Eddie Mapp

Eddie Mapp
Born c. 1910
Social Circle, Georgia, United States
Died November 14, 1931
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres Country blues
Occupation(s) Harmonicist, songwriter
Instruments Harmonica, vocals
Years active 1922–1931
Labels Various

Eddie Mapp (c. 1910 – November 14, 1931)[1] was an American country blues harmonicist. He is best known for his accompaniment on record of both Barbecue Bob and Curley Weaver.

Biography

Mapp was born in Social Circle, Walton County, Georgia. He relocated in 1922 to Newton County, where he met the guitar player, Curley Weaver. Although he did not sing, Mapp was noted in Newton County as a harmonica virtuoso with a unique style, who often performed for tips on the street. In 1925 Weaver and Mapp left for Atlanta.[2] The twosome played at country dances, then Weaver together with Barbecue Bob and his brother Charlie Hicks formed a group with Mapp, and continued to play locally.[3][4]

In 1929, and billed as the Georgia Cotton Pickers, they recorded for the Atlanta-based QRS label. Mapp also cut one solo track, "Riding the Blinds", the same year. None of the songs sold well.[2][5]

In November 1931, Mapp was discovered stabbed on an Atlanta street corner. His death certificate recorded that the brachial artery in his left arm had been severed, and gave his age as twenty. No one was charged with his murder. The certificate also noted his employment as 'musician', unusual at the time for a coroner to acknowledge Mapp's status.[1][2]

Discography

A compilation album, released in 1994, on Document Records (DOCD-5110), provided the most complete discography of Mapp's work. It was entitled Georgia Blues 1928-33.[6] The track listing included the following pieces which featured Mapp's music. Curley Weaver with Eddie Mapp - "No No Blues"; "It's The Best Stuff Yet"; Eddie Mapp and Guy Lumpkin - "Decatur Street Drag"; "Riding The Blinds"; Slim Barton, Eddie Mapp and James Moore - "I'm Hot Like That"; "Careless Love"; "Wicked Travelin' Blues"; "It's Tight Like That"; "Poor Convict Blues"; Eddie Mapp, James Moore and Guy Lumpkin - "Where You Been So Long" (1929);[7] Slim Barton and Eddie Mapp - "Fourth Avenue Blues" (1929)[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chadbourne, Eugene. "Eddie Mapp". Allmusic. Retrieved January 16, 2010. - Allmusic duly notes that there is some doubt regarding Mapp's year of birth.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Eddie Mapp". The-blindman.com. 1931-11-14. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  3. ↑ Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 182. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
  4. ↑ "Barbeque Bob HICKS". Thebluestrail.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  5. ↑ "Georgia Cotton Pickers: Information from". Answers.com. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  6. ↑ "Who was the first blues harp player to record?". Patmissin.com. 1924-01-31. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  7. ↑ "Georgia Blues (1928-1933) CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2000-09-08. Retrieved 2014-01-26.
  8. ↑ "Honey, Where You Been So Long?". Prewarblues.org. 1999-02-22. Retrieved 2014-01-26.