Eddy Clearwater: Difference between revisions
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Born Edward Harrington (a cousin of the late blues harmonica master Carey Bell) in [[Macon, Mississippi|Macon]], [[Mississippi]],<ref name=biodata/> on January 10, 1935, Clearwater is best known for being part of the [[Chicago blues]] scene since the 1950s. He performs both within the [[United States|U.S.]] (especially around the [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] area) and internationally, such as at blues [[festivals]] in [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Denmark]], [Poland]] and the [[Netherlands]]. The <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> describes his sound as “hard-driving Windy City blues, soul-tinged balladry, acoustic country blues and gospel uplift….good natured fretboard fireworks.” <ref name=PE>Cristiano, Nick |
Born Edward Harrington (a cousin of the late blues harmonica master Carey Bell) in [[Macon, Mississippi|Macon]], [[Mississippi]],<ref name=biodata/> on January 10, 1935, Clearwater is best known for being part of the [[Chicago blues]] scene since the 1950s. He performs both within the [[United States|U.S.]] (especially around the [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] area) and internationally, such as at blues [[festivals]] in [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Denmark]], [Poland]] and the [[Netherlands]]. The <i>Philadelphia Inquirer</i> describes his sound as “hard-driving Windy City blues, soul-tinged balladry, acoustic country blues and gospel uplift….good natured fretboard fireworks.” <ref name=PE>Cristiano, Nick. [http://www.philly.com Philadelphia Inquirer], April 13, 2008</ref> |
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His family moved to [[Birmingham]], [[Alabama]] in 1948. He taught himself to play guitar at an early age (left-handed and upside down) and began performing with various gospel groups, including the legendary [[Five Blind Boys Of Alabama]]. He moved to Chicago in 1950, where he worked as a dishwasher while living with an uncle. Through his uncle he met many of Chicago’s blues masters, including fellow left-handed guitarist [[Otis Rush]] and [[Magic Sam]]. Once he heard the music of [[Chuck Berry]], he began performing some of Berry’s material as well as writing in a Berry-influenced style. He still regularly performs songs by Rush, Magic Sam and Berry as well as his own original material. <ref name="russell"/> In 1953, now known as '''Guitar Eddy''', he began working regularly in Chicago’s south and west side bars. His first single, the Chuck Berry-styled “Hill Billy Blues”, was recorded in 1958 for his uncle’s Atomic H label, under the moniker '''Clear Waters''', a name given to him by his manager Jump Jackson as a play on the more famous [[Muddy Waters]]. |
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He recorded a few more singles and began receiving local radio airplay. Eventually the name Clear Waters morphed into '''Eddy Clearwater'''. He worked steadily throughout the [[1960|60s]] and [[1970|70s]], and was among the first blues musicians to find success with Chicago’s north side college crowd. He toured Europe twice during the 1970s and appeared on [[BBC]] Television. |
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| ⚫ | Rooster Blues' 1980 release of ''The Chief'' announced that Clearwater's ascendancy to Chicago blues stardom was officially underway. Two encores for Rooster Blues, ''Help Yourself'' (1992) and ''Mean Case of the Blues'' (1996), cemented Clearwater's reputation. He became known as a masterful blues showman whose principal goal is to provide his fans with a real good time. ''Cool Blues Walk'' followed in 1998, followed by ''Chicago Daily Blues'' the next year, with ''Reservation Blues'' released in mid 2000. |
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<i>Vintage Guitar</i> described his 2008 [[Alligator Records]]’ debut album, <I><B>West Side Strut</i></b> as “an introduction to great blues. Eddy’s fat, voluptuous tone shows a masterful command of the guitar. It’s hard to believe he can reach such heights in a recording studio. One listen and you’ll wonder why Clearwater’s name isn’t respectfully spoken in the same breath as Freddie King and Otis Rush.” <ref name=VG>[http://www.vintageguitar.com Vintage Guitar], July 2008</ref> |
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He left Mississippi at the age of 13, settled in Chicago a few years later and took up guitar, listening with special attention to [[Otis Rush]] and [[Chuck Berry]].<ref name="russell"/> |
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| ⚫ | Rooster Blues' 1980 release of ''The Chief'' announced that Clearwater's ascendancy to Chicago blues stardom was officially underway. Two encores for Rooster Blues, ''Help Yourself'' (1992) and ''Mean Case of the Blues'' (1996), cemented Clearwater's reputation. He became known as a masterful blues showman whose principal goal is to provide his fans with a real good time. ''Cool Blues Walk'' followed in 1998, followed by ''Chicago Daily Blues'' the next year, with ''Reservation Blues'' released in mid 2000. |
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On 8 January 1997 Clearwater underwent successful triple [[heart bypass]] surgery.<ref name="blurb">[http://members.aol.com/MNBlues/eddy_clearwater.html Blues on Stage website details - accessed February 2008]</ref> |
On 8 January 1997 Clearwater underwent successful triple [[heart bypass]] surgery.<ref name="blurb">[http://members.aol.com/MNBlues/eddy_clearwater.html Blues on Stage website details - accessed February 2008]</ref> |
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In 2004, he was nominated for a [[Grammy Award]] with [[Los Straitjackets]] for their collaboration, ''Rock 'N' Roll City''. |
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His much anticipated 2008 album ''West Side Strut'' has been described as "the very best album of his life".<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012IWI5E Amazon.com: West Side Strut: Eddy Clearwater: Music<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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==Name and relations== |
==Name and relations== |
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*He is a cousin of the blues harmonica player [[Carey Bell]].<ref name="russell"/> |
*He is a cousin of the blues harmonica player [[Carey Bell]].<ref name="russell"/> |
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*In the 1950s he played under the pseudonym Guitar Eddy.<ref |
*In the 1950s he played under the pseudonym Guitar Eddy.<ref name=biodata/> |
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*In 1958 he first recorded under the name Clear Waters, a direct reference to [[Muddy Waters]], before shortening the name to a '[[surname]]' Clearwater.<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/delta/2541/bleclear.htm Blues Lyrics on line website - accessed February 2008]</ref> |
*In 1958 he first recorded under the name Clear Waters, a direct reference to [[Muddy Waters]], before shortening the name to a '[[surname]]' Clearwater.<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/delta/2541/bleclear.htm Blues Lyrics on line website - accessed February 2008]</ref> |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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* 2008 ''West Side Strut'' |
* 2008 ''West Side Strut'' (on [[Alligator Records]]) |
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* 2003 ''Rock ‘N’ Roll City'' (featuring [[Los Straitjackets]]) |
* 2003 ''Rock ‘N’ Roll City'' (featuring [[Los Straitjackets]]) |
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* 2000 ''Reservation Blues'' |
* 2000 ''Reservation Blues'' |
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*[http://www.eddyclearwater.com Official website] |
*[http://www.eddyclearwater.com Official website] |
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*[http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/delta/2541/bleclear.htm Eddy Clearwater song lyrics @ Geocities.com] |
*[http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/delta/2541/bleclear.htm Eddy Clearwater song lyrics @ Geocities.com] |
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*[http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012IWI5E Amazon.com: West Side Strut: Eddy Clearwater] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Clearwater, Eddy}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clearwater, Eddy}} |
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Revision as of 20:54, 21 October 2009
Eddy Clearwater |
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Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater is the stage name of Edward Harrington (born 10 January 1935[1]), an American Chicago blues musician. Blues Revue said Eddy plays “joyous rave-ups…he testifies with stunning soul fervor and powerful guitar. One of the blues’ finest songwriters.” [2]
Career
Born Edward Harrington (a cousin of the late blues harmonica master Carey Bell) in Macon, Mississippi,[1] on January 10, 1935, Clearwater is best known for being part of the Chicago blues scene since the 1950s. He performs both within the U.S. (especially around the Chicago, Illinois area) and internationally, such as at blues festivals in France, Germany, Denmark, [Poland]] and the Netherlands. The Philadelphia Inquirer describes his sound as “hard-driving Windy City blues, soul-tinged balladry, acoustic country blues and gospel uplift….good natured fretboard fireworks.” [3]
His family moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1948. He taught himself to play guitar at an early age (left-handed and upside down) and began performing with various gospel groups, including the legendary Five Blind Boys Of Alabama. He moved to Chicago in 1950, where he worked as a dishwasher while living with an uncle. Through his uncle he met many of Chicago’s blues masters, including fellow left-handed guitarist Otis Rush and Magic Sam. Once he heard the music of Chuck Berry, he began performing some of Berry’s material as well as writing in a Berry-influenced style. He still regularly performs songs by Rush, Magic Sam and Berry as well as his own original material. [4] In 1953, now known as Guitar Eddy, he began working regularly in Chicago’s south and west side bars. His first single, the Chuck Berry-styled “Hill Billy Blues”, was recorded in 1958 for his uncle’s Atomic H label, under the moniker Clear Waters, a name given to him by his manager Jump Jackson as a play on the more famous Muddy Waters.
He recorded a few more singles and began receiving local radio airplay. Eventually the name Clear Waters morphed into Eddy Clearwater. He worked steadily throughout the 60s and 70s, and was among the first blues musicians to find success with Chicago’s north side college crowd. He toured Europe twice during the 1970s and appeared on BBC Television.
Rooster Blues' 1980 release of The Chief announced that Clearwater's ascendancy to Chicago blues stardom was officially underway. Two encores for Rooster Blues, Help Yourself (1992) and Mean Case of the Blues (1996), cemented Clearwater's reputation. He became known as a masterful blues showman whose principal goal is to provide his fans with a real good time. Cool Blues Walk followed in 1998, followed by Chicago Daily Blues the next year, with Reservation Blues released in mid 2000. [5] In 2004, he was nominated for a Grammy Award with Los Straitjackets for their collaboration, Rock 'N' Roll City.
Vintage Guitar described his 2008 Alligator Records’ debut album, West Side Strut as “an introduction to great blues. Eddy’s fat, voluptuous tone shows a masterful command of the guitar. It’s hard to believe he can reach such heights in a recording studio. One listen and you’ll wonder why Clearwater’s name isn’t respectfully spoken in the same breath as Freddie King and Otis Rush.” [6]
Clearwater is married to his manager, Renee Greenman. Together they once owned Reservation Blues, a Wicker Park (Chicago) blues bar and restaurant. It is no longer in operation.
On 8 January 1997 Clearwater underwent successful triple heart bypass surgery.[7]
Name and relations
- Clearwater has been nicknamed The Chief and sometimes wears Native American headdress.[4]
- He is a cousin of the blues harmonica player Carey Bell.[4]
- In the 1950s he played under the pseudonym Guitar Eddy.[1]
- In 1958 he first recorded under the name Clear Waters, a direct reference to Muddy Waters, before shortening the name to a 'surname' Clearwater.[8]
Discography
- 2008 West Side Strut (on Alligator Records)
- 2003 Rock ‘N’ Roll City (featuring Los Straitjackets)
- 2000 Reservation Blues
- 1999 Chicago Daily Blues
- 1998 Cool Blues Walk
- 1998 Chicago Blues Session, Vol. 23 (live)
- 1996 Mean Case Of The Blues
- 1995 Boogie My Blues Away
- 1992 Live At The Kingston Mines, 1978 (live)
- 1992 Help Yourself
- 1990 Real Good Time: Live! (live)
- 1989 Blues Hang Out
- 1986 Flimdoozie
- 1981 Two Times Nine
- 1980 The Chief'
- 1979 Black Night
See also
- List of Chicago blues musicians
- List of Electric blues musicians
- Chicago Blues Festival
- San Francisco Blues Festival
References
- ^ a b c Eddy Clearwater's profile on his official website
- ^ Blues Revue, July 2004
- ^ Cristiano, Nick. Philadelphia Inquirer, April 13, 2008
- ^ a b c Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. pp. p. 102. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - ^ Allmusic biography - accessed February 2008
- ^ Vintage Guitar, July 2008
- ^ Blues on Stage website details - accessed February 2008
- ^ Blues Lyrics on line website - accessed February 2008