PhillyCheeze's Rock & Blues Reviews: Sean Bad Apple

Sunday, June 25, 2023

#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

Monday, August 15, 2022

#569 > Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival - 2022 (PhillyCheezeBlues.Blogspot.com)

Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival - 2022

Clarksdale, Mississippi

August 11-14, 2022

By Phillip Smith; August 15, 2022

Original Source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com

I had a terrific time on my third trip down to Clarksdale, Mississippi for the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. The festivities began Thursday evening at the Grits, Greens & BBQ VIP party where we were treated to a delicious meal. Live entertainment was provided by Stan Street and Jaxx Nassar, Sean “Bad” Apple, and Terry “Big T” Williams. It was an absolutely fabulous time.

After catching a few live acts (Steve Kolbus, Jaxx Nassar, Lala Craig, and Lucious Spiller) at the Ground Zero Blues Club on Friday afternoon, court was held at the main stage next to the Delta Blues Museum. The artist lineup was outstanding. It featured The Delta Blues Museum Band, Heavy Suga & the SweetTones, Lucious Spiller, Anthony “Big A” Sherrod, and James “Super Chikan” Johnson.

Saturday, I started off at Ground Zero for more blues from Steve Kolbus, Mark Miller, Walter Busby, and Lee Williams. Afterwards, I headed off to Cat Head to catch their 20^th year festivities with a lovely live front-porch performance from Australia “Honeybee” Jones and 19^th Street Red. Knowing Jaxx Nassar was playing again at Ground Zero, we headed back to catch one more set from her, and staying for Big Train and the Loco Motives from Norman Oklahoma was a must. Immediately following their captivating performance, it was time to settle back down again at the main stage for Brad Money Maker, Mark “Mule Man” Massey, and riveting set from Jimbo Mathus.