Born In The Honey: The Pinetop Perkins Story

Born In The Honey: The Pinetop Perkins Story

(Vizztone)

Hubert Sumlin puts it best when he exclaims, "What a guy he is. What a musician. But he's not just a musician. He's got some God in him." The blues guitarist is referring to 93-year-old peer Pinetop Perkins. Born in the Honey does a fair job of telling Perkins' life story, from his beginnings at the Honey Island Plantation in Belzoni, Miss., to his time in present-day Austin. Cutting between historic footage of these home locales, interviews with the pianist himself as well as followers (Ike Turner, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, Kim Wilson, Marcia Ball, etc.), and contemporary live performances, Honey offers amiable insight into Perkins' extraordinary journey through life. Despite sub-standard audio in spots and storytelling straight out of Documentary 101, the subject still lights up the screen with an affable nature whose indelible influence on the blues began with Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, and others before his solo career took off at 83. The bonus Live in Chicago CD is an admirable addition, a satisfying glimpse into Perkins' ability to move audiences to this day.