Traveling Man
Watermelon Slim
Northern Blues 2020
Review by David Bowling
William P Homan’s III is a college graduate, Vietnam veteran, former farmer who grew watermelons (hence his nick name), and now a well-known and award winning bluesman. Traveling Man is his 12th album release since 2003.
The blues at its best is a personal and emotional journey. While studio albums can be brilliant, it is live albums that demonstrate the heart and soul of a blues artist.
Traveling Man is a two-disc release recorded in 2016 at the Blue Door in Oklahoma City and The Depot in Norman, Oklahoma. They are a combination of original and classic blues tunes centered around Watermelon Slim’s guitar, harmonica, and vocals. It all adds up to a definitive release in his long career.
He is a modern day connector to the blues of the Southern Delta. He can be both raw and smooth as a song calls for, but he is always authentic and engaged.
Traveling Man is one of the better blues albums of the year so far. It is well-worth a listen and is a release to be appreciated.
Rating: ****