one of the earliest known recordings of Catfish Blues by Robert Petway from the 40's
a dear friend of mine lives in Mississippi and we've been sharing blues songs via email over the past few weeks. his wife of many decades passed away a few months ago and this morning he shared the story below with me.
Quote:
drove to the MS Delta Saturday to put down some of Holly’s ashes
on a family place. It’s out along the edge in a cotton field, only 2
pecan trees remain of the burned home place. It was her
grandmother’s bridal home. As a little girl, Holly would be part of
grandma’s Sunday picnics there. James (Son) Thomas played over by
the barn solo all afternoon.
Earl Hooker was heavily influenced by Robert Nighthawk. Here's Nighthawk live from a juke joint on Chicago's famous Maxwell Street in 1964. Notice how modest and restrained the audience was 55 years ago.