album · June 16, 2017
American Epic: The Best of Blind Willie Johnson
Columbia/LegacySee this day
bluesgospel
This 2017 compilation collects 15 essential tracks from Blind Willie Johnson, showcasing his unique blend of raw, spiritual fervor and masterful slide guitar work.
- The recordings span a short period in 1927-1929, during which Johnson waxed 30 sides for Columbia Records.
- Johnson's fiery slide guitar technique, often played on a six-string, profoundly influenced later generations of blues and rock musicians.
- "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground," a track also included here, was among the recordings chosen for inclusion on the Voyager Golden Record, sent into space in 1977.
Blind Willie Johnson was a towering figure in early American blues and gospel music, known for his intensely emotive slide guitar playing and deep, powerful voice. His recordings from the late 1920s remain some of the most enduring and influential in the genre.
Tracklist
