Eric Clapton said he has never heard anyone play the guitar like blues legend Robert Johnson.
Some said Johnson sold his soul to the devil for his nearly perfect guitar talents. Ironically, this is near what Clapton's peers say about him and his "slow hand."
So, obviously, when Johnson's legendary blues fall into the hands of a present-day rock legend, a hybrid of funky toe tappin', core shaking tunes is born.
Clapton's latest effort, Me and Mr. Johnson, is an album to be reckoned with. Clapton dedicated this whole album to the blues of Johnson
"His music is like my oldest friend, always in the back of my head and on the horizon," Clapton said in the album notes. "It's the finest music I've ever heard.ˇ I've always trusted its purity. And I always will."
Johnson, who died at 27, wrote only 29 songs in his lifetime, 14 of which are on this record. Not many could become legendary on a 29 song ticket, but sometimes it is more about quality than quantity.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
And this album is about quality. Clapton is joined by longtime band members Andy Low (guitar), Doyle Bramhall II (guitar), Billy Preston (keyboards), Jerry Portnoy (harmonica), Nathan East (bass) and Steve Gadd (drums). Clapton's voice, versatile as ever, doesn't make the listener question whether he's really got the blues.
"It is a remarkable thing to have been driven and influenced all my life by the work of one man," Clapton said. "And even though I accept that as it had always been the keystone of my musical foundation, I still would not regard it as an obsession. Instead, I prefer to think of it as a landmark that I navigate by whenever I feel myself going adrift."
For those who are already fans of Johnson, Clapton's blues are a nice homage, but really can't compare.
It's clear that this was more a personal project for Clapton to show his appreciation. Maybe Clapton wanted to bring Johnson's music back to life.
Either way, if you like the blues, buy Johnson's music. If you are a die hard Clapton fan, buy Me and Mr. Johnson.
