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Yazoo Mississippi Blues

By Jim O’Neal

Yazoo County, Mississippi, never had the bustling blues scene of other Delta counties, but there was always music there. We explore the county and the history of its blues.

Jimmy “Duck” Holmes

Blue Front Blues

By Scott Barretta

Jimmy “Duck” Holmes and his family’s Blue Front Cafe have been the epicenter of the blues in Yazoo County for nearly 70 years. His story is intertwined with the history of one of the most unique musical traditions in the blues.

Yazoo County Blues Today

Jimmy Holmes is not the only active bluesman in the area. We take a look at three other members of today’s local blues scene.

• McKinney “Blues Man” Williams by Scott Barretta
• Arion Babybell by Frank Kossen
• Sam Scott by Holly Robinson

Henry Stuckey

The Forgotten Father of Bentonia Blues

By Gayle Dean Wardlow and Jim O’Neal

Henry Stuckey is credited as the father of the Bentonia style of blues. He mentored Skip James, Jack Owens and Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, and all three spent their lives carrying on his unique musical style.

In Yazoo County

Places to See, Places to Eat and Places to Stay

By Holly Robinson

Cypress Grove Blues

A Photo Essay by Bill Steber

Record Reviews

• New Releases by: TajMo, Jontavious Willis and Selwyn Birchwood
• Reissues by: John Lee Hooker, Curtis Knight with Jimi Hendrix and Major Lance

Editorial
Blues News
Book Reviews
Obituaries
Radio Charts

Cover photo by Bill Steber
Jimmy “Duck” Holmes at the Blue Front Cafe, Bentonia, Mississippi, 2017