Search - Robert Johnson :: Hellhound On My Trail

Jeffrey K. from CLYMER, PA
Reviewed on 1/27/2010...

If you're looking for as much good Robert Johnson material as you can get on one CD,
this is a good choice. Robert Johnson only recorded twenty nine songs and this CD has
twenty four of them. However, since this CD is titled 'The Essential Recordings of
Robert Johnson', I think the choices made on what to include and what to omit were not
the best. The five songs omitted are: Travelin' Riverside Blues / When You've Got a
Good Friend / If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day / Phonograph Blues / Drunken
Hearted Man. Several of these omitted songs, especially Travelin' Riverside Blues
are much more essential than some of the songs included such as Dead Shrimp Blues or
They're Red Hot. On the other hand,if you have the Complete Recordings of Robert Johnson
in the two CD Columbia package, one gets tired of sorting through all the alternate takes
of each song to find the version that was originally released. Had 'The Essential
Recordings....' (Indigo Recordings) issued all twenty nine songs this would be the
best CD available on the music of Robert Johnson.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Excellent Single-Disc Collection

C. S. Junker | Burien, WA USA | 06/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The only disadvantage of the two-disc set of blues master Robert Johnson's complete recordings is that it includes all the alternate takes of his 29 songs. For guitarists and serious fans, the Complete Recordings is the one to buy. However, this single-disc set includes 24 of the 29 tracks, and is recommended for the more casual listener.Johnson did not compose many of these tunes, but rewrote existing songs with his own lyrics. These recordings stand out for Johnson's spine-chilling vocals and trail-blazing guitar work.If you have to have it all, and don't object to having almost every song repeated, the 2-disc box set is for you. However, if a less expensive but thorough compilation of Robert Johnson will do, this is the one to get."

Close to Perfect

Robert E. Witwer | Golden, CO United States | 12/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Johnson is the King not only of Delta Blues, but Rock & Roll. You'll be tempted to think some of RJ's songs sound cliched until you realize that he *invented* those cliches -- specifically, the sounds popularized many years later by the Stones, Led Zeppelin and Eric Clapton. And when you consider how influential those guys were/are, it's not a big leap to see how RJ is possibly the most influential American musician ever. You'll also be amazed that these songs are played by one guitar, not two. Take a look at RJ's fingers on the cover of Complete Recordings and you'll understand. Pinky to thumb = at least 7 frets. Whoa.The only reason I say close to perfect is because this disc doesn't have the sizzling "If I Had Posession Over Judgement Day".Short of the Complete Recordings (which has all the alternate takes), this is the most complete RJ disc available. If you've never heard RJ or even the blues before, give it a shot. You won't be disappointed."