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I'll be shocked if there is anyone reading this who doesn't know the name. I mean, why click on this blog?
If you've listened to the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, the Blues Brothers, and quite a number of other artists, you've heard his songs.
If you've listened to ANY music from the second half of the 20th century up to today that even vaguely has a blues element within it, odds are you've heard his influence.
He recorded just 29 songs. Two takes for each, and three takes from Milkcow's Calf Blues for a total of 59 recordings. Although all 29 songs survive, 17 of the various takes are lost to time and unlikely to exist or surface. Here is a playlist of the existing 42 songs.
There are many, many collections and playlists of his music. MOST of the 'complete' versions are in the order he recorded the songs, meaning that you often hear the same song twice over.
This list is different. It is in the order the songs were released. Only the first song is a back-to-back release.
The first 25 tracks (24 songs) were released between March of 1937 through Feb 1939 on twelve 78 rpm records. The rest were released at different times over the years long after his death.
I'll be fascinated to discuss Robert Johnson with anyone even remotely interested, but I may be inclined to debunk a few myths of they come up. Mostly, I'd LOVE to hear from any fans!
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Giuseppe
Listen to Geeshie Wiley - Last Kind Words. Oh I love that song very moving, powerful but quite haunting.
Love that tune. An old Youtuber I used to chat with back in the day recorded it for the American Epic Sessions.
But of course, nothing's as haunting as Geeshie's original!
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
Giuseppe
He was brilliant way ahead of his time thats for sure. But some of his songs are haunting
Especially tunes like 'Hellhounds on my trail" or "come on in my kitchen"
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
Me and the Devil Blues
by Giuseppe; ; Report
Shadow Bliss
Great stuff.
He'd be, without question, the first music artist out of my mouth if I was forced to name my personal pick for "most important of the 20th century." Leadbelly being my #2.
*phew* that's a bold statement! He'd be on my list for sure though.
Speaking of of Leadbelly (another fav of mine), I had put together a playlist of over 200 WWII songs. Most of them hits in their day, but I HAD to include Leadbelly's "Mr. Hitler".
Literally the ONLY song I could find that even mentions that the Nazis were harming the Jews.
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
Well his influence over Rock and Roll is enough (I mean I am a guitarist and from what I've heard, he was one of the first in contemporary music that used Rock chord progressions) but look at how he influenced Blues, Folk and other such. I honestly don't think its a stretch at all to call him the most important musician of the 20th century.
It also helps that his music holds up really well. To me its "lonely night, sitting on a porch watching the still life go by" kind of music and I love it.
by Shadow Bliss; ; Report
Lightnin' Hopkins hits me that way too. Or Blind Willie Johnson
by Cranky Old Witch; ; Report
Nice.
by Shadow Bliss; ; Report