Un programme sympathique de Delta Blues traditionnel entrecoupé de souvenirs.
This is a collection of live recordings in which Honeyboy plays solo or accompanied (by Rick Sherry and Carey Bell). A pleasant program of traditional Delta Blues interspersed with anecdotes.
HELLHOUND ON MY TRAIL
Telarc
February 1999
SHAKE 'EM ON DOWN
APO
February 1999
Cette séance fut mise sur pied par Chad Kassem et Jimmy Lane pour le label APO. Même si la voix d'Honeyboy s'est un peu affaiblie, il demeure parfaitement en forme et a conservé toutes ses qualités à la guitare. Il est, en plus, supporté ici par la seconde guitare de Jimmy Lane et l'harmonica de Madison Slim (alias Mark Koenig). On apprécie notamment "High water everywhere", "Shake 'em on down", "Louise Louise blues", "West Memphis blues", "Bullfrog blues". Une longue interview en fin de programme.
This session was organized by Chad Kassem and Jimmy Lane for the APO label. Even though Honeyboy's voice has weakened somewhat, he remains in excellent form and has retained all his guitar skills. He is further supported here by Jimmy Lane's second guitar and Madison Slim's (aka Mark Koenig) harmonica. Highlights include "High water everywhere", "Shake 'em on down", "Louise Louise blues", "West Memphis blues", "Bullfrog blues". A lengthy interview concludes the program.
BLUES POWER : SONGS OF ERIC CLAPTON
House of Blues
1999
Une belle reprise de "Crossroads" avec l'harmonica de James Cotton.
A nice cover of "Crossroads" featuring James Cotton on harmonica.
SWEET EMOTION : SONGS OF AEROSMITH
Heavy Hip Mama
2000
LAST OF THE GREAT MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUESMEN : LIVE IN DALLAS
Blue Shoe Project
October 2004
Dans cette réunion des derniers grands bluesmen (tous sont âgés de plus de 80 ans) sur une scène de Dallas, Honeyboy Edwards - malgré sa voix affaiblie - chante seul à la guitare sur quatre morceaux.
In this meeting of the last great bluesmen (all over the age of 80) on a stage in Dallas, Honeyboy Edwards - despite his weakened voice - sings alone on guitar on four tracks.
ROAMIN' AND RAMBLIN'
Earwig
June 1975 / 1976 / December 2004 / June - September 2007
Sur le modèle du CD "Delta bluesman", déjà édité par Earwig, le producteur Michael Frank a déterré et réuni des bandes inédites tout à fait intéressantes. Le CD est articulé autour de trois séances de 2007 où Honeyboy est accompagné de Bobby Rush, Billy Branch et Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones. On trouve aussi des titres inédits issus des séances Trix de juin 1975 (avec Walter Horton) et des bandes live de 1976 (avec Sugar Blue cette fois). Enfin, on trouve aussi un morceau gravé en décembre 2004 et la reprise d'un titre de 1942. Curieusement, le programme reste homogène et captivant dressant un beau témoignage de l'oeuvre d'Honeyboy Edwards.
Following the model of the "Delta Bluesman" CD, already released by Earwig, producer Michael Frank has unearthed and compiled some truly fascinating unreleased tapes. The CD is structured around three 2007 sessions where Honeyboy is accompanied by Bobby Rush, Billy Branch and Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones. It also includes unreleased tracks from the june 1975 Trix sessions (with Walter Horton) and live recordings from 1976 (this time with Sugar Blue). Finally, there's also a track recorded in december 2004 and a 1942 song. Surprisingly, the program remains cohesive and captivating, offering a fine testament to the work of Honeyboy Edwards.
I'M GONNA TELL YOU SOMETHIN' THAT I KNOW
Omnivore
September 2010
Voici un concert d'Honeyboy Edwards capturé quelques mois avant son décès. Il a 95 ans et semble en bonne forme à la guitare même si sa voix s'est affaiblie avec les années. Il est ici accompagné par des musiciens compétents et discrets (dont son manager et producteur Michael Frank).
Here is a Honeyboy Edwards concert recorded a few months before his death. He was 95 years old and seemed to be in good shape on guitar even though his voice had weakened with years. He is accompanied here by skilled and discreet musicians (including his manager and producer Michael Frank).