Edward Riley, ake Eddie Boyd was an American blues pianist and for all those already familiar with his background you will probably won’t need to read what I’m about to share.
I’d heard of Eddie Boyd and have some of his music on blues collections but didn’t know too much about who he was and where his career took him…until today.
Growing up in Mississippi Boyd moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1935 where he played piano and guitar with his group, the Dixie Rhythm boys. In 1941 the great migration took him north to the factories of Chicago where he continued to write, recording several singles throughout the early 50’s, he also co-wrote ‘The Third Degree’ with Willie Dixon in 1953.
In 1965 Boyd toured with Buddy Guy, with later collaborations and touring partners including the likes of Fleetwood Mac and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Despite his success, the sad reality of racism in the US drove Boyd out of his country where he initially relocated to Belgium and began recording with Dutch band ‘Cuby and the Blizzards. After that he settled in Helsinki, Finland and continued to write music and record ten more blues records.
Boyd remained in Finland until his death in 1994, just a few months before Eric Clapton released the chart-topping album ‘From the Cradle’ which included Boyd’s “Five Long Years” and “Third Degree.” ..if only he had lived a little bit longer to see hear this!
So, now that I’ve given you the Listening Post ‘wiki experience,’ it’s time to introduce today’s song, today’s great song ‘Please Help Me.’ Released as the B-side to the single, ‘The Story of Bill,’ Eddie Boyd recorded this song in September 1954 and released it in November that year. Listen above…
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