I am a huge fan of the WB series "Supernatural" - I have Seasons 1 - 4 on DVD and the show is in it's final Season (5). I have not seen any of Season 5 as yet so I might just grab the box set when it's out.
Anyways - "Crossroad Blues" was an episode on Season 2 which is based in part of the old Robert Johnson legend.
It started in 1938 Mississippi (tastefully done in black and white) with a young 20-something black man (assuming to be "Robert Johnson") who was playing some amazing blues guitar to a crowd and all of a sudden heard some growling dogs roaming outside. The sound of the growls can only be heard by Robert, and all of a sudden, it seems that there is a realisation as to why only he can hear the sounds of these "hell hounds".
The above is based on folklore, legend or even suggested by Robert Johnson himself in songs ("Hell Hound on My Trail; Crossroad Blues) that he sold his soul to become one of the best and most influential guitarists of all time (in fact Rolling Stone listed Robert at Number 5 in their list of the Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time - not bad at all). .
You may ask, and quite rightly so, who is Robert Johnson....well he was an amazing and one of the most influential blues guitarists of all time. He was born in 1911 and died in 1938 at age 27 (I am going to do a post called the "27 Club") and some rumoured that the devil had come to claim Robert's soul as payment for his fame.
Robert has influenced some of rock history's biggest artists - Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin to name a few.
I have not heard any of Robert's recordings mainly because I am afraid? but from what I have read they were some of the most astounding guitar works in blues music and might have set the prototype for American blues - yes - he was that big!
I find this legend intriguing!
Anyways folks TTYL!
Hey Steve--this isn't really a comment about this post, but I didn't see an e-mail for you, and just wanted to say thanks for your comments on "The Magic of Ordinary Guys!" It's very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteJudging from the pics on your page, you look pretty cute yourself--so, maybe you'd like be featured there? :-)
Don't be afraid of Robert Johnson - be very, very afraid! But that shouldn't stop you listening to his small output. And he can't be blamed for Eric Clapton.
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