Robert Johnson (Official Thread)

[newdawnfades]

I don't think Johnson gets more credit than Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. He certainly adds alot more to the story of the Blues.

Originally Posted by Spike I love Johnson's music. And all of the mysteries of the Johnson Myth make a helluva story. But the Johnson Myth should not obscure the genius of other bluesmen. For example, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters were almost exact contemporaries of Johnson. And IMHO, their musical legacies are every bit as compelling. In fact, they changed the world when took the music of the Delta and electrified it in post-War Chicago. But because they lived long lives without the shroud of mystery, their story doesn't hold the same magic as the man who supposedly sold his soul to the devil. Johnson rightfully deserves a position in the pantheon, but it's a position he shares with several other giants of the blues. Spike

true there are so many great blues guys from bb to buddy to muddy

[Music Wench]

Thought I'd share another tidbit I came across from my jazz/music guru:


The actual musician, that the Crossroad's story was first told about, was Tommy Johnson, who was another great Blues musician, and not Robert Johnson. It was later borrowed, for Johnson.

http://www.cr.nps.gov/delta/blues/p...mmy_johnson.htm

Tommy Johnson even makes it into the the Coen Brother's film O Brother, Where Art Thou?


He is the guitar player, who was waiting at the crossroads, that George Clooney and the two other inmates, pick up along the way.


The story about making a pact with the Devil goes all the way back to Saint Theophilus the Penitent aka Theophilus of Adana from the 6th Century.

Now what really makes this goofy story important, is also the first story that has the intercession of the Virgin Mary. This story would lead to a greater importance for her in the Church and Christianity.

It was also the main basis, for the Faust legend, which get's it's name from the 16th Century, Dr. Johann Georg Faust.

[India_Blue]

Originally Posted by Music Wench Thought I'd share another tidbit I came across from my jazz/music guru: The actual musician, that the Crossroad's story was first told about, was Tommy Johnson, who was another great Blues musician, and not Robert Johnson. It was later borrowed, for Johnson. http://www.cr.nps.gov/delta/blues/p...mmy_johnson.htm Tommy Johnson even makes it into the the Coen Brother's film O Brother, Where Art Thou? He is the guitar player, who was waiting at the crossroads, that George Clooney and the two other inmates, pick up along the way. The story about making a pact with the Devil goes all the way back to Saint Theophilus the Penitent aka Theophilus of Adana from the 6th Century. Now what really makes this goofy story important, is also the first story that has the intercession of the Virgin Mary. This story would lead to a greater importance for her in the Church and Christianity. It was also the main basis, for the Faust legend, which get's it's name from the 16th Century, Dr. Johann Georg Faust.

:gmc: That's really interesting MW. Thanks for sharing that.
Just had to pick the GMC smilie. It kind of stands out! :p

Originally Posted by Music Wench Thought I'd share another tidbit I came across from my jazz/music guru: The actual musician, that the Crossroad's story was first told about, was Tommy Johnson, who was another great Blues musician, and not Robert Johnson. It was later borrowed, for Johnson. http://www.cr.nps.gov/delta/blues/p...mmy_johnson.htm Tommy Johnson even makes it into the the Coen Brother's film O Brother, Where Art Thou? He is the guitar player, who was waiting at the crossroads, that George Clooney and the two other inmates, pick up along the way. The story about making a pact with the Devil goes all the way back to Saint Theophilus the Penitent aka Theophilus of Adana from the 6th Century. Now what really makes this goofy story important, is also the first story that has the intercession of the Virgin Mary. This story would lead to a greater importance for her in the Church and Christianity. It was also the main basis, for the Faust legend, which get's it's name from the 16th Century, Dr. Johann Georg Faust.

cool story thanks for the 411 :=-: :bath:

[Spike]

Originally Posted by Music Wench Thought I'd share another tidbit I came across from my jazz/music guru: The actual musician, that the Crossroad's story was first told about, was Tommy Johnson, who was another great Blues musician, and not Robert Johnson. It was later borrowed, for Johnson. http://www.cr.nps.gov/delta/blues/p...mmy_johnson.htm Tommy Johnson even makes it into the the Coen Brother's film O Brother, Where Art Thou? He is the guitar player, who was waiting at the crossroads, that George Clooney and the two other inmates, pick up along the way.

Thanks, MW. I actually enjoy Tommy's voice more than Robert's. He had a very effective falsetto moan. One of his better known numbers was "Canned Heat Blues" which described his affection for sterno. The band took its name from that song. My favorite by him was "Big Road Blues," which was covered by Bonnie Raitt on her first album. He hung out with Charly Patton and Son House -- the three of them were mentors to Robert Johnson.

Spike

Originally Posted by Spike Thanks, MW. I actually enjoy Tommy's voice more than Robert's. He had a very effective falsetto moan. One of his better known numbers was "Canned Heat Blues" which described his affection for sterno. The band took its name from that song. My favorite by him was "Big Road Blues," which was covered by Bonnie Raitt on her first album. He hung out with Charly Patton and Son House -- the three of them were mentors to Robert Johnson. Spike

Wow, I am going to have to check out Tommy's singing. Spike this maybe a real dumb qestion, but you said "One of his better known numbers was "Canned Heat Blues" which described his affection for sterno" I don't think I have ever heard it, so I was wondering why he loved sterno? Did he like to cook with? Or did he some how huff it and like the high from it? I have no clue, but in a drug class last sem. I heard about folks huffing all kinds of stuff, from spray paint to sterno. I hope he likes sterno to cook with.

[Music Wench]

Glad you're all enjoying the info. Wish I could take credit for it but I'm just transferring info from someone else. All credit goes to my music guru. LOL Here's another addition:


One more point, on the Robert Johnson version in comparision to the Tommy Johnson version of the story. Robert Johnson never claimed to have sold his soul to the devil. It would be yet another of the great Blues Musicians, Son House in the late 50's or early 60's, who would later tell this story. On the other hand, Tommy Johnson did go around telling people, that he sold his soul to the devil.

Now....the Son House story of Robert Johnson dying after drinking a bottle of "poisioned" whiskey, and than barking like a dog on the floor as he died, sounds great. One problem, he died three days after the possible "poisoning". No one is sure, just what caused his death. It could have been the "poisoning", but also could have been been, Pneumonia or Syphilis, or it could have been a combintion of those things.


The first musician that was really believed to have sold his soul to the devil by others, was Niccolo Paganini who lived from 1782-1840. He was also the first Man in Black. He was sickly most of his life, and had dark hair and a pale complexion. However, to play on the rumors about him, he would dress in black, go around in a black coach, which would be drawn by black horses. His eyes would roll back, while he played leaving only the whites of his eyes, all this while he would sway back and forth.

To top it all off, he refused the Final Sacrament at his death, thus making it impossible for him to buried. His remains, were put in a basement for 5 or 6 years. His family, was finally able to petition to have him buried.

He was able to play in way, that is still close to impossible for those today to play. When it comes to playing the violin, the man was a freak of nature.

It has been reported, that he was able to play up to 12 notes per second. It is now believed, he might have had either Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which made it possible for him to play three octaves over four strings with his hand. Even today, you won't find many who can accomplish that. This is on top of all his innovations with the violin.

[Spike]

Originally Posted by halcyon days Wow, I am going to have to check out Tommy's singing. Spike this maybe a real dumb qestion, but you said "One of his better known numbers was "Canned Heat Blues" which described his affection for sterno" I don't think I have ever heard it, so I was wondering why he loved sterno? Did he like to cook with? Or did he some how huff it and like the high from it? I have no clue, but in a drug class last sem. I heard about folks huffing all kinds of stuff, from spray paint to sterno. I hope he likes sterno to cook with.

He drank it.

Canned Heat Blues by Tommy Johnson
Crying,
canned heat, canned heat, mama, crying, sure, Lord, killing me
Crying, canned heat, mama, sure, Lord, killing me
Takes alcorub to take these canned heat blues
Crying, mama, mama, mama, you know, canned heat killing me
Crying, mama, mama, mama, crying, canned heat is killing me
Canned heat don't kill me, crying, babe, I'll never die
I woked up, up this morning, with canned heat on my mind
Woked up this morning, canned heat was on my mind
Woke up this morning, with canned heat, Lord, on my mind
Crying, Lord, Lord, I wonder, canned heat, Lord, killing me
Jake alcohol's [ruined me, churning] 'bout my soul
Because brownskin women don't do the easy roll
I woke up, up this morning, crying, canned heat 'round my bed
Run here, somebody, take these canned heat blues
Run here, somebody, and take these canned heat blues
Crying, mama, mama, mama, crying, canned heat killing me
B'lieve to my soul, Lord, it gonna kill me dead

Spike

[Music Wench]

Here's another tidbit from my music guru:


Tommy Johnson drank Cannned Heat, which is also known as Squeeze or Pink Lady. Besides water, the major ingredient is Sterno.

It gets the name Squeeze, because it is squeezed through a sock or rag, to extract the alcohol.

You might as well drink antifreeze, because they both have a high level of methyl alcohol.

[whitt.the.twit.]

Robert Johnson is one of thE most underated musicians of all time.. especially to stupid punkass kids like.. well .. not like me.. but in my age-range. Im actually doing a school project on robert j this second..

What do you think about claptons rj tribute..

Clapton is one of my favorite electric blues player.. but i think it was a bit chinsey to do a whole album of rj covers..

at least it wasnt a tribute to himself..

brits are kind of strange, but i like em.

[Spike]

Originally Posted by whitt.the.twit. What do you think about claptons rj tribute..

I was disappointed. It seems a bit too laid back. It lacks the necessary intensity required by the material. I probably need to listen to it a few more times to see if I'm missing something.

Spike

[stardust]

I love Robert Johnson, and I loooove blues! And you ghotta respect him, his recordings are a series of blues standarts, that probably every blues artist has done once in his life.

[Mr. Shadow]

[Flower]

According to Wikipedia ~

Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician, among the most famous of Delta blues musicians. His landmark recordings from 1936–1937 display a remarkable combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that have influenced generations of musicians. Johnson's shadowy, poorly documented life and death at age 27 have given rise to much legend.

Johnson's songs, vocal phrasing and guitar style have influenced a broad range of musicians, including Muddy Waters, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Winter, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton; Clapton has called Johnson "the most important blues singer that ever lived".[1][2] Johnson was among the first musicians to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "early influence" category in 1986.[3] He was ranked fifth in Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time