James Govan Sweet Home Chicago live from The Rum Boogie Cafe

Another great performance by Memphis Blues legend James Govan performed at the world famous Rum Boogie Cafe on Beale Street in Memphis, TN. This was a typical Saturday night crowd listening to James play the blues standard Sweet Home Chicago. James allowed me to film both full sets this night and these videos are now priceless memories of this great man's contributions to the Beale Street Music Scene. "Memphis Music" as he would call it. April 28, 2012 - 11:28pm

[@slowpenguin1]

I miss this guy, he was great - a true Memphis talent.
RIP James

[@drboris01]

I remember the first night I ever had on Beale St, twenty something years ago. I wandered in to the Rum Boogie just as James Govan and the band started playing "bare footing". I fell in slightly drunken love with the place and the band that night and had to come back a few more times over the years, as budgets and pandemics would allow. Broke my heart to hear of James Govan's passing, he was a legend.

[@Shakeyleg]

Thanks for your great comment. James was such a treasure. I easily saw him 100 times over the years and finally toward the end he would let me film him. I would tip him a little extra because I knew he was making an exception for me. At the time it was just for my enjoyment to watch him back home when I couldn’t be in Memphis. Now it is like a time capsule!

[@memphismike57]

The first time I saw him early 90s he was actually playing drums with the band in blues hall right next to rum boogie you walk through a door way when he was done with the set I introduced myself and told him I thought he would do a great version of Jackie Wilson’s higher & higher he did it that next set he nailed it and every time I would go to see him as soon as he saw me walk in he would yell out this next song is for New York that’s what he called me it was so sad when I heard that he passed I miss and loved that man he was truly great 🎤🎤

[@Shakeyleg]

@@memphismike57 I missed this comment the first time! I had a very similar experience with James. Saw him well over 100 times at the Rum Boogie. He didn’t like to be “video taped” and I would beg him to let me. He would often catch me and then grin and look the other way. Finally one day he said you can bring your video camera this weekend and I recorded both sets. It’s like a time capsule! Thanks for your great comment Mike. “James G James G ohh shiit!” As he would say.

[@memphismike57]

I more than doubled it came with crushed tomatoes instead It came out great gonna definitely make it again!!!!