If you're a fan of the blues you should consider making a pilgrimage to Hugh's Room on Sunday (December 16) to see David 'Honeyboy' Edwards. To call this man a legend is an understatement. Edwards is one of the last original Delta Blues guitarists still performing. He's 92 years old and he's still rocking stages. Bobby Rush, another blues giant, opens for Edwards.

Honeyboy Edwards was born in 1915 in Shaw, Mississippi. His mom played guitar and dad played fiddle and guitar.
Like his contemporaries back in the day, he played on street corners and in jook joints. Listened to, learned from and worked with the founding fathers of Delta Blues: Robert Johnson, Charley Patton and Big Joe Williams.

When I talk about Delta Blues, I'm referring to a style that developed in the southern part of Mississippi - which is considered the birthplace of the blues. Fiery slide guitar and singing and harmonica are identifiers of this sound.

Bobby Rush was born in 1940. He normally fronts a rough and bawdy R&B; revue, complete with dancers and a band. Rush rarely plays outside the chitlin’ circuit in the US South so it'll be a treat to see him here. Earlier this year, he released his first acoustic album, which is titled Raw.

We signed off with a cover of a song called "Catfish Blues" that was recorded back in 1941. You'll find this song on a CD titled Honeyboy Edwards: Mississippi Delta Bluesman.

Here's a link to see Honeyboy Edwards doing what he does best:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i441yw-ns9I

David "Honeyboy" Edwards and Bobby Rush, Sunday December 16
Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W, south of Bloor W
$28.50 in advance ($32.50 at the door), available at the venue (416) 531-6604 www.hughsroom.com