The Complete Blind Willie Johnson

Anguish is what propels a soul to deliver only what is pure. This is what Blind Willie Johnson does through his voice and guitar. This is the purest form of blues. It's a tragedy he is only now being recognized as one of the greatest blues musicians. If your serious about blues you'll buy his material.

His music was pure genius. His recordings, on the Voyager probe has left our solar system. If there is any other life in the universe, I hope his music moves them. The way it has moved me.

Do yourself a huge favor...buy this and play it. If you don't get goosebumps and/or start sweating, well you must be stone dead, jack. By CoolFreeHardBop - a certified Bluesologist

Willie Johnson is without a doubt the most powerful and passionate singer I have ever heard, and his music transcends the decades since it was recorded and the dated equipment it was recorded on. To say it's haunting is an understatement, but aside from haunting it is also very uplifting, and the vigor and faith in his voice and guitar playing easily outweighs his contemporaries. Don't take my word for it. His record was launched into space in 1977 on the Voyager. In the Company of Bach and Beethoven. Not bad company.

If I had my way I'd give everyone this album for free! I only discovered this truly great man and his work a few short months ago; now I'm making up for lost time. This album has everything you need from Mr. Johnson's catalog. His wifes singing may be a bit off key, but her sweet highs balance The Mans deep false-bass voice. The two play off of one another like hummingbirds on a cold morning. I think you'll find this album 'sweeter as the years roll by'....

I discovered this artist, quite literally, on accident. I was looking into Robert Johnson because of Eric Clapton's fine work, and it turns out that old Blind Willie played the same instrument. He lacks to pyrotechnic mechanics of Robert on the slide guitar, he more than makes up for in intensity. A lot of blues guitarists from this era wrote downright frivolous songs, but each one on here resonates with a passion and vitality that is hard to find anywhere in music. Particularly good are Mother's Children Have A Hard Time (even though his grammar is less than sterling - it should read 'Motherless'), Dark Was the Night, Let Your Light Shine On Me (which is more upbeat and accessible), and You're Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond (which sounds a little bit like Tom Waites). It is, quite simply, a tragedy that someone of the artistic caliber has been largely forgotten, especially in light of the recent Blues revival brought on by O Brother Where Art Thou? and the complete recordings of Robert Johnson.