The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #82552   Message #1513124
Posted By: GUEST
30-Jun-05 - 06:08 AM
Thread Name: Robert Johnson series BBC radio
Subject: RE: Robert Johnson series BBC radio
Well as a whole there wern't all that much about Robert Johnson per se in the programme. Some of his recordings were played in part but then so was as much dull contemporary blues. I got the impression that guys at the independent production company that made the prog thought it would be a good scam to take a holiday in the Blues Theme Park that parts of Misssissippi have now become. We had a good 5 mins devoted to the ducks in the Peabody Hotel, with one of the Hotel staff narrating and finishing up with a "y'all have a good day now." Was this a puff promised to the Peabody in return for comped hospitality? There was the usual endorsment of RJ by Eric Clapton, one would almost think that Eric had invented RJ all by himself. Not EC's fault but rather the generations of interviewrs who make him trot this stuff out. Then there was the visit to the Gibson guitar factory. That would be a nice day out for the prog makers. Yes, Gibson made the guitar that RJ is seen holding in the famous foto. (But did RJ actually use this on any of his recordings? Or did he use the mail-order Sears Roebuck Stella like all the other players? Was it his guitar or did he just borrow it for the foto? He certainly put on his best suit and his polished shoes,so maybe it was a prop. In all events the Gibson guy said he thought the guitar playing of Blind Blake was more intricate but he was very taken with RJ's eerie singing and no, he said, they didn't make that particular instrument there, but in their Montana factory. Towards the end of the prog one of the current genration of the Stovall family spoke informatively about the Stovall Farm and the culture in which blues players operated in the 20's 30's and 40's. I'll be listening next week and I hope the prog improves.