Robert Johnson: Almost electric?

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson: Almost electric?
From: Tweed
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 12:04 PM

Lot on Robert Johnson today it seems. Saw this (link) come up on the blues engine search. Another new picture of RJ, but this one has either Johnny Shines or Matt Damon in it. I dunno.. You all check it out and see .

Vanity Fair Article

Tweed

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson: Almost electric?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 11:53 AM

Correction. Sonny Terry played at least one tune, The New John Henry, backed by Bull City Red on washboard.

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson: Almost electric?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 11:51 AM

Dunno. The only light I can throw on the problem is that Big Bill Broonzy was accompanied by Albert Ammons on piano, and Sonny Terry appeared just with his harmonica. I've no idea whether amplified guitar was used. However Broonzy had a lot of experience of working with musicians like Ammons where I doubt that Johnson did. Overall, I'd suspect Hammond would have recognised this and put Johnson on the stage on his own.

The pity is that we'll never know.

Subject: Robert Johnson: Almost electric?
From: NormanD
Date: 20 Oct 08 - 11:39 AM

In 1938, John Hammond organised the "From Spirituals To Swing" concert, and had planned an appearance by Robert Johnson. Sadly, he had died earlier in the year and Hammond instead booked Big Bill Broonzy to take his place.

I have read (where??) that Hammond had planned to have had Johnson performing with a band. Would that have been a bass/piano/small drum combo? And would Johnson have been playing an amped-up guitar?

Of course, this may have been mere speculation. Are there any attributable facts available?

Thanks

Norman

PS No "Judas!" jokes, please. I've already thought of that one.