Robert Johnson King Of The Delta Blues Singers Vol. 2 CD

Along with its predecessor, this companion to KING OF THE DELTA BLUES SINGERS accounts for most of Robert Johnson's small but staggeringly influential output. Recorded in Texas hotel rooms during a handful of 1936 and 1937 sessions, these cuts capture Johnson's brilliant guitar work (its churning bass line, rhythmic invention, and melodic embellishments still sound fresh), his textured, keening tenor voice, and--most importantly--the subtle, complex interplay between the two.

But what makes Johnson's music immortal is that he always exceeded the sum of his technical expertise (which is considerable). With their incisive poetic vision and their themes of longing, displacement, and suffering, Johnson's songs tap into a wellspring of universal emotion. Though capable of expressing sheer exuberance ("They're Red Hot"), Johnson at his best ("Love in Vain;" "Ramblin' on My Mind") told the story of the human soul seeking purchase. As an album, VOL. 2 may have the edge on VOL. 1, but all of Johnson's work is essential because it mirrors life at its most intense. His music still has the power to mystify, dazzle, and enrich the listener's life beyond measure.

King of the Delta Blues Singers,is a wonderful follow-up to the first compilation of Robert Johnson's small library of recorded work. This album boasts the first album appearance of "Love in Vain," as well as a number of other blues classics penned by the artist. "Sweet Home Chicago," "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom," "They're Red Hot," and "Malted Milk" are all present (and all covered by a multitude of artists -- the Blues Brothers, Elmore James, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Eric Clapton, respectively). As is generally the practice with Robert Johnson albums, a painting stands in for the cover (there are only two known photographs of the artist in the first place, and every other album released uses one of them). The music is certainly impeccable -- the self-accompanying bassline boogie was one of Johnson's greatest contributions to the blues, and it's displayed in all its beauty here. To top this, there's the beauty of his melodic work, and the interplay with his semi-gruff voice that help to make his songs memorable. He is the true legend of the blues, and anyone with even the slightest curiosity in that genre, or rock, needs to own both this album and its predecessor, or else the box set released in 1990 that covers both of them. [The disc was reissued in 2004 with one bonus track: a second take of "Ramblin' on My Mind."]~ Adam Greenberg

Contains 1 bonus track.

Personnel: Robert Johnson (acoustic guitar, slide guitar).

Liner Note Authors: John Waxman; Pete Welding.

Recording information: 1936-1937.Rolling Stone (12/2/70, p.50) - "...Johnson is just incredible: a great guitarist, a brilliant song writer, a tremendous singer...it's the highest art, the greatest beauty imaginable..."