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2003 studio album by Blind Willie Johnson From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Soul of a Man is an album of "twenty haunting spiritual blues songs" recorded in the late 1920s and 1930 by the American gospel blues singer and guitarist Blind Willie Johnson that was released by Charly Records in 2003.[2]
This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2016) |
The Soul of a Man | |
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Studio album by | |
Released | 18 November 2003 |
Recorded | 3 December 1927–20 April 1930 |
Genre | Gospel, gospel blues, blues |
Length | 74:50 |
Label | Charly Records |
All of the songs have religious themes and are notable for Johnson’s distinctive combination of a raw and powerful vocal style with a fluid and melodic slide guitar technique. Their influence can be heard in the music of Taj Mahal, Led Zeppelin and Ry Cooder. The 2003 Wim Wenders documentary film The Soul of a Man is a tribute to Johnson.
The songs were recorded for Columbia Records in Dallas, Texas, in December 1927 and December 1928, in New Orleans in December 1929 and in Atlanta, Georgia, in April 1930. Johnson ceased recording in 1930 and became a Baptist preacher. He died of malarial fever in Beaumont, Texas, in 1945, aged 48, after being forced to sleep outdoors when his home burned down.
Taj Mahal recorded a cover version of "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" on his 1969 album Giant Step. Led Zeppelin covered the song "It's Nobody's Fault but Mine" on their 1976 album Presence.
"Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground", an instrumental that showcases Johnson's slide guitar playing, is reported to have been the inspiration for Ry Cooder's soundtrack for the 1984 Wim Wenders film Paris, Texas.[2]
All songs written by Blind Willie Johnson except where noted.
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