Homesick James
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. |
James A. Williamson, known as Homesick James, (b. 30 April 1910 - d. 13 December 2006) was a black American blues musician. He died Dec. 13, 2006 in Springfield, Missouri. He is buried in Covington, Tennessee.
Homesick James (born John William Henderson) is a native of Somerville, Tennessee. He was acquainted with Robert Johnson and was always very close to his cousin Elmore James until James's death in 1963. Williamson's slide guitar style, not as refined as James's, also traces back to Johnson's style. Williamson stopped recording in 2004, though he performed up until his death. Two of his best-known covers are:
- "Stones In My Passway" on Blues On the South Side, Prestige OBCCD 529-2, 1990 (recorded in 1964);
- "Crossroads" on My Home Ain't Here, Fedora FCD-5023, 2004 (recorded in 2004).
One of his own songs, "Gotta Move" (also on Blues On the South Side) was covered (as "Got To Move") both by Elmore James and by Fleetwood Mac.
He was referred to by name in the Deacon Blue song "Fergus Sings the Blues", in the lyric "Homesick James, my biggest influence".
