David “Honeyboy” Edwards, born in Shaw, Miss., on June 28, 1915, was the last of thegreat Mississippi Delta bluesmen. His life intertwined with the lives of almost every blues legend, includingRobert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sunnyland Slim, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and many more.
In early 2010, Honeyboy was awarded the Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and later that year returned to Los Angeles to perform at the G Spot, nimbly accompanied by Jeff Dale & the South Woodlawners and his long-time friend and manager, Michael Frank. Even at 95 years old, Honeyboy was still singing and playing like a man of less than half that age.
The show turned out to be the last time Honeyboy was filmed and recorded, and is now available to be seen and heard on I’m Gonna Tell You Somethin’ That I Know — a CD/DVD combo documenting that historic appearance.
Nine songs (both originals and classics) are contained in both formats, and the CD contains a bonus version of “That’s Alright.” The DVD includes “Honeyboy Tells You Something That He Knows” — more than 20 minutes of Edwards giving advice to musicians and telling stories of his life, including vividly recalling the night Robert Johnson died, tales of Charley Patton, Big Walter Horton and others, and much more.
Honeyboy lived strong into his 96th year, and was part of many seminal moments in blues history. I’m Gonna Tell You Somethin’ I Know captures the timeless, evocative power of the blues great, documents his warmth and humor, and shows his palpable connection to Jeff Dale, one of his “sons of the blues.”
Living Blues noted of this set, “Thanks to state-of-the art audio visual equipment, the blues lover can observe an old master’s technique, hear riveting tales and bask in the happiness of watching a historically significant artist get his due while still alive.”
And Edwards had fans among music’s finest. “Honeyboy absorbed a lot of different music from different places that he traveled. He was very important,” said Robert Cray. “Honeyboy covered that bridge,” said Keith Richards. “He started off country in Mississippi. And by the time we got to hear him, he was Chicago!” “He was history. Walking history,” said Lucinda Williams.
CD / DVD Peformances:
1. Ride with Me Tonight
2. That’s Alright
3. Little Boy Blue
4. You‘re the One
5. Goin’ Down Slow
6. Country Boy
7. Catfish Blues
8. Apron Strings
9. Sweet Home Chicago
Bonus CD Performance:
10. That’s Alright (Band Version)
DVD incudes Bonus Performance:
Honeyboy Tells You Somethin’ That He Knows
