Blind Willie Johnson - Dark Was the Night
There are not many musicians whose music has been sent into deep space as part of the Voyager mission. Blind Willie Johnson’s music has been described as the purest ever and his skill with the bottleneck (and knife) is unparalleled, while his voice alternates between awe-inspiring tenor and a gravelly bass.
Johnson recorded 30 sides for Columbia (1927-1930); this album includes God Moves on the Water and Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground, both are simply awe inspiring, along with the classics Praise God I’m Satisfied, Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed, John the Revelator, and 11 others. His haunting masterpiece Dark Was the Night is expertly executed and spiritually charged to the point where its emotions pierce your soul.
Johnson pioneered the ferocious intensity of today’s rock music and his compositions have been covered by Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Eric Burdon, Bruce Cockburn, Dave Hole and the Staple Sisters to name a few.
His music is on countless albums and soundtracks; however, if you are seeking one collection, you cannot go wrong with Dark Was the Night.
Recorded Dec 3, 1927-Apr 20, 1930
Columbia/Legacy
Released Jun 30, 1998
