Robert Johnson: King of the Delta Blues Singers CD Track Listing

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Robert Johnson King of the Delta Blues Singers (1998)
1998 Columbia/Legacy\nOriginally Released 1966\nRemastered Edition Released September 15, 1998\nGold CD Version Released June 28, 1994\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Reading about the power inherent in Robert Johnson's music is one thing, but actually experiencing it is another matter entirely. The official 1998 edition of the original 1961 album was certainly worth the wait, remastered off the best-quality original 78s available, of far superior quality to any of the source materials used on even the 1991 box set. Johnson's guitar takes on a fullness never heard on previous reissues, and except for a nagging hiss in spots on "Terraplane Blues" (the equalization on this disc is extreme to even sport some minute turntable rumble in the low end), this really brings his music alive. If there is such a thing as a greatest-hits package available on Johnson, this landmark album, which jump-started the whole '60s blues revival, would certainly be the one. The majority of Johnson's best-known tunes, the ones that made the legend, are all aboard: "Crossroads," "Walkin' Blues," "Me & The Devil Blues," "Come On In My Kitchen," and the apocalyptic visions contained in "Hellhound On My Trail" are the blues at its finest, the lyrics sheer poetry. And making its first appearance anywhere is a newly discovered-in-1998 alternate take of "Traveling Riverside Blues" that's appended to the original 16-track lineup. If you are starting your blues collection from the ground up, be sure to make this your very first purchase. -- Cub Koda\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Once The Complete Recordings became a huge success, Sony opened the floodgates for Robert Johnson reissues. Over the next decade, the label reissued those very recordings in a variety of forms, including gold discs of the original King of the Delta Blues Singers album, a reconfigured version of the box set, a compilation of highlights entited King of the Delta Blues and, finally, a 1998 reissue of King of the Delta Blues Singers. It was the first time the original album had been released as a regular CD but it was distinguished by another factor -- the disc boasted a previously unreleased version of "Travellin' Riverside Blues" as a bonus track. It's hard to see how that particular cut was overlooked by the compilers of the original box set, but it's a good alternate take that may be worth the time of hardcore collectors, even though they're bound to be frustrated by purchasing all of this material yet again. The album itself remains a classic collection of timeless music -- novices should either choose this or King of the Delta Blues Singers as an introduction. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nIf there is a recording that is required listening for every blues fan, it's this one. Robert Johnson wasn't just King of the Delta blues; he was one of its founding fathers, and these re-mastered tunes are as timeless and important today as they were all those years ago. The songs that passed into the blues canon, to be covered by countless guitarists over the years, are here: "Crossroad Blues," "Preaching Blues," "Come On In My Kitchen," "Walking Blues," and more. And on this particular version of this often-reissued recording, there's an additional treat: a previously unreleased version of "Traveling Riverside Blues." Absolutely essential. --Genevieve Williams \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\n4 Stars only because it's incomplete & doesn't need to be, January 26, 2002 \nReviewer: JD Schaefer from San Rafael, Ca USA \nCLASSIC!! Did I say CLASSIC!!\n\nFor whatever reason, all of Johnson's vital, important and seminal music is not on this disk. There's room but it didn't happen. There are only 17 songs here.\n\nSo many blues, rock and beyond musicians owe so much to Robert Johnson. The legends of his life are lots of fun (I've visited the three locations near Greenwood, Mississippi where he may be buried), but it's the pure sound of the melodies, guitar playing and lyrics that leave an everlasting impression.\n\nThese are acoustic blues at their best. So many lyrics and riffs found their way into the music of other blues and rock musicians, that it would take too long to list them all.\n\nExcpt for the influence of Muddy Waters, no one else has had a greater and longer lasting influence on American popular music.\n\nThis is highly recommended although to get the full impact of Robert Johnson, one should get "The Complete Recordings" so you can hear "Sweet home Chicago" made famous by the Blues Brothers amongst others, "The Sky is Falling" made more famous by the great Elmore James and Stevie Ray Vaughn, as well as more of the ground breaking music by this man cut down prematurely by his own tragic ways. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nEssential supplement to The Complete Recordings, April 2, 2001 \nReviewer: Alexander G. Lynn from Chicago, IL USA \nThe music and legend of Robert Johnson loom over twentieth century music so vastly that perhaps the only valid analogy would be to the sky. Johnson's legacy is profound to the point of forming the entire field upon which generations of guitarists and singers of rock and roll and blues music have shaped their aspirations, as if the clouds present in Johnson's horizon can be interpreted into any number of shapes that may be re-combined to form countless new dreams and nightmares. Six-and-a-half decades after these recordings were made (and four decades after the original version of this album was released into an unsuspecting world), Johnson continues to resonate in our culture as a figure beyond life, much like Hank Williams, Charlie Parker, Arthur Lee, Brian Wilson, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, or Kurt Cobain. \n\nThat Johnson's influence is too often due to his legend rather than his music is unfortunate. Along with Charlie Patton, Skip James, Lemon Jefferson, Will!ie Brown, Son House, Geeshie Wiley, and Willie McTell, Johnson cut some of the most chilling, joyous, direct and dazzling guitar blues of the pre-World War II era. His arrangements for solo guitar provide the matrix that virtually all post-war band-based blues and blues rock builds upon. This excelllent CD presents many of his most famous and influential tunes, in the finest sound quality possible. Sonically, the recordings as presented on this disc are a little warmer and fuller than on The Complete Recordings two-CD set. The alternate take of Travelling Riverside Blues (unavailable on "The Complete Recordings," as this take had not been discovered when that set was originally issued in 1990) is a welcome addition to the Johnson canon. For the casual fan, this may be an excellent starting point, although the excelllent liner notes on The Complete Recordings may provide context and lyrical transcriptions that would assist those uninitiated into Johnson's endlessly rewarding mu!sic, one of the true milestones of twentieth century culture. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nHow NOT To Reissue A Classic!, February 2, 2002 \nReviewer: Peter Acebal from Christiansburg, VA United States \nFirst,let me say this record is a Classic and belongs in anyone's record collection!\nThen,-what is the problem with Sony? The remastering here is just as awfully done as the travesty on the recent Louis Armstrong Hot 5's & 7's box set!\nGranted,the sound IS warmer than in the "Complete Recordings" BUT (and this Not to quibble!) the digital technology resources available to a giant like Sony would surely have been put to better use,...instead a Classic is reduced to a budget operation.\nGet this CD all the same,...just keep an open mind on the issue of sound quality!.... \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nHey! Zeppelin didn't write that!, September 4, 2001 \nReviewer: David Kenner from Fort Worth, TX USA \nI'm relatively new to the world of Robert Johnson but bought this CD because "The Complete Recordings" had too many alternate takes and I didn't want to wade through them. Also, the painting that graces the cover of this LP is priceless. While listening to the CD I kept hearing lines that were lifted from these songs by 70s rock icons and incorporated into different songs. Led Zeppelin and Steve Miller both borrowed heavily from Johnson. Of course, there were times when Zep covered a blues standard that was in the public domain and took writing credit for it. Anyway, this CD is just as great as everyone says it is. Johnson's guitar work is extremely tasty throughout and his vocal style was incredibly strong. Great tunes, good sound and new liner notes make this a "must have" for every blues and classic rock fan. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nGet The Complete Recordings instead, August 30, 2001 \nReviewer: A music fan from USA \nThe music on this CD is great, no doubt. These songs are all classics. But you would be doing much better to purchase The Complete Recordings instead. There are simply too many songs missing from this CD to make it a great purchase. Out of Robert Johnson's 29 recorded songs, only 17 are present here. Absolute classics like "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom", "Sweet Home Chicago", "Steady Rollin' Man", and "From Four Until Late" are missing. Do yourself a favor and purchase The Complete Recordings. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nThis Is Music That Bleeds, May 5, 2001 \nReviewer: A music fan from San Francisco, CA USA \nIt is hard to separate the man and the music from all of the hype. Sony plays up the legend of Robert Johnson rather than the music, which is unfortunate. This is some of the most haunting and searing playing that I have ever heard. The guitar playing is amazingly complex for a self-taught musician. This music is best heard late in the evening when its quiet and everyone has gone to sleep. \n\nThe sound on this CD is a bit better than that of The Complete Recordings. Also, this plays more like an album than The Complete Recordings, which is full of alternate takes and studio chatter. At this price, this is a bargain but for fuller exploration of the man and his music, the box set is also essential. \n\nIf you are new to Robert Johnson, try to listen to the music first, before reading the liner notes about his life and who he has influenced. The music stands on its own as seminal blues that is timeless. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nKeef Riffhard, April 20, 2001 \nReviewer: David Bradley from Sterling, VA United States \nIgnore the nauseating hype-machine that seems to grow out of any conversation concerning Robert Johnson. All the talk of "deals with the devil" and "tales of infamy" obscure the fact that he was a great, great guitar player and singer.\n\nOne good reason to listen to this music is because it makes Keith Richards guitar playing more obviously part of a continuing fabric, and it makes it pretty obvious what Keith was listening to when he settled on a singing style. Jimmy Page obviously got a lot out of these recordings too.\n\nBut I'm falling into the modern-day trap now too. \n\nForget who influenced what, forget all the garbage about tracking down Johnson's roots, and figuring out if he really sold his soul to gain his ability, yadda yadda yadda.\n\nInstead, play this record, LOUD. It's great stuff, and can stand on it's own. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nEssential supplement to The Complete Recordings, April 2, 2001 \nReviewer: Alexander G. Lynn from Chicago, IL USA \nThe music and legend of Robert Johnson loom over twentieth century music so vastly that perhaps the only valid analogy would be to the sky. Johnson's legacy is profound to the point of forming the entire field upon which generations of guitarists and singers of rock and roll and blues music have shaped their aspirations, as if the clouds present in Johnson's horizon can be interpreted into any number of shapes that may be re-combined to form countless new dreams and nightmares. Six-and-a-half decades after these recordings were made (and four decades after the original version of this album was released into an unsuspecting world), Johnson continues to resonate in our culture as a figure beyond life, much like Hank Williams, Charlie Parker, Arthur Lee, Brian Wilson, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, or Kurt Cobain. \n\nThat Johnson's influence is too often due to his legend rather than his music is unfortunate. Along with Charlie Patton, Skip James, Lemon Jefferson, Will!ie Brown, Son House, Geeshie Wiley, and Willie McTell, Johnson cut some of the most chilling, joyous, direct and dazzling guitar blues of the pre-World War II era. His arrangements for solo guitar provide the matrix that virtually all post-war band-based blues and blues rock builds upon. This excelllent CD presents many of his most famous and influential tunes, in the finest sound quality possible. Sonically, the recordings as presented on this disc are a little warmer and fuller than on The Complete Recordings two-CD set. The alternate take of Travelling Riverside Blues (unavailable on "The Complete Recordings," as this take had not been discovered when that set was originally issued in 1990) is a welcome addition to the Johnson canon. For the casual fan, this may be an excellent starting point, although the excelllent liner notes on The Complete Recordings may provide context and lyrical transcriptions that would assist those uninitiated into Johnson's endlessly rewarding mu!sic, one of the true milestones of twentieth century culture. \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nUnreleased Track A Revelation, June 27, 2000 \nReviewer: A music fan from Greenwich Village, N.Y. \nThe previously unreleased early take of "Traveling Riverside Blues" will be a revelation for serious devotees of Johnson, since it shows him in a markedly spontaneous, uncertain and vulnerable state that's winning in its lack of audience-minded effect. This is Johnson thinking out loud about the song, its personal meaning and its communicative potential, exploring how to merge all these perspectives for maximum impact on a waiting world. Poignant and electrifying. \n\nHalf.com Album Credits\nProducer: Don Law.\nCompilation LP reissue producer: Frank Driggs.\nCD reissue producer: Lawrence Cohn.\nVincent Liebler, Engineer\n\nAlbum Notes\nSolo performer: Robert Johnson (vocals, acoustic guitar).\n\nThis reissue of KING OF THE DELTA BLUES SINGERS contains 1 previously unreleased track. \n\nDigitally remastered by Robert Vosgien (CMS Digital, Pasadena, California).\n\nRecorded in San Antonio, Texas on November 23 & 26-27, 1936 and Dallas, Texas on June 19-20, 1937. Original LP released on Columbia Records (1961). Includes original liner notes by Frank Driggs. Includes reissue liner notes by Peter Guralnick.\n\nThis is part of Columbia/Legacy's Master Sound series.\nMaster Sound releases are 24-karat gold CDs remastered from first-generation masters. This process utilizes 20-bit technology and Sony's "Super Bit Mapping" system.\n\nOf all the early blues singers and players, Robert Johnson towers above all the others. He lived fast, died young, and left a small body of music that laid the groundwork for electric blues as well as rock & roll. Johnson had a unique voice, capable of deep growlings and grumblings and eerie, almost ghostly wails and moans. His guitar illustrated his stories, making any other instruments irrelevant. His songs conveyed a sense of a man trying to outrun a pack of demons ("Hell Hound on My Trail," "Cross Road Blues"), were autobiographical ("I'm a Steady Rollin' Man") and, of course, dealt with love troubles ("From Four Until Late," "Love in Vain"). Johnson's songs have become blues standards--"Sweet Home Chicago," "Dust My Broom," and many others have been adapted by many rock bands, from the Rolling Stones' version of "Love in Vain" to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "They're Red Hot." If you want to hear the main architect of the twin dynasties of blues and rock & roll (who also influenced folk and country music), Robert Johnson is the man, and KING is a beautifully annotated introduction.\n\nVibe (12/01/1999)\nIncluded in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century\n\nQ Magazine (7/01, p.86) - Included in Q's 50 Heaviest Albums of All Time - ...Music that is stark, possessed and frighteningly intense...\n\nLiving Blues (1-2/99, p.78) - ...will no doubt be irresistible to hardcore Johnson fans.\n\nRolling Stone (12/02/1970)\n...Johnson is just incredible: a great guitarist, a brilliant song writer, a tremendous singer...it's the highest art, the greatest beauty imaginable...\n\nDown Beat (5/24/62) - 5 Stars - Excellent - ...He was a haunting singer and a poet.... there is a variety of tempo and rhythm and attitude here that is a credit to the tradition, and in the hoarse directness of Johnson's voice there is an immediacy that cuts... through the 25 years since these tracks were made....Those words are strong on paper, but when one hears Johnson sing them they are stronger still, and beautiful. His kind of emotional honesty takes bravery.... Honor Robert Johnson....\n
This blues cd contains 17 tracks and runs 46min 8sec.
Freedb: dd0ace11

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