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Clarence Edwards (blues musician)

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Clarence Edwards
Born(1933-03-25)March 25, 1933
Lindsay, Louisiana, United States
DiedMay 20, 1993(1993-05-20) (aged 60)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
GenresSwamp blues, Louisiana blues, electric blues
Occupation(s)Guitarist, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years activeMid 1950s–1993
LabelsVarious

Clarence Edwards (March 25, 1933 – May 20, 1993) was an American blues musician from Louisiana, best known for his recordings of "Lonesome Bedroom Blues" and "I Want Somebody".[1] It was not until the late 1980s that Edwards was able to establish his reputation as a blues performer, assisted by his producer and manager Stephen Coleridge.[2]

Biography

Edwards was born in Lindsay, Louisiana, one of fourteen children, and relocated with his family at the age of twelve to Baton Rouge. He joined the Boogie Beats, a local blues band, alongside one of his brothers, Cornelius, in the mid-1950s, and later played in the Bluebird Kings. Apart from playing on the local blues circuit, Edwards was shot in his leg during a fracas outside a club in Alsen.[3]

Initially, Edwards found full-time employment on a farm, but later worked for thirty years at Thomas Scrap.[3] Dr. Harry Oster recorded Edwards between 1959 and 1961, with Cornelius, and attendant violin player Butch Cage.[2] By 1970, when he next recorded for Mike Vernon, Edwards had moved from an older styling to a more contemporary approach.[4] Largely unknown until the late 1980s, his localised playing quickly spilled over to the national blues festival circuit.[3]

Swampin' (1991), and Louisiana Swamp Blues, Vol. 4 (1993), showcased the variety of Edwards' work and style, which garnered appreciation in the blues circles. However in May 1993, he died in Louisiana, at the age of 60.[3]

Following his demise, Edwards' earlier work, Swamps the Word, was remastered and reissued on CD.[3] In 2003 the compilation album, I Looked Down That Railroad was released.[4]

Discography

  • Swampin' (1991) – New Rose Records
  • Louisiana Swamp Blues, Vol. 4 (1993) – Wolf Records
  • Swamps the Word (1998) – Blues Factory
  • I Looked Down That Railroad (2003) – Last Call[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1992 – 1993". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Herzhaft, Gérard (1997). Encyclopedia of the blues (2nd ed.). Fayetteville: The University of Arkansas Press. p. 144. ISBN 1-55728-452-0.
  3. ^ a b c d e Steve Huey. "Clarence Edwards | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Clarence Edwards Biography". Oldies.com. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  5. ^ "Clarence Edwards | Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
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