Label: Telarc Blues.
Release Date: July 25, 2000.
Recording Time: 61 minutes.
Release Info: SACD-83509, CD, Album.
Recording Date: Dec. 20, 1999 - Dec. 21, 1999.
Recording Location: Suma Recording Studios, Painesville, Ohio.
Delta Crossroads is a highly regarded 2000 album by the blues legend Robert Lockwood, Jr., known for its mix of Robert Johnson covers, blues standards, and Lockwood originals, all performed on a 12-string guitar.
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For Delta Crossroads, Robert Lockwood Jr., a former student of Robert Johnson, returns to his Delta blues roots. This 16-track album features Lockwood with only his 12-string acoustic guitar. It is rather strange hearing old Delta blues sung by one of its originals on a modern recording. All of the notes from the guitar are clear. Plus, his voice isn't scuffed up by the scratches and pop of the vinyl recording. Lockwood plays a mix of Robert Johnson tunes, a few of his own, and some blues standards including "C.C. Rider." With its high production quality and Lockwood's unique and possibly near-extinct style of singing, Delta Crossroads is a strong testament to the endurance of a Delta blues original. ~ Curtis Zimmermann
Credits: Art Direction - Anilda Carrasquillo; Design (Cover) - Brian Sooy; Edited By - Thomas C. Moore; Engineer - Michael Bishop; Executive-Producer - Robert Woods; Liner Notes - Bill Wasserzieher; Photography By (Cover) - Karen Ollis; Producer - Joe Harley; Supervised By (Production) - Elaine Martone; Technician (Assistant) - James Yates, Mark Robertson-Tessi; Twelve-String Guitar, Vocals - Robert Lockwood, Jr.
The album features 16 songs, including covers of Robert Johnson, Leroy Carr, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jazz Gillum, and several Robert Lockwood, Jr. originals. The complete track listing can be found in the referenced documents.
Reviewers have praised the album for its masterful performance and historical value. Experts noted Lockwood's distinct guitar style and vocals. The album received recognition as a W.C. Handy winner and a Grammy nominee. Users have described the album as "fantastic" and "phenomenal," highlighting the unique opportunity to hear Robert Johnson's material played by someone who performed with him.
Note: Lockwood was the only musician known to have been taught to play by Robert Johnson personally, making his interpretations of Johnson's work particularly significant.
Tracklist:
- 01. 32-20 Blues (Written-By - Robert Johnson) [3:15]
- 02. Mean Mistreater Mama (Written-By - Leroy Carr) [4:16]
- 03. This Little Girl Of Mine (Written-By - Robert Lockwood, Jr.) [4:02]
- 04. Stop Breakin' Down Blues (Written-By - Robert Johnson) [3:34]
- 05. My Woman Came Walking Down (Written-By - Robert Lockwood, Jr.) [5:16]
- 06. C.C. Rider (Written-By - Sam "Lightning" Hopkins) [3:56]
- 07. Little Queen Of Spades (Written-By - Robert Johnson) [2:09]
- 08. I Believe I'll Dust My Broom (Written-By - Robert Johnson) [4:00]
- 09. In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down) (Written-By - Leroy Carr) [5:02]
- 10. We're Gonna Ball Tonight (Written-By - Robert Lockwood, Jr.) [3:18]
- 11. Mr. Downchild (Written-By - Robert Johnson) [3:28]
- 12. Run Your Mama (Written By - Robert Lockwood, Jr.) [4:20]
- 13. Ramblin' On My Mind (Written-By - Robert Johnson) [2:50]
- 14. Love In Vain Blues (Written-By - Robert Johnson) [3:26]
- 15. Train My Baby (Written-By - Robert Lockwood, Jr.) [3:34]
- 16. Keys To The Highway (Written-By - Jazz Gillum) [4:24]