Robert Johnson

[Lowbacca]

I noticed we didn't have a thread for legendary bluesman Robert Johnson (*1911, †1938) yet.. The occasion for opening one is the following:

http://m.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/music/article/New-photo-of-bluesman-Robert-Johnson-unearthed-6703035.php

A new image of Johnson might have been discovered. So far there have only been two authentic photographs of him.




Any fans of the "Crossroad Blues" (and the rest of the recorded Johnson catalogue) here? What do you think about the 'new' photo? Is it him? I'm not sure it looks like him, to be honest. It's up to the analysts and fanatics now..

[bluesno1fann]

Johnson and his catalogue are utterly legendary. Always welcome a new photo unearthing; not exactly something that happens every day.

[Lowbacca]

As far as favourite RJ tracks go..

• I'm a Steady Rollin' Man
• Crossroad Blues
• Sweet Home Chicago
• Terraplane Blues
• Love in Vain
• Kindhearted Woman Blues

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Love RoJo. To add to your list Lowbacca, I would include Rambling on my Mind as a favourite.

[Rocker]

Yeah, I'd read about the new picture on his Facebook-site yesterday. A couple of years there was another one of him, but that probably wasn't him.

[Aum Bop Diddit]

Mrs. Robert Johnson does not look happy.

[Rocker]

This is the other picture that recently (2011 iirc) came to light. Some people claim it's Johnson but others are very doubtful about it.

[JK]

I remember when one of the box sets was issued (in the 1990s) the record company got phonecalls from reviewers asking if Mr Johnson was available for interviews.  

[Andrew G. Doe]

Person who "authenticated" this photo also did the same for the 2008 image, which is widely agreed not to be Johnson.

[Andrew G. Doe]

This is the other picture that recently (2011 iirc) came to light. Some people claim it's Johnson but others are very doubtful about it.

Note, the guy on the right has his wristwatch on his right wrist, indicating that the image has been reversed... which would make "Robert"left-handed. which he wasn't. There don't appear to be any strings on his guitar, either.

[Emily]

I'd be curious to see the evidence for identifying the other 3 in the picture. If that evidence is strong, I'd think it would be good support for this being RJ, as it does look quite a bit like him. The ears seem a bit big and don't seem to stick out as much and the eyes seem more symmetrical; and while this guy also seems to have a cloudy eye, it appears to be the wrong one. But it would be unlikely for someone who looks so much alike to be photographed with people of his circle. Unless it's a family member, I suppose. He had many half-siblings.

[Rocker]

This is the other picture that recently (2011 iirc) came to light. Some people claim it's Johnson but others are very doubtful about it.

Note, the guy on the right has his wristwatch on his right wrist, indicating that the image has been reversed... which would make "Robert"left-handed. which he wasn't. There don't appear to be any strings on his guitar, either.

That is one of the arguments that people who don't agree with this being Robert Johnson mention. Apart from that, imo this picture just doesn't look anything like Johnson as we know him from the two authentic pictures.


Anyway, here's some more about the "new" one:

http://www.udiscovermusic.com/is-this-the-face-of-robert-johnson




And a video of Robert Lockwood playing a song allegedly written but not recorded by Johnson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0JMmr00G3Q

[Lowbacca]

[...]

And a video of Robert Lockwood playing a song allegedly written but not recorded by Johnson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0JMmr00G3Q

Thanks for that, Rocker!!

[Rocker]

[...]

And a video of Robert Lockwood playing a song allegedly written but not recorded by Johnson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0JMmr00G3Q

Thanks for that, Rocker!!

Did you hear the two Robert Johnson albums by Eric Clapton? They are really, really good. "Me and Mr. Johnson" and "Sessions for Robert J.", the latter comes with a DVD

[Lowbacca]

[...]

And a video of Robert Lockwood playing a song allegedly written but not recorded by Johnson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0JMmr00G3Q

Thanks for that, Rocker!!

Did you hear the two Robert Johnson albums by Eric Clapton? They are really, really good. "Me and Mr. Johnson" and "Sessions for Robert J.", the latter comes with a DVD

I believe I once had the first one but never heard of the second. Will check it out, thanks!

[Rocker]

Another Robert Johnson Photo Debunked

By Frank Matheis and Dr. Bruce Conforth

It seems like they want to make any black guy in a hat out to be Robert Johnson!


http://www.thecountryblues.com/op-ed/another-robert-johnson-photo-debunked/

[Emily]

Another Robert Johnson Photo Debunked

By Frank Matheis and Dr. Bruce Conforth

It seems like they want to make any black guy in a hat out to be Robert Johnson!


http://www.thecountryblues.com/op-ed/another-robert-johnson-photo-debunked/

Interesting, thanks. So all 4 subjects were identified based on a sketchy Lockwood similarity.
Elijah Wald, noted author and musician, simply said, “The attempt to associate random photos of black men with the only black man some people seem to care about is horseshit, and depressing horseshit at that,” perhaps the most blunt and truthful assessment.

[Lowbacca]

Another Robert Johnson Photo Debunked

By Frank Matheis and Dr. Bruce Conforth

It seems like they want to make any black guy in a hat out to be Robert Johnson!


http://www.thecountryblues.com/op-ed/another-robert-johnson-photo-debunked/

Great write-up, thanks for that!

[Rocker]

Formal Response of the Robert Johnson Estate to the ‘Report’ Regarding the Legitimacy of the Third Photograph

http://www.robertjohnsonbluesfoundation.org/news/formal-response-of-the-robert-johnson-estate-to-the-report-regarding-the-legitimacy-of-the-third-photograph/

[Rocker]

ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads


https://www.netflix.com/de/title/80191049?trkid=0&fbclid=IwAR3rSNrsrW3cohb7aLg8VjAJnGomTdlzGNLeH5okcsJVUn-TFWso63gC9W4&s=i



Netflix Animates Robert Johnson’s Sinister Origin Story in New Doc Trailer
‘ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads’ examines legendary blues guitarist’s mysterious life and death

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/remastered-devil-at-the-crossroads-netflix-robert-johnson-trailer-823078/

[JK]

ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads

https://www.netflix.com/de/title/80191049?trkid=0&fbclid=IwAR3rSNrsrW3cohb7aLg8VjAJnGomTdlzGNLeH5okcsJVUn-TFWso63gC9W4&s=i

Netflix Animates Robert Johnson’s Sinister Origin Story in New Doc Trailer
‘ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads’ examines legendary blues guitarist’s mysterious life and death

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/remastered-devil-at-the-crossroads-netflix-robert-johnson-trailer-823078/

Wow--cool trailer there, Rocker. Thanks for the heads up.

[Rocker]

ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads

https://www.netflix.com/de/title/80191049?trkid=0&fbclid=IwAR3rSNrsrW3cohb7aLg8VjAJnGomTdlzGNLeH5okcsJVUn-TFWso63gC9W4&s=i

Netflix Animates Robert Johnson’s Sinister Origin Story in New Doc Trailer
‘ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads’ examines legendary blues guitarist’s mysterious life and death

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/remastered-devil-at-the-crossroads-netflix-robert-johnson-trailer-823078/

Wow--cool trailer there, Rocker. Thanks for the heads up.

You're welcome. If I understand it correctly, it already aired on the 26th. So maybe you can view it on netflix now.

[SBonilla]

Yea, but BOLDEN. He's responsible for way more than Robert Johnson. That's the movie! I hope it's good, cuz I don't watch movies, but I'm gonna watch that one.

[pixletwin]

Yea, but BOLDEN. He's responsible for way more than Robert Johnson. That's the movie! I hope it's good, cuz I don't watch movies, but I'm gonna watch that one.

ditto this sentiment. 

[NOLA BB Fan]

Yes, Devil at the Crossroads is on Netflix now.
Also I too hope the Bolden movie does him justice .