The Complete Recordings | ||||
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Compilation album by | ||||
Released | August 28, 1990 | |||
Recorded |
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Studio |
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Genre | Delta blues | |||
Length | 104:53 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer |
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Robert Johnson chronology | ||||
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The Complete Recordings is a compilation album by American Delta blues musician Robert Johnson. The 41 songs were recorded in two sessions in Dallas and San Antonio, Texas for the American Record Company (ARC) during 1936 and 1937. Most were first released on 78 rpm records in 1937. The Complete Recordings, released August 28, 1990, by Columbia Records, contains every recording Johnson is known to have made, with the exception of an alternate take of "Travelling Riverside Blues".
The Complete Recordings peaked at number 80 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album sold more than a million copies, [1] and won a Grammy Award in 1991 for "Best Historical Album." [2] In 1992, the Blues Foundation inducted the album into the Blues Hall of Fame. [3] It also was included by the National Recording Preservation Board in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2003. [4] Eric Clapton and Keith Richards contributed to the album liner notes with essays on Johnson's influence on their music. [5]
Prior to his death in 1938, through the help of H. C. Speir Johnson recorded 29 songs for the American Record Company (ARC). His complete canon of recordings includes these 29 masters, plus 13 surviving alternate takes, all recorded at two ARC sessions held in San Antonio and Dallas, Texas. The Mississippi Delta—two hundred miles of fertile lowlands stretching from Memphis, Tennessee, in the North to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the South—was one of the primary locales in which the blues originated and developed. [6] He is said to have been heavily influenced by early blues artists like Skip James, [7] who was recorded in 1931, around the same time that Johnson amazed his elders with his mastery of the guitar. James's eerie, distinctive style is reflected throughout Johnson's recordings, especially "32-20 Blues," which he adapted from James's "22-20 Blues."
Johnson's first session in San Antonio took place over three days – November 23, 26, and 27, 1936. Sixteen songs were recorded in the Gunter Hotel, where ARC had set up equipment to record several musical artists. "Kind Hearted Woman Blues" was the first song recorded. Also captured in San Antonio were "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom" and "Sweet Home Chicago," both of which became post-war blues standards. "Terraplane Blues," known for its metaphoric lyrics, became a regional hit and Johnson's signature song. Most of the selections were released on Vocalion 78 rpm records, but three songs and several interesting alternate takes remained unissued until they appeared on the Columbia albums. Six months later, on June 19 and 20, 1937, other recording sessions took place at the Warner Brothers/Vitagraph Building in Dallas where, once again, ARC had set up its recording equipment to capture many different musicians. This time 13 songs were recorded and 10 were released during the following year. [8]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [9] |
Baltimore Sun | (favorable) [10] |
Chicago Tribune | [11] |
Down Beat | [12] |
Entertainment Weekly | (A+) [13] |
Los Angeles Times | (favorable) [14] |
Q | [15] |
Rolling Stone | [16] |
Time | (favorable) [17] |
Washington Post | (favorable) [18] |
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings | [19] |
While Robert Johnson's professional recording career can be measured in months, his musical legacy has survived more than 70 years. Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, the two most prominent Chicago bluesmen of the 1950s, both had their roots in the Delta: Muddy was influenced by Johnson's records, [20] and Wolf worked with Johnson around the Delta area. [21] Johnson's emotive vocals, combined with his varied and masterful guitar playing, continue to influence modern blues and popular music performers.
The Chicago Tribune 's Greg Kot wrote that The Complete Recordings, along with Clapton's The Layla Sessions (1990), survive as "monuments of 20th Century music that will rarely, if ever, be equaled". [22]
In 2012, the album was ranked number 22 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. [23]
For recording dates and original releases, see Robert Johnson recordings.
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Kind Hearted Woman Blues" | 2:49 |
2. | "Kind Hearted Woman Blues" (alternate take) | 2:31 |
3. | "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom" | 2:56 |
4. | "Sweet Home Chicago" | 2:59 |
5. | "Ramblin' on My Mind" | 2:51 |
6. | "Ramblin' on My Mind" (alternate take) | 2:20 |
7. | "When You Got a Good Friend" | 2:37 |
8. | "When You Got a Good Friend" (alternate take) | 2:50 |
9. | "Come On in My Kitchen" (alternate take) | 2:47 |
10. | "Come On in My Kitchen" | 2:35 |
11. | "Terraplane Blues" | 3:00 |
12. | "Phonograph Blues" | 2:37 |
13. | "Phonograph Blues" (alternate take) | 2:35 |
14. | "32-20 Blues" | 2:51 |
15. | "They're Red Hot" | 2:56 |
16. | "Dead Shrimp Blues" | 2:30 |
17. | "Cross Road Blues" | 2:39 |
18. | "Cross Road Blues" (alternate take) | 2:29 |
19. | "Walkin' Blues" | 2:28 |
20. | "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" | 2:39 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Preaching Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)" | 2:50 |
2. | "If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day" | 2:34 |
3. | "Stones in My Passway" | 2:27 |
4. | "I'm a Steady Rollin' Man" | 2:35 |
5. | "From Four Till Late" | 2:23 |
6. | "Hellhound on My Trail" | 2:35 |
7. | "Little Queen of Spades" | 2:11 |
8. | "Little Queen of Spades" (alternate take) | 2:15 |
9. | "Malted Milk" | 2:17 |
10. | "Drunken Hearted Man" (alternate take) | 2:24 |
11. | "Drunken Hearted Man" | 2:19 |
12. | "Me and the Devil Blues" (alternate take) | 2:37 |
13. | "Me and the Devil Blues" | 2:29 |
14. | "Stop Breakin' Down Blues" | 2:16 |
15. | "Stop Breakin' Down Blues" (alternate take) | 2:21 |
16. | "Traveling Riverside Blues" | 2:47 |
17. | "Honeymoon Blues" | 2:16 |
18. | "Love in Vain" | 2:28 |
19. | "Love in Vain" (alternate take) | 2:19 |
20. | "Milkcow's Calf Blues" (alternate take) | 2:14 |
21. | "Milkcow's Calf Blues" | 2:20 |
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings reports that a 1995 rerelease of the album had improved sound, resulting from better source material and remastering. In addition to a maximum four-star rating, the guide awarded this reissue a “crown”, indicating a CD of exceptional merit. [19]
A new remastered edition of the album was released in 2011 in commemoration of Johnson's 100th birthday. The Centennial Collection was released in both standard and deluxe editions. [24] The track order was changed so that all of the alternate takes were placed at the end of the discs, rather than side by side with the master tracks—as the 1990 release had placed them. [25] Included on this edition, is a previously unissued take of "Traveling Riverside Blues" (DAL.400-1) which was previously thought to be one of nineteen Robert Johnson Recordings that were lost or destroyed. It was found in the archives of Alan Lomax, which had been purchased by the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. [26]
An audio restored and remastered version [27] [28] , is edited by Doxy in 2015, as The Complete King of the Delta Blues Singers (Doxy Collection, Remastered).
Robert Leroy Johnson was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Although his recording career spanned only seven months, he is recognized as a master of the blues, particularly the Delta blues style, and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as perhaps "the first ever rock star".
McKinley Morganfield, known professionally as Muddy Waters, was an American blues singer and musician who was an important figure in the post-World War II blues scene, and is often cited as the "father of modern Chicago blues". His style of playing has been described as "raining down Delta beatitude".
461 Ocean Boulevard is the second solo studio album by English musician Eric Clapton. It was released in late July 1974 by RSO Records, after the record company released the hit single "I Shot the Sheriff" earlier in the month. The album topped various international charts and sold more than two million copies.
Slowhand is the fifth solo studio album by Eric Clapton. Released on 25 November 1977 by RSO Records, and titled after Clapton's nickname, it is one of his most commercially and critically successful studio albums. Slowhand produced the two hit singles "Lay Down Sally" and "Wonderful Tonight", reached various international music charts and was honoured with numerous awards and recording certifications. In 2012, a deluxe edition was released to celebrate the album's 35th anniversary.
"When the Levee Breaks" is a country blues song written and first recorded by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929. The lyrics reflect experiences during the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
Derek and the Dominos were a short-lived English–American blues rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by singer-guitarist Eric Clapton, keyboardist-singer Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon. All four members had previously played together in Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, during and after Clapton's brief tenure with Blind Faith. Dave Mason supplied additional lead guitar on early studio sessions and played at their first live gig. Another participant at their first session as a band was George Harrison, the recording for whose album All Things Must Pass marked the formation of Derek and the Dominos.
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is the only studio album by the English–American rock band Derek and the Dominos, released on 9 November 1970 as a double album by Polydor Records and Atco Records. It is best known for its title track, "Layla", which is often regarded as Eric Clapton's greatest musical achievement. The other band members were Bobby Whitlock, Jim Gordon, and Carl Radle (bass). Duane Allman played lead and slide guitar on 11 of the 14 songs.
Me and Mr. Johnson is the fifteenth solo studio album recorded by Eric Clapton, released in March 2004 by Reprise Records. It consists of covers of songs written and originally recorded by Robert Johnson. The album cover was painted by Sir Peter Blake, using a series of photographs of Clapton. Clapton had planned to record an album of new material, but by the time of the recording sessions there were not enough new songs written, so the band instead recorded a series of Johnson songs.
Fun House is the second studio album by American rock band the Stooges. It was released on July 7, 1970, by Elektra Records. Though initially commercially unsuccessful, Fun House developed a strong cult following. Like its predecessor and its successor, it is generally considered integral in the development of punk rock.
"Love in Vain" is a blues song written by American musician Robert Johnson. Johnson's performance – vocal accompanied by his finger-style acoustic guitar playing – has been described as "devastatingly bleak". He recorded the song in 1937 during his last recording session and in 1939 it was issued as the last of his original 78 rpm records.
King of the Delta Blues Singers is a compilation album by American Delta blues musician Robert Johnson, released in 1961 by Columbia Records. It is considered one of the most influential blues releases. In 2020, Rolling Stone ranked it number 374 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Blues Breakers, colloquially known as The Beano Album, is the debut studio album by the English blues rock band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, originally credited to John Mayall with Eric Clapton. Produced by Mike Vernon and released in 1966 by Decca Records (UK) and London Records (US), it pioneered a guitar-dominated blues-rock sound.
Folk Singer is the fourth studio album by Muddy Waters, released in January 1964 by Chess Records. The album features Waters on acoustic guitar, backed by Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James on drums, and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar. It is Waters's only all-acoustic album. Numerous reissues of Folk Singer include bonus tracks from two subsequent sessions, in April 1964 and October 1964.
"Cross Road Blues" is a song written by the American blues artist Robert Johnson. He performed it as a solo piece with his vocal and acoustic slide guitar in the Delta blues-style. The song has become part of the Robert Johnson mythology as referring to the place where he supposedly sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for his musical talent. This is based largely on folklore of the American South that identifies a crossroads as the site where such pacts are made, although the lyrics do not contain any references to Satan or a Faustian bargain.
"Stop Breaking Down" or "Stop Breakin' Down Blues" is a Delta blues song recorded by Robert Johnson in 1937. An "upbeat boogie with a strong chorus line", the lyrics are partly based on Johnson's experience with certain women:
What's Shakin' is a compilation album released by Elektra Records in May 1966. It features the earliest studio recordings by the Lovin' Spoonful and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, as well as the only released recordings by the ad hoc studio group Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse, until they were reissued years later.
"From Four Until Late" is a blues song written by Delta blues musician Robert Johnson. He recorded it in Dallas, Texas, during his second to last session for producer Don Law on June 19, 1937. The lyrics contained his philosophical lines of "a man is like a prisoner, and he's never satisfied".
"It's Nobody's Fault but Mine" or "Nobody's Fault but Mine" is a song first recorded by gospel blues artist Blind Willie Johnson in 1927. It is a solo performance with Johnson singing and playing slide guitar. The song has been interpreted and recorded by numerous musicians in a variety of styles, including Led Zeppelin on their 1976 album Presence.
King of the Delta Blues Singers, Vol. II is a compilation album by American blues musician Robert Johnson, released in 1970 by Columbia Records. In 2003, the album was ranked number 424 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
American blues musician Robert Johnson (1911–1938) recorded 29 songs during his brief career. A total of 59 performances, including alternate takes, were recorded over a period of five days at two makeshift recording studios in Texas. Producers selected 25, which Vocalion Records issued on 12 two-sided 78 rpm record singles between 1937 and 1939. These went out-of-print, but were the only source of Johnson's work until his recordings were eventually issued on albums beginning in 1959. In addition to those on the original singles, another 17 recordings have been released.