Highway 61 (re) Visited

[andy at handiwork]

Just reached Memphis on my and she who must be obeyed 's drive up Highway 61 following the Blues Trial from NOLA through Mississippi to Tennessee. If you have the slightest liking of the music of the Delta I can heartily recommend the effort despite the considerable cost. We spent 3 nights in Clarkesdale the birthplace of Sam Cooke, Ike Turner AND Muddy Waters not to mention Robert Nighthawk and Son House. 2 days of free music in the street in the high 80's listening to fabulous bands and rather wizened old blues guys like Watermelon Slim and Robert 'Wolfman' Belfour. Met Charlie Musslewhite as well. A little way from the town centre is the meeting of the old 61 and 49, the Crossroads of Robert Johnson fame. How much musical history can a small hick town in a landscape as flat as a pancake in all directions have?

Off to Graceland and maybe drive to Tupelo tomorrow, and then Son Studios a little way from the hotel and then Stax the home of soul music which is run by a friend of a friend so expecting great things there. Finally the Lorraine Motel where MLK Jr was shot, now a very moving museum dedicated to the African - American struggle for equality, justice and dignity.

I'll stick a few picks up when I get home if anyone is interested.

[Arginald Valleywater]

Enjoy. Great musical heritage in the "Southlands..."...did you stand at the Crossroads btw?!

[David Johnson]

Sounds fantastic, Andy. A great holiday.

I look forward to seeing the pictures.

[Sam Slater]

As a (very bad) guitarist who's been tinkering with blues this past year, I'm bloody jealous of you, Andy! I've only ever been to the west and east coasts on my trips over there. Would love to take a similar trip one day.

Be sure to post lots of pictures for us all!

[Arginald Valleywater]

Turn it up to 11...

[andy at handiwork]

A lot of valve amps I've seen on this trip go up to 12.
Been to Graceland today. Didn't think I'd like it. It was fabulous and I'm not really an Elvis fan. Not many there at the end of the day so her indoors and I had the place to ourselves much of the time. Even did a bit of out of tune singing of Heartbreak Hotel at the graveside a la Spinal Tap.