ROBERT JOHNSON

The Best Of Robert Johnson: King Of The Delta Blues (Compilation LP)

Robert Johnson (1911–1938) was an influential American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the most legendary figures in the history of blues music. Despite a relatively short career and life, Johnson’s impact on the blues genre has been profound.

Robert Leroy Johnson was born on May 8, 1911, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He grew up in poverty and developed an early interest in music, particularly the blues.

Johnson was influenced by early blues musicians such as Charley Patton and Son House. He spent time learning and honing his guitar skills, often practicing in graveyards to avoid disturbances.

Johnson’s guitar playing was characterized by its virtuosity and intricacy. Legend has it that he acquired his extraordinary skills by making a deal with the devil at a crossroads, a myth that adds to the mystique surrounding his life.

In 1936 and 1937, Johnson recorded a series of sessions for the American Record Corporation (ARC) in Texas. During these sessions, he recorded some of his most famous and enduring songs, including “Cross Road Blues,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” and “Hell Hound on My Trail.”

Johnson’s innovative guitar techniques, expressive vocals, and emotionally charged lyrics had a profound impact on the development of blues music. His influence extended beyond his lifetime, and many later blues and rock musicians, such as Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Robert Plant, have acknowledged him as a major inspiration.

Johnson’s recorded output consists of a relatively small number of tracks, but the depth and quality of his work have cemented his legacy. His songs often dealt with themes of love, betrayal, and the hardships of life.

Robert Johnson’s life was tragically cut short. He died on August 16, 1938, at the age of 27. The circumstances surrounding his death are shrouded in mystery, with theories ranging from poisoning to illness.

While Johnson did not achieve widespread recognition during his lifetime, his recordings gained popularity in the decades following his death. In 1986, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His legacy has been celebrated through various compilations and tributes.

Robert Johnson’s contributions to the blues, his skillful guitar playing, and his hauntingly expressive voice have made him a central figure in the history of American music. The enduring mystique surrounding his life and the legendary “crossroads” myth have only added to the fascination with his remarkable legacy.

TRACK LISTING

SIDE A
1. Cross Road Blues
2. Ramblin’ On My Mind
3. Terraplane Blues
4. 32-20 Blues
5. Walking Blues
6. When You Got A Good Friend
7. If I Had Possesion Over Judgement Day
8. Traveling Riverside Blues

SIDE B
1. Hellhound On My Trail
2. Come On In My Kitchen
3. Me And The Devil Blues
4. Last Fair Deal Gone Down
5. Kindhearted Woman Blues
6. Preaching Blues (Up Jumped The Devil)
7. Milkcow’s Calf Blues
8. Stones In My Passageway

* Depiction of this product is a digital rendering and for illustrative purposes only. Actual product detailing may vary. Please note due to the custom process, each vinyl unit maybe slightly different in coloration.

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