Robert Johnson: Devilish Detail
Illustrator Christopher Darling Brings the Myth of the Legendary Blues Musician to Life
Today's premiere commemorates the 100th birthday of
late bluesman
Robert Johnson. The film, which features illustrations from Brooklyn
artist Christopher Darling, centers on the urban myth of the
singer-guitarist selling his soul to the devil, a tale fueled by his
itinerant lifestyle, otherworldly talent and renowned prowess as a
ladies' man. In celebration of the May 8 anniversary, Sony has released a
new box set of Johnson's late 1930s recordings, The Complete Original Masters: Centennial Edition, which includes a double-disc CD, a DVD of the 1997 documentary The Life and Music of Robert Johnson: Can't You Hear the Wind Howl?
and 12 vinyl reproductions of his original records. Johnson died
tragically young at the age of 27, allegedly poisoned by a jealous
lover. He was famous for his unusually long fingers, with which he
nimbly performed complex compositions. "Bryan Jones first played these
records for Keith Richards in the early 60s, and Richards said, 'But
who's the other guy playing?' And the answer was, 'It's just one guy!'"
says multi-Grammy-winning producer Steve Berkowitz, who helped to
mastermind the project. Berkowitz compiled his top-ten list of blues
talent from Johnson's era below.
"Blind" Willie JohnsonHis best songs are "If I Had My Way I Would Tear This Building Down," and "God Moves On the Water." It's gospel music, but it's all blues and otherworldly. He was a guitarist and also sang with his wife; it's just the deepest, scariest most wonderful, uplifting, reverential music.
Louise Johnson There are only four songs of hers ever known—all spectacular. No one knows much about her, other than she recorded with Son House and Charlie Patton. There's a story about a car ride from Memphis to Wisconsin: she was Patton's girlfriend, but they were in the same car as Son House, and by the time they arrived she was Son House’s girlfriend. Something was going on in the back seat!
Lonnie Johnson He did one of the first guitar solos ever with Louis Armstrong, and is one of the greatest players that ever lived. I love his version of "September Song," which is right at the end of his life, on an album you can't really find anymore called The Living Room Sessions.
Leroy Carr Carr is a piano player who was a great influence on, among other people, Ray Charles. He unfortunately drank himself to death, after recording hundreds of songs. The last he recorded was "Six Cold Feet in the Ground." And then he died!
Scrapper Blackwell There weren't that many solo guitar players in a group context. Scrapper's one of them. Scrapper Blackwell and Lonnie Johnson are two of the most seminal early guitar players, which extends from blues to jazz to country, to bluegrass to rock and roll and R&B, and forward. Listen to any of the songs he played with Leroy Carr.
Blind Willie McTell A terrific songwriter. I love "It's Your Time To Worry." Bob Dylan wrote a very beautiful song called "Blind Willie McTell."
The Mississippi Sheiks The supergroup of the blues. Their song "Sitting On Top of the World" has been copied by everybody. They're at a crossroads of blues, jazz, folk, ragtime and bluegrass.
Tampa Red One of the earliest on the scene in Chicago. He was a guitar player and a singer, idolized by Muddy Waters and a lot of the then-younger Chicago blues musicians who had moved up from the South. His song "You've Got To Love Her With a Feeling" is wonderful. He also had a band and went electric pretty early.
Big Maceo Merriweather He sings one my favorite songs of all time, which is called the "Poor Kelly Blues." Big Maceo was an original, and the most important piano player in Chicago.
Little Walter The Jimi Hendrix of harmonica, a beautiful singer and writer. At first he was in Muddy Waters's band, and then he left and had his own hits. He had a short, tragic, alcohol-filled life. "Can't Hold Out Much Longer," "You Better Watch Yourself," and "Blues With A Feeling" are some of my faves.
"Blind" Willie JohnsonHis best songs are "If I Had My Way I Would Tear This Building Down," and "God Moves On the Water." It's gospel music, but it's all blues and otherworldly. He was a guitarist and also sang with his wife; it's just the deepest, scariest most wonderful, uplifting, reverential music.
Louise Johnson There are only four songs of hers ever known—all spectacular. No one knows much about her, other than she recorded with Son House and Charlie Patton. There's a story about a car ride from Memphis to Wisconsin: she was Patton's girlfriend, but they were in the same car as Son House, and by the time they arrived she was Son House’s girlfriend. Something was going on in the back seat!
Lonnie Johnson He did one of the first guitar solos ever with Louis Armstrong, and is one of the greatest players that ever lived. I love his version of "September Song," which is right at the end of his life, on an album you can't really find anymore called The Living Room Sessions.
Leroy Carr Carr is a piano player who was a great influence on, among other people, Ray Charles. He unfortunately drank himself to death, after recording hundreds of songs. The last he recorded was "Six Cold Feet in the Ground." And then he died!
Scrapper Blackwell There weren't that many solo guitar players in a group context. Scrapper's one of them. Scrapper Blackwell and Lonnie Johnson are two of the most seminal early guitar players, which extends from blues to jazz to country, to bluegrass to rock and roll and R&B, and forward. Listen to any of the songs he played with Leroy Carr.
Blind Willie McTell A terrific songwriter. I love "It's Your Time To Worry." Bob Dylan wrote a very beautiful song called "Blind Willie McTell."
The Mississippi Sheiks The supergroup of the blues. Their song "Sitting On Top of the World" has been copied by everybody. They're at a crossroads of blues, jazz, folk, ragtime and bluegrass.
Tampa Red One of the earliest on the scene in Chicago. He was a guitar player and a singer, idolized by Muddy Waters and a lot of the then-younger Chicago blues musicians who had moved up from the South. His song "You've Got To Love Her With a Feeling" is wonderful. He also had a band and went electric pretty early.
Big Maceo Merriweather He sings one my favorite songs of all time, which is called the "Poor Kelly Blues." Big Maceo was an original, and the most important piano player in Chicago.
Little Walter The Jimi Hendrix of harmonica, a beautiful singer and writer. At first he was in Muddy Waters's band, and then he left and had his own hits. He had a short, tragic, alcohol-filled life. "Can't Hold Out Much Longer," "You Better Watch Yourself," and "Blues With A Feeling" are some of my faves.
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