This is the second editorial from the desk of Marc Borms, who, along with his brother Luc, are currently undertaking and documenting their amazing 4,500 mile trip through the depths of Mississippi’s Delta in search of the blues and the people that make it up. Their trip will be made into a forthcoming book, Catfish & Cotton.
Getting Lazy?
We did all this hard work in the last two weeks. Isn’t it time to have a little bit of fun?
We drove to Aliceville to the Freedom Creek Festival, saw some ‘old friends’. Freedom Creek festival is one of the loveliest festivals in the world; Nice atmosphere, good music, southern food, and… the first rain in days. We saw a bunch of good musicians performing. Good times. On the way to Jackson we stopped in Bentonia at the “Blue Front Cafe” [Run by delta bluesman Jimmy “Duck” Holmes] and then checked in at the “Poindexter Park Inn” – Jackson. The lovely Marcia Weaver made us feel at home.
We went to juke “Queen of hearts” and accidentally woke up Shellee B. We talked to Dorothy Moore (Misty Blue) and Peggy Brown (manager of Kind Edward Antoine). Peggy showed us the city and its many blues related spots, and had a nice southern diner at “Cock of the walk” in Ridgeland.
If you go to Jackson you should stop to visit the Medgar Evers house and go to the old Capitol Museum. Go to Farish Street to eat at Peaches (we had smothered chicken en pork chops with yams and black eyed peas) and had a chance to meet Wilora “Peaches” Ephram. I can guarantee you, the girl is still alive and kicking.
On Monday evening, Hal & Mal’s is the place to be. We saw, heard and sat in with King Edward and the Central Mississippi Blues Society Band, featuring Abdul Rasheed, Pat Brown, Johnny Sharpe, Dennis Fountain, Malcolm Sheppard and others…
If you are driving from Jackson to New Orleans, take the exit to Byram and go see the swinging bridge.
We also made a stop in Crystal Springs occasionally running into Sunny Ridell.
Visiting New Orleans is great when you have two great local friends George McEwen and bass player David M Hyde (check him out!) to show you around. Lot’s of music, lots of site seeing, lots of stories, great evening, thanks to George and Dave!
Getting Lazy? I don’t think so!
