Discussion:
John Hammond on Robert Johnson, 1937
(too old to reply)
BobRoman
2024-09-16 15:18:39 UTC
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"Before closing, we cannot help but call your attention to the greatest
Negro blues singer who has popped up in recent years, Robert Johnson.
Recording them in deepest Mississippi, Vocalion has certainly done right
by us in the tunes 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' and 'Terraplane Blues,' to
mention only two of the four sides already released, sung to his own
guitar accompaniment. Johnson makes Leadbelly sound like an accomplished
poseur."
John Hammond
New Masses
March 2, 1937

I think the idea that is commonly promoted, that no one but a tiny
community knew of Robert Johnson during his lifetime, is overstated.

--
BR
DianeE
2024-09-16 19:48:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by BobRoman
"Before closing, we cannot help but call your attention to the greatest
Negro blues singer who has popped up in recent years, Robert Johnson.
Recording them in deepest Mississippi, Vocalion has certainly done right
by us in the tunes 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' and 'Terraplane Blues,' to
mention only two of the four sides already released, sung to his own
guitar accompaniment. Johnson makes Leadbelly sound like an accomplished
poseur."
John Hammond
New Masses
March 2, 1937
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I thought they were recorded in Texas. In fact, I'm *sure* they were
recorded in Texas.
------------
Post by BobRoman
I think the idea that is commonly promoted, that no one but a tiny
community knew of Robert Johnson during his lifetime, is overstated.
-------------------
Maybe it's overstated--the last book on him I read said he traveled to
Chicago and even to NYC (accompanied by Johnny Shines and Calvin
Frazier). But it's also true that his best-selling record sold only
about 10,000 copies.
Jim Colegrove
2024-09-17 03:07:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by DianeE
Post by BobRoman
"Before closing, we cannot help but call your attention to the greatest
Negro blues singer who has popped up in recent years, Robert Johnson.
Recording them in deepest Mississippi, Vocalion has certainly done right
by us in the tunes 'Last Fair Deal Gone Down' and 'Terraplane Blues,' to
mention only two of the four sides already released, sung to his own
guitar accompaniment. Johnson makes Leadbelly sound like an accomplished
poseur."
John Hammond
New Masses
March 2, 1937
------------
I thought they were recorded in Texas. In fact, I'm *sure* they were
recorded in Texas.
In 1936 at San Antonio's Gunter Hotel and in Dallas at 508 Park Avenue
in 1937.
Post by DianeE
------------
Post by BobRoman
I think the idea that is commonly promoted, that no one but a tiny
community knew of Robert Johnson during his lifetime, is overstated.
-------------------
Maybe it's overstated--the last book on him I read said he traveled to
Chicago and even to NYC (accompanied by Johnny Shines and Calvin
Frazier). But it's also true that his best-selling record sold only
about 10,000 copies.
DianeE
2024-09-17 03:12:33 UTC
Permalink
On 9/16/2024 3:48 PM, DianeE wrote:
--the last book on him I read said he traveled to
Post by DianeE
Chicago and even to NYC (accompanied by Johnny Shines and Calvin
Frazier).
-----------
(That book was "Up Jumped The Devil" by Conforth & Wardlow, published in
2019.)
Dean
2024-09-18 06:07:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by DianeE
(That book was "Up Jumped The Devil" by Conforth & Wardlow, published in
2019.)
You absolutely must read Mack McCormick's BIOGRAPHY OF A PHANTOM. It was
just published last year and is the definitive bio of Robert Johnson.
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