Robert Johnson: The King of the Delta Blues

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  • Опубліковано 13 січ 2025

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  • @MarySpender
    @MarySpender  Рік тому +30

    First 1000 people to sign up using this link get 50% off...
    ▶ ONLY $25 - The Guitar Philosophy Guide bit.ly/3K1b1ND

    • @johnupperton3211
      @johnupperton3211 Рік тому +2

      Mary, you just might be music's answer to Nigella. Alluring with a hint of sauce in every line. Oh, and multi talented to boot. almost forgot that bit.

    • @jimmyking6081
      @jimmyking6081 Рік тому

      Very interesting new quotes and descriptions about him that I have never heard before, especially from Bob Dylan himself! Altho those recommendations you mentioned at the end don't do any justice to who the man truly was as a person. And that's why I highly recommend reading or even promoting the new book "My Brother Robert: Growing Up with Robert Johnson" by his last remaning step-sister, Annye C. Anderson. Came out in 2020. It's an incredible story and insight into how he was actually born and who he was, through the eyes of his little step-sister. Grounding him in reality and cutting through almost all the myths and legend, whilst still mainting his mysterious aura at the same time. But giving him nuance, pathos and details into his interests, life and who Robert was as a man. What the perceptions of how the people/conservative, mixed ancient cultures viewed him and his music, versus how the family, friends and people who knew him best saw him
      As well as the horrifyingly tragic, yet amazingly, incredibly bittersweet story of his biological father's escape from evil, racist white gang members. Which if it never happened, Robert Johnson would have never been born at all. A story that not even Hollywood or the Devil Himself, could ever come up with. But that being said, it is also exactly why there is a music biopic being made about him called "Love in Vain" (My favourite and best song of his). Coming in the near future that will hopefully honour and yet demystify the ethos around who he was as entity, and who he was as a person, and the impact he has made on this world. Through history, culture, his musical disciples/giants and descendants, as well as music as a whole

    • @illa-noisemusic1081
      @illa-noisemusic1081 Рік тому

      Am I the only one who watches MS and can only think of BDSM and the things I would let her do? Just me?

    • @QUESTFORCERTAINTY1
      @QUESTFORCERTAINTY1 Рік тому +2

      Your not even America. Trying ti tell his story...

    • @jimmyking6081
      @jimmyking6081 Рік тому +2

      @@QUESTFORCERTAINTY1 She and everyone else is not only appreciating his story, but his life. You don't need to be american, or any other race, creed, nationality or religion to understand and love music. Or art or anything human beings create, express or love. The very fact that you, an american, criticising a british person from loving american music/culture and his story, is completely missing the fact of how Robert Johnson, (along with the rest of black blues/soul/R&B/Jazz players, etc) as well his kind of music, inspired British people/musicians to help bring their type of music back to 20th Century Racist America. British and American people, especially musicians have one of the most intimate, interwined relationships in history, for better or worse
      In a time and place in the 1930s Great Depression, where someone with the skin colour of Robert was segregated and ignored by white americans. His own people that were "Americans", the same national citizens that almost killed his biological father which would have prevented his very birth/existence. Forcing his father to run away, leaving his own family behind and remarry, birthing Robert Johnson. Along with great risk that his music would be discarded and predjudicely considered "Devil's Music", from both white and black communities. How perfectly ironic an "american" can't understand or properly appreciate his own national history, on a human level
      From someone who is also from an entirely different country. Let alone tolerate them. Haven't you considered for a moment, that Mary maybe even be descended from the same ancestors that were inspired by Robert Johnson? That was one of the people at the top of the musical ancestry tree that inspired your Rock n Roll? Americans and British alike. Why are you ruining your own opportunity to take a compliment? We should all be celebrating this music together, not shaming anyone else for liking someone else's creation. Everyone likes what we like, this is why we are ruining our own progress at unity. Talk about misplaced pride, (P.S. I am from neither of these countries, so really says a lot about you)

  • @matthewpocock4824
    @matthewpocock4824 Рік тому +60

    I discovered Mr. Johnson in 1988 when I was a 15 year old trying to learn how to play guitar. And not just nursery rhymes and finger exercises - this white boy in Australia was diggin' the blues. It was like nothing I'd ever heard before. I'll be 50 this year (2023), and I still have The Complete Robert Johnson Recordings compact disc set that I bought back then. Something even more special is that I still have that old guitar. Yes, the first guitar I ever bought is still with me - a beat up no name acoustic. The difference between me back then and now is that I can play some of Mr Johnsons songs. By that, I mean I can put my fingers around the chords, thumb the bass line, work my slide. Going through the motions and fooling myself into thinking I'm a blues man. Now, I don't believe in ghosts, spirits, or the supernatural, but very occasionally, when I play late at night and the world outside is silent, there may come just a lick, just a few seconds of a song I've played a hundred times or more that sounds like nothing I've ever done before. And if I chase that feeling, if I try to make it happen consciously, I only get further away from it. You don't play the blues, people, you FEEL the blues. Peace and love to you around the world ✌️❤️☮️🌏🌈🎶

  • @JoshTurnerGuitar
    @JoshTurnerGuitar Рік тому +10

    Have you ever heard his recordings showed down? Personally I’m convinced that most of not all of his recordings were sped up as a production choice, which was concealed because it made him sound more ghostly. If you hear one of his tunes in Bb slowed down to where it’s in G it’s like “oh. That’s how a real person sounds.” And who plays in open Bb???

    • @jonw12
      @jonw12 Рік тому

      Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man. There are some good articles about it and I have the opposite opinion. Fun reading material though

  • @robertashton8069
    @robertashton8069 Рік тому +180

    This story has been covered by so many people; yet never with such heartfelt passion and detail. Kudos, Mary! Thanks for all you do.

    • @AcidicDelusion
      @AcidicDelusion Рік тому +3

      Tenacious D?

    • @CJ16055
      @CJ16055 Рік тому +5

      I love her speaking voice, I am British and from Bristol, wish I had bumped into her. Queens English, no accent is interesting to me

    • @cozmowiz5593
      @cozmowiz5593 Рік тому +1

      Funny thing is, it was never true. White people view black men as magical negros....RJ is one of the more talked about ones.

    • @nghtwtchmn129
      @nghtwtchmn129 Рік тому

      Robert Johnson was the focus of Supernatural episode 2.8 "Crossroads Blues" and the Timeless episode 2.6 "The King of the Delta Blues."

    • @cozmowiz5593
      @cozmowiz5593 Рік тому

      @@nghtwtchmn129 As well with many more.

  • @tonymurray814
    @tonymurray814 Рік тому +72

    Another gem Mary. You surpassed yourself yet again. You are required listening now. There’s no going back.

  • @AndyH2O
    @AndyH2O Рік тому +123

    Me and a mate went to see Dave 'Honeyboy' Edwards when he toured the UK in the 1990s, he was a contemporary of Robert Johnson and a friend of his. He told a number of stories about Robert Johnson and he said he was there in the bar the night that Johnson was poisoned. We hung around and had a chat with Honeyboy afterwards, he was very happy to talk, and he himself was a real character and a brilliant, authentic Delta blues musician.

    • @Murdo2112
      @Murdo2112 Рік тому +13

      I saw Honeyboy Edwards in the '90s too.
      I feel priveleged to have had the chance to hear someone who was "the real deal", towards the end of the window of opportunity.
      I'm pretty sure all those early bluesmen must be dead by now.
      He sat in the bar for hours afterwards, more than happy to regail everyone with stories of that unique period in the foundation of modern music.

    • @TDubb33
      @TDubb33 Рік тому +8

      I was fortunate enough to meat Honey Boy as well! He was awesome!!!

    • @jessiecoghlan7010
      @jessiecoghlan7010 Рік тому +3

      What an experience! Lucky you 🤟

    • @jamesgretsch4894
      @jamesgretsch4894 Рік тому +4

      I also saw him play in Anaheim, CA shortly before his passing. Now that was history being seen live.

    • @AndyH2O
      @AndyH2O Рік тому +2

      @@jamesgretsch4894 This was in Sheffield, England upstairs at The Lescar pub. He would have been in his prime, in his early eighties 🙂History indeed.

  • @KenIn_NH
    @KenIn_NH Рік тому +66

    Bloody marvelous Mary. Short, fact filled and superbly organized on a wonderful subject. To all the budding guitar slingers out there, do your time researching your hero's influences. It's one of the greatest gifts you can experience in this craft. Enjoy your homework! 😃

  • @bbhdd6181
    @bbhdd6181 Рік тому +20

    I love these artist biographies that you’re doing! You’re introducing me to a lot of new people.

  • @MirosawFijakowski100955
    @MirosawFijakowski100955 Рік тому +1

    Dziękuję. Thanks, Mary.

  • @magic_hotel
    @magic_hotel Рік тому +15

    Thanks for the storytelling. It certainly comes across that you enjoy making these videos. We love watching them.

  • @kevinmccarthy4088
    @kevinmccarthy4088 Рік тому +2

    About 30 or so years ago a friend of a friend was over to a house I shared with roommates. He was a Black man in his late fifties who had grown up in NC raised by sharecropper parents and had fully lived the experience of one in that time and place. We were talking about music and it became apparent he was completely unfamiliar with Johnson so we played him a few cuts. I've never seen music have such an effect on someone so deeply and immediately in my life. I think it may have changed him for life. Astounding to witness but it obviously meant something to him I will never quite be able to comprehend.

  • @rickhanson3293
    @rickhanson3293 Рік тому +3

    I love the history you presented and yeah, I was floored by Dylan's quote as well.

  • @DougJessee
    @DougJessee Рік тому +2

    The podcast from the Delta Blues Museum is awesome and I would highly recommend if you want more info about blues musicians.

  • @gavmc
    @gavmc Рік тому +10

    I first heard of Robert Johnson about 25 years ago, and went though a huge blues phase because of him, obviously still love that whole genre, but I haven't heard anything about him for ages, so it was refreshing to watch this, you did a great job of telling his story!

  • @PatrioticGestalt
    @PatrioticGestalt Рік тому +1

    Thanks!

  • @johnbrooks1269
    @johnbrooks1269 Рік тому +3

    Visual Composition Master Mary, a feast for the eyes, a banquet for the soul. Cheers and thank you.

  • @ClayTallStories
    @ClayTallStories Рік тому +2

    You did such a classy job of this video Mary. A new subscriber here down under in New Zealand. As a UA-camr myself I fully understand just how much work you put into this. Thank you. Clay

  • @michaelaiello9525
    @michaelaiello9525 Рік тому +9

    Such a well done video. The music and guitar and voice are the driving heartbeats behind all you do, yet your gift for this YT medium itself is really exceptional.

  • @MrPlayerPerson
    @MrPlayerPerson Рік тому +2

    This video is the best biographical video you have done for your You Tube Channel so far. Truly Outstanding!!!! A great history of a ground breaking artist and performer. Bravo!

  • @dougsrepair1060
    @dougsrepair1060 Рік тому +20

    What a great presentation of blues history. Not just the subject but the editing process are amazing. You Mary are a great artist and presenter. How could a viewer not get to the end of these videos. Thank you.

  • @georgebrown2004
    @georgebrown2004 5 місяців тому

    Most people don't try to tackle the Delta Blues. Absolutely love/respect you for your talent and your eclectic love/respect for musicians and musical history. :)

  • @djolestefanovic
    @djolestefanovic Рік тому +6

    Thanks Mary, for the huge effort you put into this. This should be played in the schools to the kids, to understand relations between life, music and effort and joy, better.

  • @phila3884
    @phila3884 Рік тому +1

    Bought the Robert Johnson Box Set in 1990. Still trying to wrap my mind around his music.

  • @samsantanamusic
    @samsantanamusic Рік тому +8

    These historic videos are so well made and so much more important than people realise. People need to know about this stuff. Thank you, Mary!

  • @anthonypawnee611
    @anthonypawnee611 Рік тому +1

    Learning the style of blues Robert played was a pain in the ass but it is crazy how much it helped me to play any other type of music as well.

  • @jamesgarrard4361
    @jamesgarrard4361 Рік тому +3

    Johnson always gives me a shiver
    When I hear him play ,like rye cooder does on Paris texas
    Something more than music almost like a tap direct into you soul
    No words exist that can quantify the feel and expression

  • @yuungmung
    @yuungmung Рік тому

    One of my favorite music channels. Casually releasing banger after banger

  • @macalsto
    @macalsto Рік тому +4

    Brilliant! And as a non-native English speaker, it is a delight to listen to you. Great content delivered perfectly well in all aspects. Thank you.

  • @CraigHollabaugh
    @CraigHollabaugh Рік тому +1

    A mandatory view for anyone who loves blues or rock. Thanks Mary, excellent work here.

  • @christophercoates2120
    @christophercoates2120 Рік тому +3

    I fell in love with Robert Johnson’s when I was a teenager. He gave me such a deep appreciation for the blues. Thank you for keeping his amazing story going!

  • @BookManiac1965
    @BookManiac1965 Рік тому +1

    Always a treat to have a new Mary Spender upload.

  • @vandergod
    @vandergod Рік тому +16

    Thank you Mary. I’ve always been a fan of the blues. And Robert Johnson, real and myth, is always a treat to study.

  • @nickofthenorth
    @nickofthenorth 22 дні тому

    Robert J’s story was inspiring to me because he demonstrated that w hard work and dedication, but an absence of raw talent, anyone can get good. Really good. So good that people think it would not have been possible without striking a deal w a certain someone. I’m in year 2 of my intensive guitar journey, playing every waking moment. Haven’t emerged yet but I intend to. Goal however is not to be “better” than the best, which is impossible and not important. I wonder if Johnson’s goal was to be the best. I suspect his goal was just to not be booed offstage.

  • @BASS_the_3rd
    @BASS_the_3rd Рік тому +72

    Mary is one of the best creators on UA-cam, her skill set, story telling and humor constantly shine through. I first heard Robert Johnson's music some 30 years ago when I was in high school. I've probably listened to King of the Delta Blues 100's of times. It is the very definition of timeless classics. Thank you, Mary. R.I.P Robert.

  • @TheStuport
    @TheStuport Рік тому +1

    Great talk Mary and much appreciated on a Glorious Palm Sunday! As a 20year old playing in two different garage bands, I'd have probably taken "The Offer"....as a much older Adult youngster STILL ROCKIN, I'd smile back to the stranger and politely say "No Thank you Sir, I'll Rock My Way and then I'll walk away Strutting and Strumming and Smiling! Cheers From Across The Pond In Ohio

  • @bearbait49
    @bearbait49 Рік тому +7

    Thank you for what you are doing. I love how you have translated finding your purpose into something so wonderful that we can all experience it with you. Well done.

  • @twobrownmutts
    @twobrownmutts Рік тому +7

    This was an absolutely amazing story, thanks! Love your passion for musical history

  • @estenray6685
    @estenray6685 Рік тому +6

    Well I certainly hope you enjoyed making this video as Much as I did watching it! Simply excellent biographic and documentary work Mary! You really are a natural at this work! As professionally done as any I’ve ever seen! Bravo 🙌👏👍🙏❤️💕🎸🤗✌️👋

  • @johne9341
    @johne9341 Рік тому +6

    Thank you Mary. I’ve always been a fan of the blues. Robert Johnson, real and myth, is a piece of history everyone who enjoys the blues should hear. Great video and thanks for the Netflix film and biography tips.

  • @joshuadawson3759
    @joshuadawson3759 Рік тому +1

    Good job. I am from his hometown and have been a fan for most of my life. This is one of the best biographies I’ve seen.

  • @thomaslowry7079
    @thomaslowry7079 Рік тому +4

    This video is a masterpiece! I love Johnson 's music and I have read everything I could find about him but nothing I have found compares to this video. Thank you Mary!

  • @evibin3476
    @evibin3476 Рік тому +1

    You have a lovely voice young lady. Keep up the good work. ❤

  • @LymanGreen
    @LymanGreen Рік тому +3

    Mary, love this vid! You could talk about the blues and I would watch hours! Son House, Bukka White… so many awesome players and would love to hear you try some blues.

  • @JRaymond-v8i
    @JRaymond-v8i Рік тому

    Really good video again.
    Really great true story telling and so engaging. I'm especially thrilled you covered Honeyboy Edwards. I had the off by chance years ago to get a ticket to see an intimate performance of 200 people at a small theatre called the Phoenix arts centre in Leicester UK the tickets were really cheap in hindsight. When he'd finished his set including encores he went off stage and when the theatre had almost emptied , the stragglers including myself saw him shuffle back on and sit down. He invited us, (about 15) to come on stage and sit down on the floor and he gave a Q&A session showing us is his Gibson guitar and regaling us with his memoirs. It lasted about half an hour whether it was impromptu or planned I'll never know but all the money in the world could never have bought such an experience.
    We all left that night, very happy bunnies indeed. What a gracious polite gentle man.

  • @swordmonkey6635
    @swordmonkey6635 Рік тому +10

    The 80s movie "Crossroads" paid strong homage to Robert Johnson's legendary meeting with the Devil.

    • @swordmonkey6635
      @swordmonkey6635 Рік тому +2

      @@johnonekenobi3600 Stevie Vai was the guitarist for the Devil. It was right as Steve was joining David Lee Roth's solo group. Steve put on a clinic in that last duel.

  • @donpark8316
    @donpark8316 Рік тому +2

    Great video. I've always been fascinated by Robert Johnson, his music and the legend. So much so that I stayed a night in the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio where he recorded some of his music. Kinda crazy since I actually live in San Antonio only a few miles from the hotel.😁

  • @Traveler13
    @Traveler13 Рік тому +3

    Loved this one, been a fan of Robert Johnson since I first heard him in the 80s

  • @rayhug60
    @rayhug60 Рік тому +1

    Mary, bought my first authentic blues album in September ‘63. Lightning Hopkins side A and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee side B. Still got it, still play it along with the rest of my collection, Robert Johnson included. Luckily i was able to see a lot of the people i had records of from early ‘60’s through to early 80’s when those survivors mainly stopped touring or had passed. I still feel so lucky to have seen so many legends

  • @stephenrussell6074
    @stephenrussell6074 Рік тому +4

    Hi Mary
    I remember watching series on rock or country where there was a trail through history tracking the evolution of the bands and music and linking the styles and people. I have never seen one linking country, blues, trad. folk and jazz both in the Uk and America I think you could build a fantastic series on that and maybe add in a few interviews to place folk in the public record before they are gone.

  • @TroyNaumu808
    @TroyNaumu808 Рік тому +2

    A great video. You look great as always. A lovely voice. You have a great voice for narration and documentaries. As far as your guitar playing and singing and songwriting you are no Robert Johnston, true.. You are better than that.

  • @deanallen927
    @deanallen927 Рік тому +6

    Great job. Robert Johnson never ceases to intrigue, and your telling of his story is a really good one.

    • @cozmowiz5593
      @cozmowiz5593 Рік тому

      The myth sure but the real story is very boring. White people need a myth. The black person has to be magical before you respect them. How about that

  • @missopowers
    @missopowers Рік тому +1

    Very good. I really enjoy your concise documentaries. Thank you.

  • @mrjoe5661
    @mrjoe5661 Рік тому +3

    Truly fascinating video! Thanks!
    Also, I've long been a great admirer of Rick Beato, and watch all his UA-cam videos. I was completely gob smacked when YOU popped up singing on his 2 chord songs video! (Great singing BTW!)

  • @hawtenslaton4307
    @hawtenslaton4307 Рік тому +1

    Hey Mary, thank you for sharing this!

  • @higginsj
    @higginsj Рік тому +5

    Absolutely love this format, looking forward to more!

  • @rosscoman
    @rosscoman Рік тому +1

    Loved how you treated this well-trod subject. Thanks, Mary!

  • @johncrace911
    @johncrace911 Рік тому +4

    Love your videos Mary. Thank You. I am not a Clapton fan boy, but I believe his rendition of Crossroads is a fantastic recording and a well done tribute.

  • @dogsmusicbookstravelscience
    @dogsmusicbookstravelscience Рік тому +1

    A perfect presentation, thank you very much for this, Mary. As a South African, I grew up in an environment mighty far removed from the Mississippi Delta and its sounds, yet something stirred my whole being when I became exposed to some blues recordings in my late teens. I remember reading about the Robert Johnson recordings and purchasing the Complete Recordings disks soon after. The days I've spent picking over every facet of the songs and any information I could glean from his life were days very well spent. This video revitalised those very sweet memories, and furthermore, thank you so much for helping to keep this chapter in musical history alive for the following generations.

  • @luiskapel3020
    @luiskapel3020 Рік тому +6

    Thank you for this, and for making Robert Johnson's story come to life.

  • @polskaman20001
    @polskaman20001 Рік тому +1

    Only two photos. Yet endless possibilities of his music. Amazing person.

  • @Strotophonic
    @Strotophonic Рік тому +21

    Just an excellent overview of one Extraordinary Artist. The impact Robert Johnson has had, even in rock music, it incalculable. Great Job Mary!!

  • @JerryTheVeganRockstar
    @JerryTheVeganRockstar Рік тому +1

    This video is fantastic. I’m buying your guitar course as a thank you for all your efforts over the years

  • @RecklessFables
    @RecklessFables Рік тому +3

    I don't ever know the people she discusses, but I love her storytelling so much I always listen.

  • @Pityuerez
    @Pityuerez Рік тому +1

    This was great!
    Congrats and thank you!

  • @johnymodem1326
    @johnymodem1326 Рік тому +3

    Thanks for another great video :) Love the story of the father of all that followed on the guitar, Reminds me of the best Hollywood Guitar Battle ... Crossroads :) Keep up the great work :)

  • @abchappell01
    @abchappell01 Рік тому +1

    That was so awesome. Please continue with Moore documentary like this😊

  • @itslikethesamebutdifferent8020

    I must say that I have always been more intrigued by Robert’s life than his music, to me it seemed much more interesting. Had a rough childhood, went from tragedy to tragedy, Disappeared for some time then came back better than ever etc. I never really got into his music which I listened to because the bands I liked loved him. It never did anything for me but I do understand that he was an influential musician on those guys way back then & probably that admiration has fueled the myth behind Johnson’s work. Great doc Mary, keep ‘em coming.

    • @dogsmusicbookstravelscience
      @dogsmusicbookstravelscience Рік тому +1

      I can understand that. Music scholars and great musicians alike pick up all sorts of things (scales, technique, tuning, chords etc) in the songs that mere organic listeners like myself pay scant attention to. Well, whenever I hear his recordings I cannot help but drop everything and just immerse myself in it - even cover versions - but the sound is so unusual that it cannot be digested easily. I really wish that today's recording technology was available at his time; I often wonder exactly what it would have sounded like, if the flat tinniness was replaced by the acoustic fullness of superior recordings. Mind you, that goes for a lot of music recorded prior to and during the 1930s! I'm sure it would have blown us away.

  • @SS-qo4xe
    @SS-qo4xe Рік тому +2

    Excellent piece. A very good introduction to youngsters of this generation yet to discover him and some of the music from The Delta.

  • @lavatar3562
    @lavatar3562 Рік тому +4

    I went to the corner of Highway 61 and 49 only to find that most people there hadn’t even heard of Robert Johnson let alone his music. I believe he died a slow and painful death from poisoned whiskey. He is the original member of the 27 club. Love your version of Crossroads.

  • @Wachtel-Haltung
    @Wachtel-Haltung Рік тому

    Danke!

  • @arnelarsen4379
    @arnelarsen4379 Рік тому +7

    Mary Spender - in my opinion - doing all the things right these days. Looking forward to your album!

  • @gregherringer7700
    @gregherringer7700 Рік тому +2

    Thanks for this great overview! Keep making more content like this!!

  • @DarrellW_UK
    @DarrellW_UK Рік тому +47

    Absolute legend, without him the blues wouldn’t be what it became!
    RIP RJ! 😢

  • @Aarrmehearties
    @Aarrmehearties 7 місяців тому

    My favourite ever blues song is Kind Hearted Woman Blues

  • @FlatlandMando
    @FlatlandMando Рік тому +22

    Might be the oldest legend in blues but the " crossroads story" also has it's much older precedent in Goethe's Dr. Faustus...thereafter known as making a "faustian bargain" with the devil. Classics is classics, right? Love Robert Johnson.

    • @hankhill3256
      @hankhill3256 Рік тому

      Paganini had the O.G. pact...but Tartini's Devils trill was popular at the time he was alive, so combined with his freakish ability and lifestyle made a legend.

    • @cozmowiz5593
      @cozmowiz5593 Рік тому

      Not even close. He is not even close to an old legend

    • @norbitcleaverhook5040
      @norbitcleaverhook5040 Рік тому

      The story of the Crossroads was actually attributed to a man named Tommy Johnson who played Delta Blues before Robert Johnson. Its likely like you said, an old folk tale retold over and over.

    • @cozmowiz5593
      @cozmowiz5593 Рік тому

      @@norbitcleaverhook5040 nope I research for a living my friend. Tommy was the subject but public opinion created the legend. The point is majic negro syndrome and a effort to make us oddities. You are confusing what I said missing the entire point. As a youth I met Corey Harris, Taj Mahal, rory block, David lindley and so many others in the basement of the library of congress as my mom was upstairs providing factual data to govt employees. When Sidwell Friends let out I was taken there and spent most of my childhood down there waiting for mom to leave for the day

    • @norbitcleaverhook5040
      @norbitcleaverhook5040 Рік тому

      @@cozmowiz5593 I wasn't even addressing you.

  • @raymondpierotti8414
    @raymondpierotti8414 Рік тому +2

    Once again, Thank you Mary. I love listening to you discuss music.

  • @swedeinla
    @swedeinla Рік тому

    I have been to The Crossroads with a battery driven Roland Micro Cube, and my telecaster:) I talked to some old locals and they pointed me in the direction of where the legend say it happens, which is a few miles outside Clarksdale. Good times.

  • @paulm749
    @paulm749 Рік тому +6

    The fact that Robert Johnson's music yet again touched the heart of a young guitarist from far-away England is a testament to his enduring talent. What he created is boundless and timeless.

  • @ohioridercinci2495
    @ohioridercinci2495 11 місяців тому

    Thank you, this brings back some very old memories

  • @Cosmonaucht
    @Cosmonaucht Рік тому +29

    He definitely didn't sell his soul but he did experience extreme loss and had nothing to lose at that point. His music came from his pain.

    • @shawnmaurice4115
      @shawnmaurice4115 Рік тому +4

      What are lyrics? Aren't they someone's experiences? People write songs on what they experience. He talks about the devil and hell hounds. And so much artis talk about selling there souls. It's more then just pain. It's a cry for help, but people ignore the big picture. People don't care, they just have the mindset thinking they do.

    • @BlindMellowJelly
      @BlindMellowJelly Рік тому

      Perhaps but that is an assumption. That story did not fit his personality or behavior patterns told to us by People who played with him. Often it helps explain or make individuals kinda understand. Thomas Dorsey was hurt deeply and left blues to create gospel with the writing of Precious Lord. Often these stories get crossed and published. Then re looked at. Mystery always trumps fact. No pun intended considering our currant global health

    • @BlindMellowJelly
      @BlindMellowJelly Рік тому

      ​. Yup I agree

    • @lawrencehuston6679
      @lawrencehuston6679 Рік тому +1

      How the beep,beep do u Kno??? U weren't there!! all u have is your opinion, just like the rest of us it's just your opinion sir

    • @BlindMellowJelly
      @BlindMellowJelly Рік тому

      @@lawrencehuston6679 Facts are out there trust me. He is just playing the white game....we know everything about everyone.....did you forget who they are?

  • @noahzark7975
    @noahzark7975 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for putting this all together. Never heard the whole story.

  • @stephenhawk8384
    @stephenhawk8384 Рік тому +6

    This is a wonderful video. Greedy as always, I want more of this. Mary, you just keep raising the bar.

  • @JeanFrancoisBrunelle
    @JeanFrancoisBrunelle Рік тому +1

    Thank you Mary Spender for, probably, the best introduction to Robert Johnson I have had the pleasure of listening to since buying my first Cream album, 54 years ago.
    Kind regards from the Great White North,
    JF

  • @umbertoyltp
    @umbertoyltp Рік тому +9

    What Eric Clapton did with Crossroads was a revolution on its own. And a tribute.

    • @brianperry
      @brianperry Рік тому

      Crossroads has been my favourite Cream song since l first heard it a very long time ago..

  • @Chris_Blackstock_Music
    @Chris_Blackstock_Music Рік тому +1

    Great video Mary, thanks!

  • @DarkSideOfThePepper
    @DarkSideOfThePepper Рік тому +1

    Robert Johnson - King Of The Delta Blues Singers was the first Blues album I bought. Great Video🎸🎸

  • @michelvondenhoff9673
    @michelvondenhoff9673 Рік тому +1

    It took some time to figure Love in Vein wasn't Jagger/Richards. On a holiday in France bought a 2cd of Robert Johnson (all that was ever recorded). Another epic blues musician is JLH. Together with Canned Heat they recorded Hooker & Heat. Boogie Chillen no.2 is my fav song of that album. Another great blues song is Black Napkins by Frank Zappa.

  • @johnbriggs3916
    @johnbriggs3916 Рік тому +1

    This was actually very good -- I think you've found the right formula for these historical talks.

  • @spacemissing
    @spacemissing Рік тому +1

    Covering a major subject to an adequate degree ordinarily takes a long-form video.
    Mary, you've done yourself proud here.

  • @michaelmilitello5644
    @michaelmilitello5644 Рік тому

    I’ve been to the crossroads in Clarksdale. The Delta is an amazing place. It’s a must see place for any blue fan. Start In Memphis and work your way down highway 61. My grandfather was born in the delta in little town called Drew.

  • @majormarshall588
    @majormarshall588 Рік тому

    One of the best documentaries Had the fortune to see John Lee Hooker in late seventies Thank you Mary

  • @ipuya
    @ipuya Рік тому +1

    I love this video! It would be so amazing if you kept this format as a series introducing legendary guitarists! OMG i would LOVE that!!

  • @alanclayton9277
    @alanclayton9277 Рік тому +2

    This was very detailed, intriguing and Robert Johnson was well served by this tribute.

  • @felipericketts
    @felipericketts Рік тому +2

    Awesome story, and well told!

  • @mikelajoie1433
    @mikelajoie1433 Рік тому +1

    Beautiful video Mary and lovely way you speak and keep up the amazing work ❤

  • @RemmingtonSteal
    @RemmingtonSteal Рік тому +1

    Man, I just (re)watched the Supernatural episode based around this 2 days ago for the first time in a while. This was awesome Mary.

  • @RonChibnik
    @RonChibnik Рік тому

    I love your music videos but your recent “music journalistic” topics are outstanding. Your voice, accent and smile perfectly complement the well written dialog, making them fascinating to watch. Thank you for doing these - I look forward to learning more from you.

  • @csnide6702
    @csnide6702 Рік тому +1

    It's a fun story & has spawned much tourism around Clarksdale . But did it really happen ...? probably not , but it's a legend that has become bigger than the Blues. I say let it carry on !
    Thanks for all the great info , Mary.... 😘💕

  • @felixfromnebraska8648
    @felixfromnebraska8648 Рік тому +1

    Mary, I love your in-depth history of the old masters. So eloquently spoken, you should be a Historian of the Blues.
    Thank you,
    Felix

  • @hawaiithomson
    @hawaiithomson Рік тому

    Good video, Mary. RJ has been a life long fascination and my mother grew up close to there. Happy to grab the link.