Robert Johnson - King Of The Delta Blues Singers (1961)

Recorded 1936 & 1937, album originally released 1961, this particular CD reissue released in 1998.

From the back CD insert:

By 1961, Robert Johnson had become something of a mythical figure who people had heard of but had not necessarily heard. His recordings - the most important blues recordings of all time - had become virtually lost to the ages. That was, until this album, King Of The Delta Blues Singers was compiled and released, sparking a whole new generation's interest in authentic delta blues. Now, newly remastered and expanded to include a recently discovered, previously unreleased version of "Traveling Riverside Blues," King Of The Delta Blues Singers is a monument to the blues and an essential album for any music fan.

The last part may seem like hyperbole, but I don't think it is and I'm not sure what I can add to that. This is the real deal makes up an important album. It should be required listening in order to understand not only blues music, but also the '60s British invasion groups that owe quite a bit to these recordings (Stones, Clapton, Zep, etc). The remastering here is fantastic, plus, if I'm in just the right mindset, it's a blast to listen to. 

Uncredited 1961 liner notes and 1998 reissue liner notes by Peter Guralnick. Further reading recommendation: Biography of a Phantom: A Robert Johnson Blues Odyssey by Robert "Mack" McCormick.

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Catalog (1987): #34

Johnson has been honored posthumously many times (for a partial list, check his Wikipedia page), but since I was a philatelist as a teen, I'm choosing his selection to appear on a US postage stamp in 1994 to be my personal favorite:

Tracks:

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: The Gunter Hotel, where Johnson allegedly recorded these songs in room 414, is about 11 miles from our house, across the street from a theater my wife and I frequent, and next door to our favorite local steakhouse. One year for my birthday, I decided my lovely wife and I would enjoy a steak and a few drinks then spend the night in room 414 just to say we had stayed there. The hotel often hosts live music at its lobby bar, appropriately named Bar 414. There is also a plaque and small display recognizing Johnson near the hotel's front entrance.
However, the current owners, the Marriott organization, do not want you spending the night in room 414. At the very least, they don't make it easy for a music fan. Despite my best efforts - multiple phone calls, multiple in-person front desk attempts, clicking all over the hotel's website - the best I could get is "We can't guarantee anything, book a reservation for the night you want for a suite, then call the day before and request room 414. If it's available for that night, we'll try to hold it for you." The charge for a suite for one night in June at the time (2022 maybe?) was $450. Needless to say, we have not spent the night in room suite 414. Screw 'em. Seems like the hotel has really missed an opportunity not properly marketing its historic past.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Escaping The Delta (2004)