King of the Delta Blues Singers

Occupation

• Robert Johnson - vocals, guitar

King of the Delta Blues Singers is a 1961 published with Columbia Records compilation album containing material of the American blues musician Robert Johnson, which was recorded in November 1936 and in June 1937 in a two-part session.

Most of the songs had been previously published in the 1930s with Vocalion Records, but it was the publication of the King of the Delta Blues Singers, which Johnson made a wide, now also white audience and Johnson's reputation as one of the largest Böues - musicians of all time justified. He was previously known only to a small audience.

In fact, King of the Delta Blues Singers is one of, if not the most important figure in the blues music and also considered one of the greatest albums in music history. The Rolling Stone listed the album in 2003 in their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time at number 27 in the outdated version that created the magazine a few years later, this album was "replaced" by a complete compilation of all Johnson songs. The Complete Recordings is currently listed even on the 22nd place.

The Mojo Magazine listed the album at number 6 of those albums that changed the world.

Background

Robert Johnson was at the time when the record was released practically only known collectors. He had received during his lifetime, only two recording sessions material which, although well sold to first but no longer anchored him in the minds of music fans. His early death at the age of only 27 years made ​​further recordings impossible, but solidified the very mythological reputation that surrounded Johnson. So they told himself that he had the devil sold in a fist between his soul pact to very quickly become a good guitarist. In fact, the only way was to describe Johnson's talent for many. At the beginning of his career he was still ridiculed by blues musicians such as Son House for his skills on the guitar.

King of the Delta Blues Singers and in 1970 released album Vol II led to a rediscovery of Johnson as a musician and person, and finally brought him into the ranks of the greatest blues musicians of all time. Many bedeutente musicians inside and outside the blues music played pieces by Johnson live and in the studio. Among them: Eric Clapton, Howlin 'Wolf, Elmore James and Bob Dylan.

Appearance

The album King of the Delta Blues Singers appeared in 1961 on Columbia Records. During his lifetime, Johnson's recordings were published by Vocalion Records. The fact that Johnson has now been sold at such a popular label, meant that it gave the album more attention. In fact, very little of Johnson's life and his personality is generally known at the time of publication, so that the original plate text contained many details that apply today to be wrong. In 1998, the album was finally released as a CD.

Title list

All songs were written by Robert Johnson.