Search - Robert Johnson :: Gold Collection

A mediocre substitute

Stephen A. Haines | Ottawa, Ontario Canada | 02/23/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If there is a Mecca for Blues fans, this must be it. Robert Johnson is not the founder of the Blues, but was the first to be brought to light as one of its finest purveyors. A young man when he began the Blues Circuit, his tragic death at the age of 27 curtailed a career that can now only be imagined.Robert Johnson's musical career began shortly after the death of his young wife in childbirth. Son House, one of the early acoustic blues luminaries, toured Mississippi and fanned the musical spark Johnson carried from his early life. He followed House around the state, absorbing the forceful imagery the Delta Blues can convey. Johnson's early efforts weren't well received, but he persevered, playing in cheap road houses and workers' camps. At some point, his talent began to emerge, almost with a mysterious force. This rather sudden emergence led to stories that he'd "done a deal with the devil" to spark a talent others had scorned. It had taken him three years, but even Son House recognized a drastic improvement had manifested a new major figure in the Delta Blues scene.Johnson recorded only two sets of his compositions, but they have become legendary in their impact on the Blues genre. Produced in the unlikely venues of a hotel room and a warehouse, Johnson's recordings are fundamental to any collection of Blues.Regrettably, this CD set falls a bit short of the apex of Johnson releases. If nothing else, the paucity of notes is unforgivable. Musically, the sound quality is a bit faded. As a "second generation" of Johnson collections, this CD pair is, from one sense, incomplete. Although all the songs are here, even some of the multiple take versions that he did during the sessions, it doesn't present them all. That accomplishment is listed elsewhere on this site. Although ten dollars more in cost, the investment is worth it to gain the full picture of what Johnson recorded. Buy this set for the music if you really can't afford the better offering. If you're a true Blues fan, you will find the money."