Series: Roots N' Blues
Release Date: April 27, 1993.
Recording Time: 94 minutes.
Recording Date: December 3, 1927 - April 20, 1930.
Release Info: Columbia - C2K 52835, Legacy - C2K 52835, 2 x CD, Compilation, Remastered, Repress, Mono.
The tradition of Texas gospel blues survives (and thrives) over generations in the lore and recordings of Blind Willie Johnson. This collection, his complete recorded output, provides vivid insight into both the signify of his work and remarkable life. With comprehensive notes and song-by-song annotations which include lyrics and related anecdotes, "The Complete Blund Willie Johnson" is a "must have" for any gospel blues fan.
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If you've never heard Blind Willie Johnson, you are in for one of the great, bone-chilling treats in music. Johnson played slide guitar and sang in a rasping, false bass that could freeze the blood. But no bluesman was he; this was gospel music of the highest order, full of emotion and heartfelt commitment. Of all the guitar-playing evangelists, Blind Willie Johnson may have been the very best. Though not related by bloodlines to Robert Johnson, comparisons in the emotional commitment of both men cannot be helped. This two-CD anthology collects everything known to exist, and that's a lot of stark, harrowing, emotional commitment no matter how you slice it. Not for the faint of heart, but hey, the good stuff never is. ~ Cub Koda
Credits: Art Direction, Design - Howard Fritzson; CGI Artist (Computer Graphic Arts) - Paul M. Martin; Compilation Producer (Roots N' Blues Series) - Lawrence Cohn; Coordinator (Packaging Coordination) - Gina Campanero; Executive-Producer - Gary Pacheco, Lawrence Cohn; Liner Notes - Samuel Charters; Management (Project Director) - Adam Block; Restoration (Archival Restoration), Remastered By (Remastering) - David Mitson.
Tracklist:
- 1-01. I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole - Blind Willie Johnson
- 1-02. Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed - Blind Willie Johnson
- 1-03. It's Nobody's Fault But Mine - Blind Willie Johnson
- 1-04. Mother's Children Have A Hard Time - Blind Willie Johnson
- 1-05. Dark Was The Night - Cold Was The Ground - Blind Willie Johnson
- 1-06. If I Had My Way I'd Tear The Building Down - Blind Willie Johnson
- 1-07. I'm Gonna Run To The City Of Refuge - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 1-08. Jesus Is Coming Soon - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 1-09. Lord I Just Can't Keep From Crying - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 1-10. Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 1-11. Let Your Light Shine On Me - Blind Willie Johnson
- 1-12. God Don't Never Change - Blind Willie Johnson
- 1-13. Bye And Bye I'm Goin' To See The King - Blind Willie Johnson
- 1-14. Sweeter As The Years Roll By - Blind Willie Johnson
- 2-01. You'll Need Somebody On Your Bond - Blind Willie Johnson
- 2-02. When The War Was On - Blind Willie Johnson
- 2-03. Praise God I'm Satisfied - Blind Willie Johnson
- 2-04. Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It There - Blind Willie Johnson
- 2-05. Take Your Stand - Blind Willie Johnson
- 2-06. God Moves On The Water - Blind Willie Johnson
- 2-07. Can't Nobody Hide From God - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 2-08. If It Had Not Been For Jesus - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 2-09. Go To Me With That Land - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 2-10. The Rain Don't Fall On Me - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 2-11. Trouble Will Soon Be Over - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 2-12. The Soul Of A Man - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 2-13. Everybody Ought To Treat A Stranger Right - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 2-14. Church, I'm Fully Saved To-Day - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 2-15. John The Revelator - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
- 2-16. You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond - Blind Willie Johnson with Willie B. Harris
Personnel: Blind Willie Johnson - Vocals, Humming, Voice (Moaning), Guitar; Willie B. Harris - Vocals (tracks: 1-7 to 1-10, 2-7 to 2-16); Unknown Artist - Vocals (tracks: 2-1 to 2-5).
Tracks 1-1 to 1-6: Recorded December 3, 1927 in Dallas, Texas
Tracks 1-7 to 1-10: Recorded December 5, 1928 in Dallas, Texas
Tracks 1-11 to 1-14: Recorded December 10, 1929 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Tracks 2-1 to 2-6: Recorded December 11, 1929 in New Orelans, Louisiana
Tracks 2-7 to 2-16: Recorded April 20, 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia.
All tracks are mono recordings.