Robert Johnson - The Complete Recordings - Centennial Collection

"Robert Johnson was like an orchestra all by himself. Some of his best stuff is almost Bach-like in construction ... a brilliant burst of inspiraton." — Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards

May 8, 2011, marked the 100th birthday of Mississippi Delta bluesman Robert Johnson, who, according to legend, sold his soul down at the crossroads of Highway 61 and Highway 49 in a midnight bargain that has haunted the music world for three-quarters of a century. The ‘deal' brought forth Johnson's incandescent guitar technique and a run of 10-inch 78 RPM singles for the Vocalion, Oriole, Conqueror and Perfect labels recorded in San Antonio in 1936 and Dallas in 1937. Those songs have become a cornerstone of Columbia Records' identity, and they're celebrated on commemorative Centennial releases from Columbia/Legacy.

Over the years, Johnson's influence has resounded in the music of Muddy Waters ("32-20 Blues"), Elmore James ("I Believe I'll Dust My Broom"), Junior Parker ("Sweet Home Chicago"), John Hammond Jr. ("Milk Cow's Calf Blues"), the Rolling Stones ("Love In Vain," "Stop Breakin' Down Blues"), John Mayall ("Ramblin' On My Mind"), Cream ("From Four Until Late"), Eric Clapton ("Cross Road Blues"), Johnny Winter ("When You Got a Good Friend"), and others. It is by far the most empowering body of work in American history to emerge from one solitary blues figure.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Robert Johnson's birth, Columbia/Legacy pays homage to his spirit with stand-alone vinyl, CD and DVD components, including this updated two-CD set of the Grammy winning The Complete Recordings. All 42 known recordings of Johnson's music are here, exquisitely remastered.

 

1. Kind Hearted Woman Blues

2. I Believe I'll Dust My Broom

3. Sweet Home Chicago

4. Ramblin' On My Mind

5. When You Got A Good Friend

6. Come On In My Kitchen

7. Terraplane Blues

8. Phonograph Blues

9. 32-20 Blues

10. They're Red Hot

11. Dead Shrimp Blues

12. Cross Road Blues

13. Walkin' Blues

14. Last Fair Deal Gone Down

15. Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped The Devil)

16. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day

17. Kind Hearted Woman Blues

18. Ramblin' On My Mind

19. When You Got A Good Friend

20. Come On In My Kitchen

21. Phonograph Blues

22. Cross Road Blues

23. Stones In My Passway

24. Steady Rollin' Man

25. From Four Until Late

26. Hell Hound On My Trail

27. Little Queen Of Spades

28. Malted Milk

29. Drunken Hearted Man

30. Me And The Devil Blues

31. Stop Breakin' Down Blues

32. Traveling Riverside Blues

33. Honeymoon Blues

34. Love In Vain Blues

35. Milkcow's Calf Blues

36. Little Queen Of Spades

37. Drunken Hearted Man

38. Me And The Devil Blues

39. Stop Breakin' Down Blues

40. Traveling Riverside Blues

41. Love In Vain Blues

42. Milkcow's Calf Blues

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