Robet Johnson

[abcdefz]

...I was thinking of doing the unforgivable/impossible: starting a tourney to see what people think is Robert Johnson's best recorded song (his version).

Can you imagine picking the best?


Kindhearted Woman Blues
Dust my Broom
Sweet Home Chicago
Rambling on my Mind
When You Got a Good Friend
Come on in my Kitchen
Terraplane Blues
Cross Road Blues
Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Preaching Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)
If I Had posession Over Judgement Day
Stones in my Passway
From Four Till late
Drunken hearted Man
Me and the Devil Blues
Stop Breakin' Down Blues
Traveling Riverside Blues
Love in Vain



....I mean.... has any other writer/performer ever had such a huge ratio of undeniable classics?

[DroppinScience]

Dammit, there's a guy I've been meaning to get into for quite awhile! Thanks for reminding me.

The only thing I can contribute to is that I love "Stop Breaking Down" when it's covered by The White Stripes (they do an all-out rocker there) and The Rolling Stones (do a very blues-y version). I haven't heard the original though. :(

[b-grrrlie]

It's been quite a few years since I borrowed his collection from the library and can't remember which was what. I'm heading to the library again on Monday, maybe it's still there, so I'll have a new listen.

[HEIRESS]

I love "dust my broom" alot
it's a weird song but I just adore it

[ms.peachy]

I don't really think in terms of 'what the best one'.

He's just the original. That's all there is to it. It's all good.

[Knuckles]

I don't really think in terms of 'what the best one'.

He's just the original. That's all there is to it. It's all good.
yup (y)

[abcdefz]

Some years ago when I first got on the board, we did another worthless but fun comparison tourney thing with cheese. I just think it'd be interesting to know which of his songs would win.

I can't fathom it, which is what, in part, makes it oddly appealing.

DroppinScience -- when you hear Robert Johnson, you're likely to pass out. It's unbelievable what this guy could make himself do as a writer, singer, and guitarist. And, since there was no overdubbing, he developed technical ability to make so many sounds himself... when Eric Clapton covered him recently, he said he just had to give up and double track parts of the songs, because he couldn't figure out how to play it with just two hands...

I've heard the Stones' live version of Stop Breaking Down, and it's terrific, but there's no candle to Johnson's "pleeeeease, stop breakin' down..... ooooooo oooooooo!" He actualy sounds like he's in pain because women fall in his bed so easily.

[DroppinScience]

DroppinScience -- when you hear Robert Johnson, you're likely to pass out. It's unbelievable what this guy could make himself do as a writer, singer, and guitarist. And, since there was no overdubbing, he developed technical ability to make so many sounds himself... when Eric Clapton covered him recently, he said he just had to give up and double track parts of the songs, because he couldn't figure out how to play it with just two hands...

I've heard the Stones' live version of Stop Breaking Down, and it's terrific, but there's no candle to Johnson's "pleeeeease, stop breakin' down..... ooooooo oooooooo!" He actualy sounds like he's in pain because women fall in his bed so easily.


Nice. I'll go see if I can find some stuff next week or something. :)

[RobMoney]

Just wanted to mention the Stones cover of "Love in Vain" too......awesome (y)

[BangkokB]

You forget my personal favorite and reality~ Hellhound on my Trail

[SobaViolence]

there are two albums which contain all of his recordings, called 'King of the Delta Blues Singers' vol 1 & 2 on Columbia records. they are mint. (y)

i got them at music world.

[GreenFairy]

Kindhearted Woman Blues
Dust my Broom
Sweet Home Chicago
Rambling on my Mind
When You Got a Good Friend
Come on in my Kitchen
Terraplane Blues
Cross Road Blues
Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Preaching Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)
If I Had posession Over Judgement Day
Stones in my Passway
From Four Till late
Drunken hearted Man
Me and the Devil Blues
Stop Breakin' Down Blues
Traveling Riverside Blues
Love in Vain



This is a great list! I love "Me and the devil blues", "Walking blues", "Drunken hearted Man"...

[abcdefz]

You forget my personal favorite and reality~ Hellhound on my Trail



Clerical error. That's surely one of his definitive songs.

[DroppinScience]

I'm listening to "King of the Delta Blues Singers" right now. I like! (y)

[SobaViolence]

you're welcome :cool: