Blind Willie Johnson was a guitar evangelist who sang and recorded his music in the early part of the twentieth century.His music is still much appreciated today,in it's own right and on Film and TV Soundtracks etc.
A powerful,charismatic singer and one of the greatest ever slide guitarists who influenced all the top blues,gospel,rock and country guitarists who heard his playing.
The Man...All of his known biographical details are presented here.
The Words...All of his recorded songs, fully explained and deciphered for the first time here.
It's like the Blind Willie Johnson Rosetta Stone!
The Music...All his guitar playing from his thirty recordings examined here.
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By douglas blakey
Oct 15, 2009
"Review from Alan." Sorry that I didn't get back to you before but I was away over the Easter period and I wanted to have a good look at the book before getting back to you. I'm extremely pleased with it and I congratulate you. A labour of love I suspect. If I can be critical, it's a pity about the line breaks, for example, at the bottom of pages 4 and 5 among others, as well as the irregular spacing between paragraphs. These however are cosmetic and don't detract from the value of the book. If you'd like me to give detailed comments, although I'm no expert, I'd be happy to do so. My favourite biography is Nolan Porterfield's Jimmie Rodgers, so by way of answering your question, I'll keep yours next to that. Regards Alan
"Blind Willie Johnson..the Biography" Blind Willie is one of the most obscure of all pre-war blues/folk artists. Over generations, many blues scholars have traveled the deep south in hopes to regain some lost information, but alas very little information was to be found. Besides a few articles in Guitar and Blues afficiando magazines and books, it didnt seem like Blind Willie would get a book of his own. A bulk of the book is word-by-word notation of the lyrics, accompanied by a forward and subtle analyzation of each song's lyrical origins and the tunings used on the guitar. As there is only one known photograph of BWJ, you will find it scanned over and over again throughout the book. There are some flaws with the layout of the book, but overall very admirable that someone took this work on, and it makes a great companion while listening to the music. Thanks
