The Robert Johnson Appreciation Thread

Howard the Duck · 07-13-2011, 06:00 AM

Terraplane Blues?

blastingas10 · 08-10-2011, 12:05 PM

Does Robert Johnson play with poly rhythm? i'm not even quite sure what it is, but i believe it is playing two different rhythms at the same time. Robert Johnson certainly does that, when you listen to him it sounds like there are two people there. As Keith Richards said when he heard Robert for the first time, "Who's the other guitar player?"

Can someone clear up this "poly rhythm" thing for me?

Surell · 08-10-2011, 02:07 PM

If that's what defines polyrhythm (which should translate to multiple rhythms), then he most definitely had it in the bag, or at least did in an illusive way.

SIRIUSB · 08-10-2011, 02:18 PM

Johnson's technique could be called fingerstyle, or contrapuntal, in that there is a bass pulse with harmonic structure, and a melody line at once.

Several years ago I had the privilege of performing with a friend of Robert Johnson's, the last of the Delta Bluesmen, Honeyboy Edwards at BB Kings in NYC . . . what a tremendous time I had, just talking with this cat in the dressing room about Robert Johnson and voodoo in Mississippi and it's influence on Robert's lyrics.

blastingas10 · 08-10-2011, 02:59 PM

Thats awesome, man. How did you manage that? Who else can play like Robert Johnson? I've never heard anyone that could.

SIRIUSB · 08-10-2011, 03:05 PM

I was in the House band for BB Kings in Times Square, so I got to play with whoever was coming through the area . . . neat gig.

This woman Rory Block, she can do Johnson excellently and has a helluva voice too (not bad on the eyes either) also John Hammond Jr. does a great job

blastingas10 · 08-10-2011, 03:29 PM

Wow. Thats impressive.

Necromancer · 11-03-2011, 10:25 AM

Eric Clapton was Allen Collins hero, so..goes Skynyrd's cover of one of Robert Johnson's most famous singles, Crossroads.

**Goofle** · 12-11-2011, 10:58 PM

Somehow I hadn't scrobbled a song by him up until tonight when I decided to listen to "American Roots Music" which is basically a remastered compilation. Great stuff.

blastingas10 · 12-12-2011, 02:55 AM

I've heard some shredders say that they were surprised at how good Johnson was and they didn't think they could play like him. Surprising to hear from someone who usually thinks speed is the only way to measure technical ability.

08-10-2011, 12:05 PM	#32 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	Does Robert Johnson play with poly rhythm? i'm not even quite sure what it is, but i believe it is playing two different rhythms at the same time. Robert Johnson certainly does that, when you listen to him it sounds like there are two people there. As Keith Richards said when he heard Robert for the first time, "Who's the other guitar player?" Can someone clear up this "poly rhythm" thing for me?

08-10-2011, 02:18 PM	#34 (permalink)
SIRIUSB Luciferian Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 278	Johnson's technique could be called fingerstyle, or contrapuntal, in that there is a bass pulse with harmonic structure, and a melody line at once. Several years ago I had the privilege of performing with a friend of Robert Johnson's, the last of the Delta Bluesmen, Honeyboy Edwards at BB Kings in NYC . . . what a tremendous time I had, just talking with this cat in the dressing room about Robert Johnson and voodoo in Mississippi and it's influence on Robert's lyrics.

08-10-2011, 02:59 PM	#35 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	Thats awesome, man. How did you manage that? Who else can play like Robert Johnson? I've never heard anyone that could.

08-10-2011, 03:05 PM	#36 (permalink)
SIRIUSB Luciferian Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 278	I was in the House band for BB Kings in Times Square, so I got to play with whoever was coming through the area . . . neat gig. This woman Rory Block, she can do Johnson excellently and has a helluva voice too (not bad on the eyes either) also John Hammond Jr. does a great job

08-10-2011, 03:29 PM	#37 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	Wow. Thats impressive.

11-03-2011, 10:25 AM	#38 (permalink)
Necromancer Divination Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,655	Eric Clapton was Allen Collins hero, so..goes Skynyrd's cover of one of Robert Johnson's most famous singles, Crossroads.

12-12-2011, 02:55 AM	#40 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	I've heard some shredders say that they were surprised at how good Johnson was and they didn't think they could play like him. Surprising to hear from someone who usually thinks speed is the only way to measure technical ability.