Blind Willie Johnson - Dark Was the Night

Artist:

Johnson, Blind Willie

UPC:

886972383927

See Also:

Estes, Sleepy John Hurt, Mississippi John

Description:

Personnel: Blind Willie Johnson (vocals, acoustic guitar); Willie B. Harris (vocals). Includes liner notes by Jas Obrecht. Digitally remastered by David Mitson (1998, Sony Music Studios, Los Angeles, California). This is part of Legacy`s Mojo Workin` series. Even in the blues, a style capable of wrenching unexplainable emotions from its audience, Blind Willie Johnson has few equals. With a voice capable of alternating effortlessly between sublime, trembling tenor and the sound of pure gravel, and unparalleled skill with the bottleneck (and knife), Johnson recorded 30 sides for Columbia (1927-1930) that stand as a high-water mark for both country blues and raw gospel. Given the fact that his entire output has been issued by both Yazoo and Columbia, it`s difficult to imagine opting for this single disc. Anyone looking for more material will be forced to purchase sets with redundant selections. Still, if you are only seeking one collection, you cannot go wrong with Dark Was the Night. Included are both "God Moves on the Water" and "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground," which are both utterly necessary, along with the classics "Praise God I`m Satisfied," "Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed," "John the Revelator," and 11 others. "God Moves" is a slide masterpiece in which Johnson`s guitar interjections and responses become as captivating as his voice and a tale of the Titanic sinking at the will of God. "Dark Was the Night" is an otherworldly performance of gorgeously spun slide lines and Johnson`s wordless moaning, aimed straight at the heart. Everything else on hand is nothing less than emotionally rich, consummately executed and spiritually charged blues at its very best. ~ Nathan Bush

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. If I Had My Way I`d Tear the Building Down
2. Dark Was the Night
3. Lord I Just Can`t Keep From Cryin`
4. Church, I`m Fully Saved Today
5. Jesus Make up My Dying Bed
6. Bye and Bye I`m Goin` to See the King
7. Let Your Light Shine on Me
8. John the Revelator
9. I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole
10. God Moves on the Water
11. Trouble Will Soon Be Over
12. Praise God, I`m Satisfied
13. Mother`s Children Have a Hard Time
14. It`s Nobody`s Fault But Mine
15. Soul of a Man, The
16. Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning

Album Information

Type:

Performer

Genre:

Blues

Subgenre:

Texas/W. Coast Blues

Label:

Columbia (USA)

Producer:

Lawrence Cohn (Compilation)

Catalog Number:

65516

Original Release Year:

1998

# of Discs:

1

Studio/Live:

Studio

Mono/Stereo:

Mixed

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