"Nick Gorham" wrote in message
...
Andy Evans wrote:
That would be Robert Johnson - he wrote dozens of the blues standards,
including Crossroads after an incident at a crossroads where he sold
his soul to the devil. Booze was strong back then.


The wonderful Robert Johnson. But don't stop there - listen to guys
like Leadbelly, Skip James, Son House, John Lee Hooker, Howlin Wolf,
Muddy Waters, Mississipi John Hurt. Plenty of good blues there. A
personal favourite is Rev Gary Davis for his marvellous guitar playing,
but having said that his voice is somewhere between dreadful and an
acquired taste.


Also interesting is that Johnson is not as highly rated in the US has he
is here. I suspect a lot of the reason is the result of the press he got
here in the 60's from the likes of Clapton and co. Not that I am saying
you shouldn't listen to the small amount of his work, but as Andy said,
there are a lot more to hear than him. Many from the same period. Blind
Lemon is one to look for from the same time, many of Andy's list was the
next generation of player (though thats not a reason to not rush out and
hear them).

I agree BTW Andy, Rev Garry Davis playing was what first turned me on to
the blues. I had a frend who had a huge collection of Delta and Chicargo
blues, and he seemed to stand out.

--
Nick
thanks lads I have now got all his music an I am now driving very body down
at the marina in Ipswich mad as I lay back with a nice hot coffee and play
the blues, thanks again ken