A wonderful follow-up to the first compilation (
King of the Delta Blues Singers) of
Robert Johnson's small library of recorded work. This album boasts the first album appearance of
"Love in Vain," as well as a number of other
blues classics penned by the artist.
"Sweet Home Chicago," "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom," "They're Red Hot," and
"Malted Milk" are all present (and all covered by a multitude of artists -- the
Blues Brothers,
Elmore James, the
Red Hot Chili Peppers, and
Eric Clapton, respectively). As is generally the practice with
Robert Johnson albums, a painting stands in for the cover (there are only two known photographs of the artist in the first place, and every other album released uses one of them). The music is certainly impeccable -- the self-accompanying bassline boogie was one of
Johnson's greatest contributions to the
blues, and it's displayed in all its beauty here. To top this, there's the beauty of his melodic work, and the interplay with his semi-gruff voice that help to make his songs memorable. He is the true legend of the
blues, and anyone with even the slightest curiosity in that genre or rock needs to own both this album and its predecessor, or else the box set released in 1990 that covers both of them. ~ Adam Greenberg
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