Fretplay.com Jr. John Hammond CD reviews Jr. John Hammond guitar tabs Jr. John Hammond CD reviews Jr. John Hammond tabs At the Crossroads: The Blues of Robert Johnson


Jr. John Hammond - At the Crossroads: The Blues of Robert Johnson Audio CD

A fair review of the Jr. John Hammond "At the Crossroads: The Blues of Robert Johnson" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Jr. John Hammond reviews here, or go back to the Jr. John Hammond tabs.

Jr. John Hammond Band: Jr. John Hammond
Title: At the Crossroads: The Blues of Robert Johnson
Rating:
Release Date: 2003-10-14
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: 32-20 Blues 2: Milkcow's Calf Blues 3: Traveling Riverside Blues 4: Stones in My Passway 5: Cross Road Blues 6: Hellhound Blues (Hellhound on My Trail) 7: Me and the Devil Blues [Live] 8: Walking Blues 9: Come on in My Kitchen 10: Preaching Blues (Up Jumped the Devil) 11: Sweet Home Chicago - John Hammond, Jr., 12: When You Got a Good Friend 13: Judgment Day (If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day) 14: Rambling Blues (Rambling on My Mind)

John channels Johnson
You can practically taste the dust being kicked up while Johnson (er. This CD is so good, so raw and real, and so much in the spirit of Robert Johnson that Eric Clapton should be ashamed for thinking he could do better. . . Hammond) stands at the Crossroads waiting for an appointment to sell his soul to the Big Red Guy. It's not derivative. It's a heartfelt and down to the bone interpretation. Get this CD if you want to see Hammond channel the soul of Robert Johnson.


A nice counterpoint to Clapton's mannered renderings...


It's far more impressive than Eric Clapton's latest Johnson offering, largely because Hammond doesn't approach the material with kid gloves. John Hammond - underrated, largely unknown outside of blues circles, and saddled with being the son of an historically important producer - here presents his attempts at the Johnson catalogue over the years. His 'Travelling Riverside Blues' is uptempo and engaging; his 'Crossroad Blues' suitably raw (with the nice addition of a funky slide lick in the turnaround); 'Hellhound on my Trail' is atmospheric without wandering into Vincent Price territory; and '32-20 Blues' energetic and interesting.

There are a few drawbacks, however. Hammond's voice is a weak link - his falsetto, exhibited on a live cut of 'Me and the Devil Blues' - is particularly grating, yet he doesn't try to Xerox Johnson's vocals in the manner of Clapton. His singing is largely his own, and that's admirable even if it is not to everyone's tastes.

The final tracks are mid-1960s electric versions of Johnson's songs, and they are underwhelming. Still, they give one an insight into how Johnson's material was approached by white musicians before he became the overnight sensation (60 years in the making) of the 1980s and 1990s.

As an insight into Johnson, this album is therefore hit-and-miss. As an insight into the historical development of John Hammond in 'reading' Johnson, it is excellent. His commitment to Robert Johnson (and the blues more generally), irrespective of trends and commercial success, is therefore well documented on 'At The Crossroads'. Seek this one out. .


Re-cycled from old albums
99% acoustic in the spirit of Rober Johnson but nothing new. Of course John Hammond can play and sing acoustic blues like few others but the problem here is that this album is anotheer recycling of old material. Not Wicked Grin. I would recommend Wicked Grin , Ready for Love, Long As I have You or "Southern Fried" first.


You can see a complete list of all Jr. John Hammond discography, or go back to the Jr. John Hammond tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

Search guitar tabs

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
[ Search tabs | Guitar tabs | Bass tabs |
Easy guitar tabs | Guitar solo tabs |
Acoustic guitar tabs | Guitar chords |
How to read guitar tabs ]
Forum topics
Music forums
- Bands and artists - Songwriting and lyrics - Tablature talk - Promote your band
Instrument forums
- Guitar basics - Gear & accessories - Bass guitar
Community
- The pit - Site Feedback - Reviews
[ User survey | About us | Privacy statement ]