Delta Blues Quest (Help)

Subject: Delta Blues Quest (Help)
From: Keith
Date: 02 Apr 98 - 10:53 PM

A good friend and I are planning to make a pilgrimmage down U.S. 61 from Memphis. Thing is, it's not easy to find out where to stop along the way. Haven't been able to find much in the way of resources that tell where the sites and landmarks are. You know, the places where it all happened. Sure, it will be easy to find Mr. Morganfield's cabin and Mr. Johnson's marker by the side of the highway and maybe even that motel that used to be a hospital where Ms. Smith died after the car crash. But the more obscure sites, like the location of the jook joint where Robert drank the poison that killed him (the version I find most plausible). If anyone can help, either with directions to sites or the names of available publications that list sites I would be most grateful. I will be taking the notebook, tape recorder and camera (film? B&W of course) along to document the trip and anything I might discover along the way. I will post and essay and photos on the web and leave a message at this site noting the location in return for any help. Email address is:

[e-mail]

Thanks

Subject: RE: Delta Blues Quest (Help)
From:
Date: 02 Apr 98 - 11:57 PM

I just posted this and it seems to have gotten lost, so if this turns out to be a multiple posting, excuse me.

The Book "The Life and Legend of Leadbelly" by Charles Wolfe and Kip Lornell mention places and people in Leadbelly's early life.

They were in touch with a woman who is investigating the murder that he (was supposed to have?) committed.

They also interviewed Brownie McGee in California.

The book is not that old (1992) and some of these people might still be around.

I'm sorry I can't give more details. I took the book out of the library and gave it back, so I can't look them up.

Murray

Subject: RE: Delta Blues Quest (Help)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 03 Apr 98 - 12:07 AM

Check with David "Honeyboy" Edwards in Chicago. He was with Robert that night. Bob Koester at the Jazz Record Mart & Delmark Records might know how to get to Honeyboy. He's playing all kinds of gigs still. Bruce Iglauer at Alligator Records might help too. Mr. Edwards might be in the phone book---or use Lycos.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Delta Blues Quest (Help)
From: Earl
Date: 03 Apr 98 - 08:42 AM

There's a great video (that's been mentioned several times in these threads) called "The Search for Robert Johnson." John Hammond Jr. takes a tour of the Delta and interviews people who knew Robert Johnson. If you haven't seen it already, it's a great place to start. Avalible from Elderly Instruments

Subject: RE: Delta Blues Quest (Help)
From: Rufus
Date: 05 Apr 98 - 03:49 PM

Thanks for the help. I just watched "Search for Robert Johnson" and it had some good information on it. Mr. Hammond interviewed a blues historian named Robert Burton "Mack" McCormick who had some very provocative things to say. I was wondering if anyone out there knows how to contact Mr. McCormick via e or snail mail.

Subject: RE: Delta Blues Quest (Help)
From: Axe
Date: 05 Apr 98 - 07:09 PM

The book "The Land Where the Blues Began" by Alan Lomax is a good source with many interviews, place names, etc. As far as the juke joint where Robert Johnson was poisoned, the things I've read say it was Three Forks, about 15 miles from Greenwood, Mississippi. As mentioned before, David "Honeyboy" Edwards was there as was Sonny Boy Williamson II. Good luck with your Quest.

Subject: RE: Delta Blues Quest (Help)
From: Gene E
Date: 06 Apr 98 - 10:54 PM

Keith

Check out this sight:

www.thebluehighway.com then surf the links.

I hope to make a similar trip soon.

Gene E

Subject: RE: Delta Blues Quest (Help)
From: Rufus
Date: 13 May 98 - 10:14 PM

Thanks to the folks who have posted to this thread. Now in case anyone is wondering what I have discovered since I started my research I will post this. I strolled into Tater Red's Mojo Shop on Beale Street here not too long ago and found a guide with maps on the counter. Packed with information. They are available to anyone for a mere $7.50 from the following address:

Stackhouse/Delta Record Mart 232 Sunflower Ave. Clarksdale, MS 38614

Let me add that I am in no way affiliated with these people. I am just so grateful that someone has gone to the trouble of doing the hard part that I thought I might point some potential business their way.