Escaping the Delta Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues
By Elijah Wald
What did I know about Robert Johnson prior to reading the book? Like many of you, I thought of the old Cream song “Crossroads”. I was also aware of the myth of Mr. Johnson making a deal with the devil to give him his talent or something close to that. So I really knew nothing of Johnson.
This book set out to change that and in the process, it also gave me a new appreciation for the blues in general, and how they have affected rock and roll. It also attempts to put Robert Johnson in his place historically from a musical perspective.
Every time I read a biography I listen to the music that I’m going to read about. So I was thrilled to listen to the original “Crossroads Blues” by Robert Johnson. So how was it? You ask. Well, it was a little more . . . rough than I thought it might be. To be honest, it doesn’t sound like the Cream version in the slightest. It took a few listens to his songs before I began to be able to say I now enjoy Robert Johnson’s music.
So does Elijah Wald speak to the 2 things I know about Robert Johnson? Of course, that would be too big an opportunity to miss.
“ Afterthought: So what about the devil?” is a chapter devoted to that very thing. It seems that in the late 1930s someone did a study on this idea of going to the crossroads to meet the devil. It was fun to learn that not only was there a motley mob of guitarists and violinists looking for late-night help but there was one lonely accordion player in the mix too. I’m not certain that the accordion player wasn’t a very young Lawrence Welk who quietly crept into the Delta one sullen night.
But did Robert Johnson go and make a deal with the devil? It’s always fun to have wild fantasies about the occult. Ghost stories and the like have always been popular so why not tales of the devil and musicians?
Out of the blue Wald relates a little tidbit of a tale about jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton. While I have certainly heard the name I knew nothing else about him, until now. Thanks to Mr. Wald I now know that Jelly Roll Morton, jazz pianist of great renown, made most of his money gambling and as a pimp. Yup, the great Jelly Roll Morton was a pimp who would sell women. I don’t know if that’s true or not but did we really need to know?
There was some interesting information about so-called Race records. Black music. Music by black musicians for a primarily black audience. It is largely here where the blues developed, more or less.
British blues players of the 60s began to worship the playing of people like Robert Johnson. Many songs from early black blues artists were recorded by an energetic crew of young guitar players. Not the least of these players was Eric Clapton. The same Eric Clapton who recorded “Crossroads” with Cream.
I enjoyed reading about the history of blues music. It was also interesting to note that, according to the author, Robert Johnson wasn’t as important to the development of the blues as many others might suggest.
If you have any interest in the blues and Robert Johnson then read this book. Otherwise it’s not for you.
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