Homesick James

Homesick James (April 30, 1910 – December 13, 2006) was an American blues musician known for his mastery of the slide guitar. He worked with his cousin, Elmore James, and with Sonny Boy Williamson II.

Early years Homesick James was born in Somerville, Tennessee, United States, the son of Cordellia Henderson and Plez Williamson Rivers, who were both musicians. The year of his birth is uncertain. He stated that he was born in 1905, while his union records give 1924.

Little is known about his early life. He developed a self-taught style of slide guitar through playing at local dances in his teens. He claimed to have played with Yank Rachell, Sleepy John Estes, Blind Boy Fuller, Sonny Boy Williamson II and Big Joe Williams, among others. He also claimed to be the older cousin of Elmore James, working with Horace Henderson's band at the Circle Inn and with the pianist Jimmy Walker at the Square Deal Club. He may have first recorded for RCA Victor in 1937, but this is also unconfirmed, and by 1938 may have begun playing electric guitar. His first known recordings were in 1952 for Chance Records, recording the tracks "Lonesome Ole Train" He was a member of Elmore James's band from 1955 to 1963, contributing to such tracks as "Dust My Broom," "The Sky Is Crying," and "Roll and Tumble."

Solo performer As a solo performer, he recorded for the Colt and USA labels in 1962, including a cover version of Robert Johnson's "Crossroads".

Later years and death During the 1970s, Homesick was reintroduced to European audiences through his participation in the 1973 and 1975 editions of the American Blues Legends tours and albums organized by Big Bear Records, also recording a solo album Home Sweet Homesick James and a duo album with Snooky Pryor for the UK-based label. Homesick James at the National Downhome Blues Festival, Atlanta, Georgia, 1984. One of his own songs, "Gotta Move" (also on Blues on the South Side) was covered (as "Got to Move") by Elmore James and by Fleetwood Mac. He is mentioned by name in the 1989 song "Fergus Sings the Blues" by the Scottish rock band Deacon Blue, with the lyric "Homesick James, my biggest influence".

From 1972 through 2006, Homesick lived in Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Fresno and finally Springfield, Missouri, where he died at the age of 96.

Partial discography 1963: Hard Drivin' Blues (Delmark) with Roosevelt Sykes 1964: Blues on the South Side (Prestige/Original Blues) 1972: The Country Blues (Blues On Blues) 1973: Ain't Sick No More (Bluesway) 1973: Homesick James Williamson & Snooky Pryor (Caroline under licence from Big Bear) 1976: Home Sweet Homesick James (Big Bear) 1977: Goin' Back Home (32 Jazz) 1979: Chicago Blues Festival Vol. 1 (Black and Blue) 1980: Homesick James & Snooky Pryor: Sad and Lonesome (Wolf) 1992: Sweet Home Tennessee (as Homesick James & The Hypnotics) (Appaloosa) 1994: Goin' Back in the Times (Earwig) 1995: Got to Move (Trix Records) 1994: Juanita (Appaloosa) 1997: Words of Wisdom (Priority) 1998: Last of the Broomdusters (Fedora) 2003: Homesick James & Snooky Prior: The Big Bear Sessions (Sanctuary Records)