Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings – Columbia C2K 46222 

There’s nothing daunting with this recording review (insert sarcasm here)!  Like when reviewing the recorded works of Muddy Waters, Charlie Patton, Son House, or Howlin’ Wolf, considering the output of this legendary blues artist humbles even the most composed of blues commentators.

Over the years, the details and speculation girding Johnson’s life and talent acquisition only continued to deepen, with his 1936 and 1937 recordings, made in Dallas, Texas and San Antonio, Texas hotel rooms, being the only tangible aspects of his life that truly matter. 

Casting the myths, suppositions, and speculations to the side, Johnson left the world a catalog of blues songs that now, after 85 and 86 years, continue to widely influence blues and rock guitarists and singers alike.  Many of Johnson’s songs arose to the upper reaches of blues veneration, including “Sweet Home Chicago”, “Terraplane Blues”, “Cross Road Blues”, “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom”, “Love In Vain”, “Rambling On My Mind”, and “Walking Blues”.

All of Johnson’s output features chilling and surreal vocal metaphors, and thrilling slide guitar.  This is blues poetry the likes of which most likely will never again be cast. 

Consider this the ultimate acoustic Delta blues assemblage, from the most influential of all blues artists, one that comprises all 41 takes of Johnson’s 29 stunning sides.  This gathering of Johnson’s mastery comes in a distinctive collector’s box set that is complemented with a detailed 48-page booklet chocked-full of biographical theses and exceptional photographs. 

This is the conclusive gathering of the recorded production of an American musical icon, one whose sway continues to affect nearly every guitar player across in all genres. 

Johnson was inducted into the inaugural Blues Hall Of Fame class in 1980, and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1986.

Song Titles

               CD #1

• Kindhearted Woman Blues (Takes I and II)
• I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom
• Sweet Home Chicago
• Rambling On My Mind (Takes I and II)
• When You Got A Good Friend (Takes I and II)
• Come On In My Kitchen (Takes I and II)
• Terraplane Blues
• Phonograph Blues (Takes I and II)
• 32-20 Blues
• They’re Red Hot
• Dead Shrimp Blues
• Cross Road Blues (Takes I and II)
• Walking Blues
• Last Fair Deal Gone Down

CD #2

• Preaching Blues (Up Jumped The Devil)
• If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day
• Stones In My Passway
• I’m A Steady Rollin’ Man
• From Four Till Late
• Hellhound On My Trail
• Little Queen Of Spades (Takes I and II)
• Malted Milk
• Drunken Hearted Man (Takes I and II)
• Me And The Devil Blues (Takes I and II)
• Stop Breakin’ Down Blues (Takes I and II)
• Traveling Riverside Blues
• Honeymoon Blues
• Love In Vain (Takes I and II)
• Milkcow’s Calf Blues (Takes I and II)