The Bottom Line
Much of blues guitarist Robert Johnson's life and career is shrouded in mystery, his premature death and dearth of recorded material (only 29 sides recorded during the 1930s) passing like a shooting star in the night. Like several other Mississippi Delta bluesmen of the era, Johnson was said to have received his talents as a songwriter and guitarist in a deal with the devil. Unlike lesser-known artists like Tommy Johnson (no relation), however, Robert Johnson's enormous legacy survived his too-short lifetime to become one of the most important, influencing careers in the history of the blues.
Pros
- Biographical introduction places Johnson's songs in context
Cons
- No complaints here – this is Robert Johnson's complete milieu between two covers
Description
- 29-song collection covers Johnson's entire (too-short) career
- 200 pages, 9" x 12" trade paperback songbook
- Arguably the most important artist in the history of the blues
Guide Review - Robert Johnson - The New Transcriptions (1999)
Because of his unique status as a keystone artist of the blues, guitarist Robert Johnson is often considered to be the definition of the Mississippi Delta bluesman. His songs, particularly tunes like "Cross Road Blues," "Kind Hearted Woman," and "Sweet Home Chicago," have become blues standards that are required reading for any young aspiring blues artist.
For any blues musician, Robert Johnson – The New Transcriptions is a "must have" songbook that includes guitar tablature and staff transcriptions of every song known to have been recorded by the enigmatic Johnson. A lot of these tunes will be familiar to the blues fan and/or musician, from the aforementioned standards to lesser-known but no less vital material like "Phonograph Blues," "Ramblin' On My Mind," "Terraplane Blues," and "Love In Vain Blues," songs that have been recorded and performed by everybody from bluesmen like Elmore James and Keb' Mo' to blues-rockers like Eric Clapton or the Rolling Stones.
Robert Johnson – The New Transcriptions was compiled from the artist's original 78rpm recordings instead, as had been previously done, from later vinyl albums and CDs. The result is the most detailed representation of Johnson's music presented to date, with original tunings and capo placements that provide the student with the entire Robert Johnson experience, complete with each song's unique texture and performance. (Hal Leonard Corp, published April 1, 1999)
Guide Disclosure: A review copy of this CD, DVD, or book was provided by the record label, publisher, or publicist. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
