Customer Reviews

At the Crossroads: The Blues of Robert Johnson

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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.

It's far more impressive than Eric Clapton's latest Johnson offering, largely because Hammond doesn't approach the material with kid gloves. 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.

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. You can practically taste the dust being kicked up while Johnson (er. .. 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

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. 99% acoustic in the spirit of Rober Johnson but nothing new. Not Wicked Grin. I would recommend Wicked Grin , Ready for Love, Long As I have You or "Southern Fried" first.