Every once in a while, I'll do a review of a CD by an artist that I feel honored to be doing it for - this is one of those times.  It is with a humbling pleasure that I sit here about to offer my thoughts on one of the last of the original Delta bluesmen - the Grammy Award winning Mr. DAVID "HONEYBOY" EDWARDS.

 

    There's no question this high profile disc is going to be written up, talked about and commented on by the masses within the blues community.  Having said that, I'll leave getting into the production and historical aspects of "ROAMIN' AND RAMBLIN'" to the more qualified crowd.  I'm just going to tell ya 'bout the music and those making it.

 

    Saying HONEYBOY EDWARDS has played with some of the best in the business, as well as with most of the genres legends, would be like saying the color of the sky is blue.  Listing everyone he's played with would be like changing the color of the sky to green.  However those that he's playing with on these nineteen tracks are: BOBBY RUSH, PAUL KAYE, KENNY "BEEDY EYES" SMITH, BILLY BRANCH, RICK SHERRY, SUGAR BLUE, WALTER HORTON, MICHAEL FRANK and JOHNNY "YARD DOG" JONES.

 

    One of my favorite moments on this disc is a less than a minute and a half conversation with HONEYBOY and BOBBY RUSH.  I could listen all night long to some of the stories these old bluesmen tell - especially the way BOBBY tells 'em.  This anecdote has the guys "TALKING ABOUT LITTLE WALTER", and reminiscing about how HONEYBOY was responsible for discovering LITTLE WALTER, and then BOBBY telling how LITTLE WALTER would steal his harmonica licks.  Leave it to BOBBY - he should put out a CD of all these little stories. 

 

    Speaking of BOBBY, he - on guitar - and KENNY on drums do a great job on a short instrumental titled "STROLLIN' DOWN HIGHWAY 61". 

 

    "SMOKEY MOUNTAINS" & "JUMP OUT" are the two tracks featuring LITTLE WALTER.  This first one has WALTER on vocals as well as harp, and on the later, you get a good taste of what all these other harmonica players have been trying to sound like all these years.  Great pickin' by HONEYBOY on this one.

 

    Even at this age, HONEYBOY claims - and proves - he's still a "BOOGIE RAMBLER".  On this track, which was only recorded nine months ago, his stamina shines as well and his vocals and guitar.  "YARD DOG" gets in his share of hot harp licks on this one.

 

    For this listener, some of HONEBOY'S best vocals on the disc can be heard on "LITTLE BOY BLUE".  His emotions are intense as he growls out for Little Boy Blue to please blow his horn.  In response, he gets some equally emotional harp playing out of MICHAEL FRANK.

 

    Apparently, HONEYBOY and I have something in common.  As he sings......I didn't know "I WAS IN NEW ORLEANS LAST NIGHT", weird feelings of deja vu came over me.  I may have also spent nights in NEW ORLEANS not knowing I was there.  Bourbon Street will do that to ya.  What I do know is HONEBOY and SUGAR BLUE are hot on this duet.

 

    "SHUFFLIN' THE BLUES CONVERSATION" is another chat between HONEYBOY and BOBBY.  It features the two legends talking about what the blues is.  Of course for BOBBY, the blues is getting into town late, and all the other guys getting the girls before he gets there.  Ya gotta love it.  

 

    Other tracks on "ROAMIN' AND RAMBLIN'" are: "APRON STRINGS", "CRAWLING KINKSNAKE", "TROUBLE EVERYWHERE I GO", "HOW LONG", "MAXWELL STREET SHUFFLE", "THE ARMY BLUES", "ROAMIN' AND RAMBLIN'", 'LOW DOWN DOG", "FREIGHT TRAIN TALE", "RIDING THE RAILS", and "SHE WORRIES ME ALL THE TIME".

 

    If you're like me and want to know more about the legendary HONEYBOY, visit his website at  www.davidhoneyboyedwards.com.  While you're there, click on to the EARWIG MUSIC COMPANY link and pick up a copy of "ROAMIN' AND RAMBLIN'".  The Blewzzman's thinking you'll be glad you did.

 

    This review has been complimentary written for your newsletter by Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro, a contributing writer for BLUESWAX and the Blues Editor at www.Mary4Music.com where you can read many more CD and live show reviews, view lots of blues photographs and find an abundance of blues material. I can be reached at Blewzzman@aol.com.