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Blind Willie Johnson

darkthenight

About Me

Seminal gospel-blues artist Blind Willie Johnson is regarded as one of the greatest bottleneck slide guitarists. Yet the Texas street-corner evangelist is known as much for the his powerful and fervent gruff voice as he is for his ability as a guitarist. He most often sang in a rough, bass voice (only occasionally delivering in his natural tenor) with a volume meant to be heard over the sounds of the streets. Johnson recorded a total of 30 songs during a three-year period and many of these became classics of the gospel-blues, including "Jesus Make up My Dying Bed," "God Don't Never Change," and his most famous, "Dark Was the Night -- Cold Was the Ground." It is generally agreed that Johnson was born in a small town just South of Waco near Temple, TX, around 1902. His mother died while he was still a baby, and his father eventually remarried. When Johnson was about seven years old, his father and stepmother fought and the stepmother threw lye water, apparently at the father, but the lye got in Willie Johnson's eyes, blinding him. As he got older, Johnson began earning money by playing his guitar, one of the few avenues left to a blind man to earn a living. Instead of a bottleneck, Johnson actually played slide with a pocketknife. Over the years, Johnson played guitar most often in an open D tuning, picking single-note melodies, while using his slide and strumming a bass line with his thumb. He was, however, known to play in a different tuning and without the slide on a few rare occasions. Regardless of his excellent blues technique and sound, Johnson didn't want to be a bluesman, for he was a passionate believer in the Bible. So, he began singing the gospel and interpreting Negro spirituals. He became a Baptist preacher and brought his sermons and music to the streets of the surrounding cities. While performing in Dallas, he met a woman named Angeline and the two married in 1927. Angeline added 19th century hymns to Johnson's repertoire, and the two performed around the Dallas and Waco areas. On December 3, 1927, Columbia Records brought Blind Willie Johnson into the studio where he recorded six songs that became some of his most enduring recordings: a song about Samson and Delilah called "If I Had My Way," "Mother's Children Have a Hard Time" (often understood as "motherless children"), "It's Nobody's Fault but Mine," "Jesus Make up My Dying Bed," " I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole," and Johnson's single most-acclaimed song, "Dark Was the Night -- Cold Was the Ground," which is about the crucifixion of Christ. But after this session, Johnson didn't return to the studio for an entire year. The second visit (which took place on December 5, 1928) found him accompanied by his wife, Angeline, who provided backing vocals. The two recorded four songs, including "I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge" and "Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Cryin'." Songs from these first two sessions were also issued on the Vocalion label. Several months later, Willie and Angeline Johnson met Elder Dave Ross and went with him to New Orleans where Blind Willie Johnson recorded ten songs for Columbia. From this December 1929 session came a few more of his best-known songs, including "God Don't Never Change," "Let Your Light Shine on Me," and "You'll Need Somebody on Your Bond." Although Blind Willie Johnson was one of Columbia's best-selling race recording artists, he only recorded for them one more time -- in April 1930 -- after which he never heard from them again. This final session took place in Atlanta, GA (again, Johnson was accompanied by Angeline who actually sang lead on a few numbers this time), and consisted of ten songs, including "Can't Nobody Hide From God," "John the Revelator," and the slightly altered "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond." These last two songs were issued on one record that was withdrawn shortly after its release. Despite the fact that Johnson did not record after 1930, he continued to perform on the Texas streets during the '30s and '40s. Unfortunately, in 1947, the Johnsons' home burned to the ground. He caught pneumonia shortly thereafter and died in the ashes of his former home approximately one week after it was destroyed. Purportedly, Angeline Johnson went on to work as a nurse during the 1950s. Over the years, many artists have covered the gospel songs made famous by Blind Willie Johnson, including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Ry Cooder ("Dark Was the Night" inspired Cooder's score for the movie Paris, Texas). Johnson's song "If I Had My Way" was even revived as a popular hit during the 1960s when it was covered by the contemporary folk band Peter, Paul and Mary. Several excellent collections of Blind Willie Johnson's music exist, including Dark Was the Night (on Sony) and Praise God, I'm Satisfied (on Yazoo). Johnson's music also appears on many compilations of country blues and slide guitar.

My Interests

Music:

1950 V. A.: Jazz, Vol. 2: The Blues Blind Willie Johnson - Dark Was The Night Vera Hall - Black Woman Blind Lemon Jefferson - Black Snake Moan Ma Rainey - Misery Blues King Oliver And His Creole Jazz Band - Working Man’s Blues Gertrude Perkins - No Easy Rider Blues Blind Willie Johnson - Lord I Just Can’t Keep From Crying Jimmy Yancey - How Long Blues Jelly Roll Morton - Mr Jelly Lord Nolan Welsh - Bridwell Blues Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra - Careless Love Bessie Smith - Mean Old Bed Bug Blues Louis Armstrong - I’m Not Rough Folkways FP 55 = Folkways FJ 2802 (1958) 2 1952 V. A.: Anthology Of American Folk Music, Vol. 2 - Social Music Blind Willie Johnson - John The Revelator 2 LP set ed. by Harry Smith Folkways FP-252 = Folkways FA 2952 1997 re-released as 6 CD Box Set by Smithsonian Folkways www.folkways.si.edu www.harrysmitharchives.com3 1957 Blind Willie Johnson: His Story Told, Annotated and Documented by Samuel B. Charters - Remembrances - Interviews - Angeline Johnson Blind Willie Johnson - If I Had My Way, I'd Tear That Building Down - Nobody's Fault But Mine - Jesus is Coming Soon - Mother's Children Have A Hard Time - Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground Blind Lemon Jefferson - Match Box Blues Blind Willie (?) [McTell] and partner [Curley Weaver] - It's A Good Little Thing [Vocalion 02622] Blind Boy Fuller - Little Woman You're So Sweet Folkways FG 3585 order Smithsonian Folkways custom-made CD 035854 1958 V. A.: Folk Music USA. Vol. 1 - John Henry - Virgil Perkins, Jack Sims - Grizzly Bear: Negro Prison Camp Worksong - Blowing The Train - Percy Randolph - Six Thousand Miles From Nowhere - Snooks Eaglin - Dark Was The Night - Blind Willie Johnson - Amasee: Children's Ring Game Song - Spooky Drums - Warren "Baby" Dodds - Black Jack Davy - Mary Jo Davis - Drunken Sailor: Dulcimer Medley - Ellen Smith - Pete Steele - Run, Run - Elizabeth Cotton [sic] - Mole In The Ground - Bascom Lamar Lunsford - Rolling River: Country Dance - Allons Danser Colinda: Cajun Dance - Roy Brule - Sourwood Mountain: Square Dance Tune - Hobart Smith - Diamond Joe: Cowboy Song - Cisco Houston - Siete Leguas: Corrido - Peter Hurd - Matachines Dance - Moonlight Song: Taos Indian Serenade - War Dance Song - Esta Navidad: Puerto Rican Christmas Song - Aguinaldo Cagueno: Puerto Rican Song - Rocky Road: Shape-Note Singing - Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - If We Never Meet Again - Inviting-In Dance Song DLP ed. Harold Courlander Folkways FE 4530 custom CD from www.folkways.si.edu5 1958 Treasures of North American Negro Music, Volume 2: Blind Willie Johnson - Nobodys Fault But Mine - If I Had My Way - Dark Was The Night - I'm Gonna Run Fontana TFE 17052 EP = Fontana 462.022 TE 6 1961? Treasures of North American Negro Music, Volume 16: Blind Willie Johnson - Lord I Just Can't Keep From Cryin' - Keep You Lamp Trimmed And Burning - Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It There - God Moves On The Water Fontana 467.232 TE 7 1964 V. A.: Country Blues & Gospel Willie Lofton - Dark Road Blues Blind Willie McTell - Searching The Desert For The Blues Jaybird Coleman Blind Willie Davis - Rock Of Ages The Guitar Evangelist - Death Is Only A Dream Blind Willie Johnson - Jesus Goin' To Make Up My Dyin' Bed 7 inch EP, 33 1/3 rpm Heritage H-302 Heritage discography8 1965 Blind Willie Johnson 1927-30 edited and with an introduction by Samuel Charters - Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed - God Don't Never Change - Trouble Soon Be Over - Let Your Light Shine On Me - The Rain Don't Fall On Me - I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole - I'm Going To Run To The City of Refuge - Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying - Everybody Ought To Treat A Stranger Right - Jesus Is Coming Soon - Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning - Church I'm Fully Saved Today - By And By I'm Going To See The King - Can't Nobody Hide From God RBF 10 order Smithsonian Folkways custom-made CD RBF108a 1970 V. A.: Southern Sanctified Singers Blind Willie Johnson - Go With Me To That Land Washington Phillips - A Mother's Last Word To Her Daughter Bessie Johnson - The Great Reaping Day Bozie Sturdivant (Silent Grove Baptist Church) - When I've Done The Best I Can, I Want My Crown Sam Butler - Christians Fight On, Your Time Ain't Long Rev. Edward W. Clayborn - Your Enimy Cannot Harm You (But Watch Your Best Friend) Arizona Dranes - In That Day Blind Willie Davis - When The Saints Go Marching In Henry Thomas - Jonah In The Wilderness Washington Phillips - I've Got The Key To The Kingdom Rev. J.C. Burnett - Put Your Trust In Jesus Sam Butler - Heaven Is My View Blind Joe Taggart - I'll Be Satisfied Nugrape Twins - There's A City Built On Mansions Rev. Edward W. Clayborn - The Gospel Train Is Coming Elder Otis Jones - Holy Mountain Roots RL 328 Roots discography9 1971 V. A.: Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn Cotton Top Mountain Sanctified Singers (featuring Frankie Half-Pint Jaxon and Punch Miller) - Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn - She's Coming 'Round The Mountain Blind Willie Johnson - The Soul Of A Man - Take Your Stand Blind Mamie Forehand & A.C. Forehand - Wouldn't Mind Dying If Dying Was All - Mothers Prayer - I'm So Glad Today, Today Laura Henton - He's Coming Soon Blind Willie McTell - We Got To Meet Death One Day - Ain't It Grand To Be A Christian - Lay Some Flowers On My Grave Arizona Dranes - He Is My Story - I Shall Wear A Crown Edward W. Clayborn - Jesus Will Make It Allright Rooseveldt Graves & Brother - I'll Be Rested (When The Roll Is Called) - Wake Up This Morning (With My Mind On Jesus) notes by Dick Spottswood Historical HLP-34 10 197? V. A.: Guitar Evangelists Vol. 1 1927-1936 Blind Willie Johnson - Mother's Children Have A Hard Time - If I Had My Way I'd Tear The Building Down - Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground Mother McCollum - I Want To See Him Rev. I. B. Ware You Better Quit Drinking Shine Rev. Edward W. Clayborn, The Guitar Evangelist - Death Is Only A Dream Blind Benny Paris and wife - I'm Gonna Live So God Can Use Me - Hide Me In The Blood of Jesus Blind Roger Hays - On My Way To Heaven - I Must Be Blind, I Cannot See Bessie Johnson - He Got Better Things For You Rev. Moses Mason - John the Baptist Rev. I. B. Ware - I Wouldn't Mind Dying (But I Gotta Go By Myself) Blind Willie Harris - Does Jesus Care? Blind Roosevelt Graves - Woke Up This Morning (With My Mind On Jesus) Rev. D.C. Rice - The Angels Rolled The Stone Away Truth TLP 1002 (Austria) 11 1972 V. A.: Guitar Evangelists. Vol. II 1927-1941 Blind Willie Johnson - John The Revelator - You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond Blind Willie Harris - Where He Leads Me I Will Follow Kid Prince Moore - Church Bells - Sign Of Judgement Blind Joe Taggart - I've Crossed The Separation Line - Scandalous And A Shame Elders (Lonnie) McIntorsh & Edwards - Since I Laid My Burden Down Rev. Johnnie Blakey - Warmin By The Devil's Fire Rev. Edward W. Clayborn - Let That Lie Alone - Jesus Will Make It All Right Blind Gary Davis - I Am The Light Of The World Blind Willie Davis - I Belive I'll Go Back Home Sleepy John Estes - When The Saints Go Marching In Blind Joe Taggart - There's A Hand Writing On The Wall - Lord Don't Drive Me Away Truth TLP 1003 (Austria) 12 1972 V. A.: The Gospel Sound Vol. 2 - God Don't Never Change - Blind Willie Johnson - Lord I'm The True Vine - Eddie Head & Family - He Never Said A Mumbin' Word - Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet - He Is My Story - Arizona Dranes - I'm Praying Humble - Mitchell's Christian Singers - Trouble Soon Be Over - Blind Willie Johnson - Hush, Somebody's Calling My Name - Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet - Rain Done Fell On Me - Blind Willie Johnson - Toll The Bells - Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet - Sign Of Judgement - Mitchell's Christian Singers - Dark Was The Night - Blind Willie Johnson - These Hard Times - Rev. J.M. Gates - That's Enough - Dorothy Love Coates & Orig Gospel Harmonettes - God Is So Good - Mahalia Jackson - I've Got A New Home - The Pilrim Travelers - It Is Well With My Soul - Marion Williams - Do Something For Yourself - The Staple Singers - How I Got Over - Mahalia Jackson - Too Close To Heaven - Bessie Griffin - Pray On - The Staple Singers - He's Right On Time - Mahalia Jackson - I Love The Lord - The Pilgrim Travelers - Lord I've Had My Day - Marion Williams - I'm Willing To Run - R.H. Harris & The Christland Singers - Surely God Is Able - Marion Williams DLP Columbia KG 31595 12a 1972 V. A.: Blues For Your Pocket Blind Willie Johnson - Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground Son House - New Pony Blues Furry Lewis - Pearlee Blues Jazz Gillum - Key To The Highway Big Bill Broonzy - Guitar Shuffle Brownie McGhee - Sportin' Life Blues Memphis Slim - Boogie Woogie Piano Styles Little Brother Montgomery - Lonesome Mama Sticks McGhee - Drink Of Wine Mop Mop J.D. Short - So Much Wine James 'Son' Thomas - Beefsteak Blues Fred McDowell - Mojo Hand compiled by Mike Leadbitter Transatlatic TRA SAM 25 = Guimbarda 30111057 (Sp 1079) 13 1977? Blind Willie Johnson: Praise God I'm Satisfied - Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed - Dark Was The Night-Cold Was The Ground - Praise God I'm Satisfied - Bye And Bye I'm Going To-See The King - You're Gonna Need Somebody On YourBond - When The War Was On - God Moves On The'Water - I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole - God Don't Never Change - The Rain Don't Fall On Me - Nobody's Fault But Mine - Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning - Jesus Is Coming Soon - Mother's Children Have A Hard Time liner notes by Steve Calt Yazoo L 1058 = Yazoo CD 1058 YAZ [1989] Yazoo discography14 19?? Blind Willie Johnson: Sweeter As The Years Go By - John The Revelator - You'll Need Somebody On Your Bond - Let Your Light Shine On Me - Everybody Ought To Treat A Stranger Right - Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying - If I Had My Way I'd Tear The Building Down - If It Had Not Been For Jesus - Church, I'm Fully Saved Today - Soul Of Man - I'm Gonna Run To The City of Refuge - Can't Nobody Hide From God - Sweeter As The Years Go By - Go With Me To That Land - Trouble Will Soon Be Over - Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It - Take Your Stand Yazoo L 1078 = Yazoo CD 1078 YAZ [1990] Yazoo discography15 1982 Blind Willie Johnson: Let Your Light Shine On Me - If I Had My Way I'd Tear The Building Down - I'm Gonna Run To The City of Refuge - Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying - Let Your Light Shine On Me - Sweeter As The Years Go By - You'll Need Somebody On Your Bond - Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It - Take Your Stand - Can't Nobody Hide From God - If It Had Not Been For Jesus - Go With Me To That Land - Trouble Will Soon Be Over - Soul Of Man - Everybody Ought To Treat A Stranger Right - Church, I'm Fully Saved Today - John The Revelator Earl BD-607 16 1983 V. A.: His Shining Light Music Of Joy And Inspiration Paul Robeson Mahalia Jackson Chuck Wagon Gang Staple Singers Thomas A. Dorsey Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet Blind Willie Johnson - Let Your Light Shine On Me Abyssinian Baptist Gospel Choir CBS 16924 16a 1990 V. A.: The Slide Guitar: Bottles, Knives, & Steel Vol. 1 - Bottleneck Blues - Weaver & Beasley - untitled - Barbecue Bob - God Don't Never Change - Blind Willie Johnson - Dark Was the Night (Cold Was the Ground) - Blind Willie Johnson - St. Louis Blues - Weaver & Beasley - Experience Blues - Blind Willie McTell, Ruth Mary Willis - Guitar Rag - Sylvester Weaver - You Can't Get That Stuff No More - Tampa Red - High Sheriff Blues - Charley Patton - Homesick and Lonesome Blues - Blind Boy Fuller - Packin' Trunk Blues - Leadbelly - I Believe I'll Make a Change - Casey Bill Weldon - Don't Sell It (Don't Give It Away) - Buddy Woods - Muscat Hill Blues - Buddy Woods - Traveling Riverside Blues - Robert Johnson - Bukka's Jitterbug Swing - Bukka White - Special Streamline - Bukka White - Swing Low, Chariot - Sister O.M. Terrell - Pearline - Son House CBS LP = CBS 268.064 (Br) CBS CD 46725-2 = CBS CD CK 46218 17 1993 The Complete Blind Willie Johnson Disc 1 - I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole - Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed - Nobody's Fault But Mine - Mother's Children Have A Hard Time - Dark Was The Night (Cold Was The Ground) - If I Had My Way I'd Tear The Building Down - I'm Gonna Run To The City of Refuge - Jesus Is Coming Soon - Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying - Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning - Let Your Light Shine On Me - God Don't Never Change - Bye And Bye I'm Goin' To See The King - Sweeter As The Years Roll By Disc 2 - You'll Need Somebody On Your Bond - When The War Was On - Praise God I'm Satisfied - Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It There - Take Your Stand - God Moves On The Water - Can't Nobody Hide From God - If It Had Not Been For Jesus - Go With Me To That Land - Rain Don't Fall On Me - Trouble Will Soon Be Over - Soul Of A Man - Everybody Ought To Treat A Stranger Right - Church, I'm Fully Saved Today - John The Revelator - You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond Columbia/Legacy C2K 052835 18 1995 Blind Willie Johnson: Dark Was The Night - Let Your Light Shine On Me - God Don't Never Change - Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying - Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning - Dark Was The Night (Cold Was The Ground) - Nobody's Fault But Mine - I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole - Mother's Children Have A Hard Time - Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed - If I Had My Way I'd Tear The Building Down - Jesus Is Coming Soon - Bye And Bye I'm Goin' To See The King - God Moves On The Water - You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond - Praise God I'm Satisfied - When The War Was On - Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It - Everybody Ought To Treat A Stranger Right - The Soul Of A Man - John The Revelator - Trouble Will Soon Be Over - Church, I'm Fully Saved Today Indigo CD 2024 19 1998 Blind Willie Johnson: Dark Was The Night - If I Had My Way I'd Tear The Building Down - Dark Was The Night (Cold Was The Ground) - Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Crying - Church, I'm Fully Saved Today - Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed - Bye And Bye I'm Goin' To See The King - Let Your Light Shine On Me - John The Revelator - I Know His Blood Can Make Me Whole - God Moves On The Water - Trouble Will Soon Be Over - Praise God I'm Satisfied - Mother's Children Have A Hard Time - Nobody's Fault But Mine - Soul Of A Man - Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning Columbia/Legacy CK 065516 20 2003 V. A.: Dark Was The Night A Tribute to the music of Blind Willie Johnson Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin Latter Rain - Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning Martin Simpson - I Can't Keep From Crying 3 Mississippistaphas - When The War Was On Helen Watson and Heather Greenbank - Tear This Building Down Julie Murphy and Richard Llewellyn - John The Revelator Mike Seeger and Alexie Smith - Let It Shine The Henrys with Mary Margaret O'Hara - God Moves On The Water Ginny Clee - God Don't Never Change Bob Copper and the Latest English Country Blues Band - Soul Of A Man The Positively Testcard - Dark Was The Night Martin Simpson - Nobody's Fault But Mine Peter Stampfel and Gary Lucas - Praise God I'm Satisfied Mike Cooper - Everybody Ought To Treat A Stranger Right Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin Latter Rain - Done Fall On Me Deep Sea SeaD 8002 more info21 2003 V.A.: The Soul Of A Man (soundtrack to Wim Wenders film) - Vietnam Blues (Cassandra Wilson) - Down In Mississippi (Eagle-Eye Cherry, Vernon Reid And James 'Blood' Ulmer) - Hard Time Killing Floor Blues (Lucinda Williams) - Look Down The Road (Lou Reed) - I Feel So Good (Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds) - Slow Down (Cassandra Wilson) - Don't Dog Your Woman (T-Bone Burnett) - Voodoo Music (Los Lobos) - The Death Of J.B. Lenoir (John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers) - Alabama Blues (J.B. Lenoir) - God's Word (Shemekia Copeland) - Illinois Blues (Alvin Youngblood Hart) - I'm So Glad (Beck) - Special Rider Blues (The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion) - Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground (Marc Ribot) - Devil Got My Woman (Bonnie Raitt) - Crow Jane (Skip James) - Washington, D.C. Hospital Blues (Garland Jeffreys) - Soul Of A Man (Blind Willie Johnson) - See That My Grave Is Kept Clean (Lou Reed)