#621 : CRUZ the Dame, Watermelon Slim, & Sean "Bad" Apple - Live in Clarksdale (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

 

June 23 - 24 , 2023

Clarksdale, Mississippi

By Phillip Smith; June 25, 2023

Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I took a short break this weekend for an excursion to Clarksdale, Mississippi to surround myself with some live blues.  After a mandatory stop at Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Arts, I landed at Sean “Bad” Apple’s place to hear some music from Sean and Miss Australia “Honeybee” Jones.  Their performances were mesmerizing.  I still find it hard to comprehend that Honeybee is eighty years old.   

After a delicious catfish dinner at Hooker Grocery, I landed at Ground Zero Blues Club to take in the soulful sounds of CRUZ the Dame.  This is the act I really wanted to see.  CRUZ has a voice that only comes around once in a blue moon.  Whether she is taking on Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Etta James, or Billy Holiday, she approaches the microphone with a dynamic fearlessness and angelic delivery.  Her original songs are funkdafied with an energy that the Godfather of Funk George Clinton would surely bless.  Graced with three amazing sets of music, I had a wonderful evening indeed.   

The next morning, I headed to Bluesberry Café to catch Watermelon Slim.  CRUZ and her band were just departing to begin their five-hour journey to Biloxi to play the new Ground Zero Blues Club.  After a short stop-and-chat, we wished each other safe travels, and I proceeded inside for breakfast and a wonderful three hour set from the great Watermelon Slim.  The coffee was much needed, the omelet was delicious, and seeing Watermelon Slim perform live, was plumb fascinating. 

 

Photos by Phillip Smith 

Australia "Honeybee" Jones

Sean "Bad" Apple

CRUZ the Dame

Watermelon Slim