Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down in Clarksdale Town

Sunday Morning Comin’ Down in Clarksdale Town

Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down in Clarksdale Town [VIDEOS]

On a Sunday morning sidewalk
I’m wishing, Lord, that I was stoned
‘Cause there’s something in a Sunday
That makes a body feel alone
And there’s nothing short a’ dying
That’s half as lonesome as the sound
Of the sleeping city sidewalk
And Sunday morning coming down — Kris Kristofferson writer, Johnny Cash singer

Long having been a Sunday morning rambler, my habitude is to cruise the lonely downtown streets of Clarksdale Town after putting out breakfast at the Clark House Inn. I listen to Sunday morning gospel music on Clarksdale’s new blues/roots station XRDS.fm and 88.1 on the local fm dial as I slow roll the downtown streets. I don’t always follow the same path, but the path is familiar…

First passing Bluesberry Café, I usually see Watermelon Slim’s car outside on Yazoo Ave. Slim is chief bottle washer and much-lauded musician at Bluesberry. Breakfast and blues will be served shortly.

Next, easing down Third St. heading west, I peer left down Delta Ave. toward Ground Zero Blues Club and right toward the center’s epicenter, checking to see how many cars might have been left downtown after a splendid night of blues and eats in the birthplace of America’s music.

After passing my podna Deak Harp’s Mississippi Saxophones and Blues Emporium, I follow my gut at the Sunflower Ave. stop sign, whether to turn left and cruise by Red’s Lounge, where my friend Red Paden slings the finest blues and b.s. in the business starting at 7:00 pm that night, or to turn right onto the Sunflower Strip and amble by Levon’s hours before the afternoon music ramble at 3:30. Decisions! Decisions!

Sometimes, I even take an iPhone clip of the drive with XRDS.fm playing in the background. Sundays in Clarksdale Town are so fine. Our streets might be empty early Sunday morning, but remember, “Clarksdale ain’ dead; we just resting!” Cheers! chilly billy

Enjoy two recent Sunday morning video clips during a Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down in Clarksdale Town…