Show 30: Robert Johnson's Legacy
This one pushes past the legend and goes looking for the players Johnson learned from, borrowed from, and answered back to. It groups the tracks to show that even a giant like Johnson came out of a crowded, living field of older sounds.
For today's 30th episode of the CC Blues Show, I have elected to highlight one of the blues greats, Robert Johnson. Now, Johnson may be known as being the king of Delta blues, but his repertoire ran far and wide. Depending on his audience, Johnson would play anything from Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell compositions to the latest Gene Autry or Bing Crosby song. The synthesis of all the sounds from the '20s and '30s led to Mr. Johnson's remarkable lyrics and guitar virtuosity. Although Johnson appears to be one of a kind, he, like all masters of their craft, sits on the shoulders of giants. Throughout this broadcast, we'll hear some of Johnson's songs to begin, and then move on to the music released before his short but incredible career. Up first is "Sweet Home Chicago," with lyrics inspired by Scrapper Blackwell's "Kokomo Blues" and music inspired by Roosevelt Sykes, the Honeydripper. Here's Mr. Johnson.
This one pushes past the legend and goes looking for the players Johnson learned from, borrowed from, and answered back to. It groups the tracks to show that even a giant like Johnson came out of a crowded, living field of older sounds.
| Order | Track | Artist | Segment | Bridge | Story |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweet Home Chicago | Robert Johnson | 1 | Story | |
| 2 | Traveling Riverside Blues | Robert Johnson | 1 | - | |
| 3 | Hell Hound On My Trail | Robert Johnson | 1 | - | |
| 4 | Milkcow's Calf Blues | Robert Johnson | 1 | - | |
| 5 | Me and the Devil Blues | Robert Johnson | 1 | - | |
| 6 | Cross Road Blues | Robert Johnson | 1 | Story | |
| 7 | Cypress Grove Blues | Skip James | 1 | - | |
| 8 | 22-20 Blues | Skip James | 1 | Story | |
| 9 | When the Sun Goes Down | Scrapper Blackwell,Leroy Carr | 1 | Yes | - |
| 10 | How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone | Scrapper Blackwell,Leroy Carr | 2 | Yes | - |
| 11 | The Honey Dripper | Roosevelt Sykes | 2 | - | |
| 12 | Kokomo Blues | Scrapper Blackwell | 2 | - | |
| 13 | Maggie Campbell Blues | Tommy Johnson | 2 | - | |
| 14 | Police Station Blues - 1932 Version | Peetie Wheatstraw | 2 | - | |
| 15 | Head Cuttin' Blues | Kokomo Arnold | 2 | - | |
| 16 | Old Original Kokomo Blues | Kokomo Arnold | 2 | - | |
| 17 | Go Ahead, Buddy | Casey Bill Weldon | 2 | - | |
| 18 | Sagefield Woman Blues | Casey Bill Weldon,Kokomo Arnold | 2 | - | |
| 19 | A Spoonful Blues | Charley Patton | 2 | Yes | - |
| 20 | Poor Me | Charley Patton | 3 | Yes | - |
| 21 | Future Blues | Willie Brown | 3 | - | |
| 22 | Walking Blues | Son House,Willie Brown,Fiddlin’ Joe Martin,Leroy Williams | 3 | - | |
| 23 | Early Morning Blues | Blind Blake | 3 | - | |
| 24 | Roll and Tumble Blues - 1929 Version | Hambone Willie Newbern | 3 | - | |
| 25 | Death Valley Is Just Half Way To My Home | Lonnie Johnson | 3 | - | |
| 26 | One Dime Blues | Blind Lemon Jefferson | 3 | - | |
| 27 | Rambler Blues | Blind Lemon Jefferson | 3 | Yes | Story |
| 28 | Fixin' To Die Blues | Bukka White | 4 | Yes | - |
| 29 | Mean and Evil Blues | Tampa Red | 4 | - | |
| 30 | Don't Deal with the Devil | Tampa Red | 4 | - | |
| 31 | Lead Pencil Blues | Johnnie Temple | 4 | - | |
| 32 | Sitting On Top Of The World | Mississippi Sheiks | 4 | - | |
| 33 | Bull Doze Blues | Henry Thomas | 4 | - | |
| 34 | Waiting for a Train | Jimmie Rodgers | 4 | Story | |
| 35 | Blue Yodel No. 9 (Standin' on the Corner) | Jimmie Rodgers | 4 | - | |
| 36 | Tumbling Tumbleweeds | Gene Autry | 4 | - |