Clarence Edwards (blues musician)
| Clarence Edwards | |
|---|---|
| Born |
March 25, 1933 Lindsay, Louisiana, United States |
| Died |
May 20, 1993 (aged 60) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States |
| Genres | Swamp blues, Louisiana blues, electric blues |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | Mid 1950s–1993 |
| Labels | Various |
Clarence Edwards (March 25, 1933 – May 20, 1993) was an American blues musician from Louisiana, best known for his recordings of "Lonesome Bedroom Blues" and "I Want Somebody".[1] It was not until the late 1980s that Edwards was able to establish his reputation as a blues performer, assisted by his producer and manager Stephen Coleridge.[2]
Biography
Edwards was born in Lindsay, Louisiana, one of fourteen children, and relocated with his family at the age of twelve to Baton Rouge. He joined the Boogie Beats, a local blues band, alongside one of his brothers, Cornelius, in the mid-1950s, and later played in the Bluebird Kings. Apart from playing on the local blues circuit, Edwards was shot in his leg during a fracas outside a club in Alsen.[3]
Initially, Edwards found full-time employment on a farm, but later worked for thirty years at Thomas Scrap.[3] Dr. Harry Oster recorded Edwards between 1959 and 1961, with Cornelius, and attendant violin player Butch Cage.[2] By 1970, when he next recorded for Mike Vernon, Edwards had moved from an older styling to a more contemporary approach.[4] Largely unknown until the late 1980s, his localised playing quickly spilled over to the national blues festival circuit.[3]
Swampin' (1991), and Louisiana Swamp Blues, Vol. 4 (1993), showcased the variety of Edwards' work and style, which garnered appreciation in the blues circles. However, in May 1993, he died in Louisiana, at the age of 60.[3]
Following his demise, Edwards' earlier work, Swamps the Word, was remastered and reissued on CD.[3] In 2003 the compilation album, I Looked Down That Railroad was released.[4]
Discography
- Swampin' (1991) – New Rose Records
- Louisiana Swamp Blues, Vol. 4 (1993) – Wolf Records
- Swamps the Word (1998) – Blues Factory
- I Looked Down That Railroad (2003) – Last Call[5]
See also
References
- ↑ Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1992 – 1993". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
- 1 2 Herzhaft, Gérard (1997). Encyclopedia of the blues (2nd ed.). Fayetteville: The University of Arkansas Press. p. 144. ISBN 1-55728-452-0.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Steve Huey. "Clarence Edwards | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
- 1 2 "Clarence Edwards Biography". Oldies.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
- ↑ "Clarence Edwards | Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-01-26.