Robert Johnson series BBC radio

Subject: Robert Johnson series BBC radio
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 29 Jun 05 - 09:24 AM

Wednesday 29th June 2005 (tonight- got it right this time), BBC Radio 2 at 10pm BST: starts a 6 part series on Robert Johnson.

RtS
(white boy nerd)

Subject: RE: Robert Joihnson series BBC radio
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Jun 05 - 03:32 PM

good to see the BBC supporting contemporary folk artists!

a brave choice

Subject: RE: Robert Joihnson series BBC radio
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Jun 05 - 08:31 PM

Excelleny prog.

unfortunately I fell asleep during it. but it seemed very interesting the bit I heard.

Subject: RE: Robert Joihnson series BBC radio
From: GUEST,Mr Happy
Date: 29 Jun 05 - 08:36 PM

That stimulating, eh? Snore.......

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson series BBC radio
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 06:08 AM

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.

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson series BBC radio
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 06:19 AM

yes I heard most of that. cept the end bit about the farm....

to be honest I think if you want to find out about Robert Johnson, you're going to have to work it out for yourself.

you know how musicians live (apart from those living ones featured in documentaries by the BBC). We still all use the goods lift and the back entrance. Only in RJ's time it was even more brutal and shittier.

Subject: RE: Robert Johnson series BBC radio
From: Rain Dog
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 07:35 AM

You can read about the program and listen to the 1st part ( for the next 6 days ) here

Robert Johnson