“…the blues is, for the Stones, the fountainhead of everything they do.” – Don Was
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Now, in the 21st century, these early players are recognized as founding fathers of the blues genre. These musicians are the pillars upon which the houses of folk, rock, and blues have been built.
‘EJ’ brings listeners as close as possible to hearing Johnson in his own living room, performing songs on piano and steel-string and nylon-string acoustic guitars.
With all due respect to Mr. Trower’s age, experience, and musical knowledge, I must reply, poppycock!
Interspersed along with the music are interview tracks. One gem from these is when Lomax asks Waters “Is [Son] House a better player than [Robert] Johnson is, ya think?” Waters answers, “I think they’re both about equal.”
“In all he did, he was so positive. He was such a gentleman and a role model. He did not drink or use drugs, and he always had such a positive energy. That’s why everyone loved him and enjoyed having him around.”
If you happened to be at the right stage at the right time you could witness things like The Reverend Peyton playing slide on a three-string cigar box guitar, or, catch a rip-roaring musical sermon from soulful Nashville singer Mike Farris.
This is the one that might have sealed his reputation.
Among other treasures are a hand-written song book from Lightnin’ Hopkins, a signed B.B. King Gibson “Lucille” guitar, and much, much more.
This album is a timeless classic, and should be mandatory listening for anyone aspiring to be a guitarist of merit. It is without doubt one of the finest blues records ever recorded and well worth the price of admission, and then some.