Eric Clapton – Malted Milk (Robert Johnson)

This is a live performance by blues guitarist Eric Clapton playing his rendition of the classic Robert Johnson song “Malted Milk”. Clapton has been a fan of Johnson since very early in his beginning to play the guitar. He has also stated in many interviews his admiration for Johnson and his ability to play like he does on his own. (I’ve embedded the original version of this below).

Clapton’s version is very similar to the original which has sort of always been Clapton’s mission in covering Johnson. Playing it either similar to him or in a fashion that you can still hear that it’s Robert Johnson music.
This version that Clapton plays here is from the Martin Scorsese documentary “Nothing But The Blues”. Another great version of this by Clapton can be found on his 1992 “Unplugged” album.
It’s a great song. I really love the little motive that plays after the line “spooks around my bed”, at the same time, it’s traditional and totally outside what you’d normally do in a blues. The genius of Robert Johnson!

Enjoy ; )

The White Stripes/ The Rolling Stones ft. Robert Cray - Stop Breaking Down

These are two different contemporary versions of the classic Robert Johnson song "Stop Breaking Down".
The original recording done by Johnson was recorded in 1937 and released in 1938. Johnson did two takes of the song. They are pretty similar, but the length differs with 5 seconds. This original version is a solo piece with Johnson accompanying his own vocal performance on guitar. Both takes were originally used, but on two different pressings of the single.
The top video is of the duo The White Stripes doing their version of the song. This version was initially recorded and released on the duo's 1999 debut album entitled "The White Stripes". I really like this version. Jack's slide playing really elevates this song and breathes new life into it whilst still staying true to the original. Very well done in my opinion. (The video quality isn't the best, but still enjoyable).
The video below is The Rolling Stones' version of the song. The Rolling Stones recorded a cover of the song on their 1972 "Exile on Main St." album. This performance featuring Robert Cray is from the concert DVD "The Rolling Stones: Voodoo Lounge Live". The performances on this DVD were recorded in 2004. It's a very good version. Personally I prefer The White Stripe's rendition, but this version is very good as well.
So there you have it. Enjoy Johnson's original recording along with all of the modern interpretations of his stuff.

Enjoy ; )

Rory Gallagher - Banker's Blues

This is a live performance by Rory Gallagher, doing an acoustic blues classic on his own. It's a solo performance, just Rory and his guitar, it's so fantastic what only a select few performers can do when they sit on their own and do an self accompanied acoustic blues performance. It's a tradition of the 1920's and 30's, and so many people today aren't able to do it. Very few people listen to the roots of the blues, and perform them as well as Gallagher did.
The song Banker's Blues was originally recorded by Big Bill Broonzy, a legendary player of the acoustic blues era of the 1930's. He's not as famous as Robert Johnson, but still quite known within the guitar playing community. And both Gallagher and Clapton have cited him as an influence on their playing styles.
The song is about women and how they'll steal your money, if you have them in the bank, a quite simple theme. The song follows the same chord structure as "Key to the Highway", but is still different. It's sort of like Son House's "Death Letter" sounds like "Rollin' and Tumblin'", but they are different songs.
It's a great song, and a great performance. I've embeded a version of the original recording beneath, the sound quality isn't good, and you can hear the needle scratching the record, but it's still good.


Enjoy ; )

The White Stripes - Ball and Biscuit

This is a performance by legendary alternative/blues/garage rock band The White Stripes. They could probably be attached to even more genres. They perform the song "Ball and Biscuit" from the album "Elephant" released in 2003. The band consists of Jack White on guitar and Meg White on drums. That's it, two members, and two instruments. The weird thing is that it's kind of a genius thing, because it really works. The song "Ball and Biscuit" is clearly a song deeply inspired by the very early acoustic blues the likes of Robert Johnson and Son House, but in an electric version. Jack has, by many, been said to have revitalised the guitar, and I kinda understand what they mean. He draws influence from multiple genres, and innovatively mixes them all into his own, mostly electric sound. In many ways doing the same thing as Clapton was doing when he recorded Crossroads.
This song is delightfully simple, simple rhythm and simple chord structure, with a slightly more difficult solo. It's reminiscent to the old Delta Blues because it's so simple, there's no bass, and Meg White's simple drumming is kinda like a foot tap of a self accompanied acoustic blues man. Jack also has to play the bass part, the rhythm part and the solos. This makes for a very interesting and innovative trade of playing, it makes him unique. This is a great song, and it pays tribute whilst still being new and innovative, well done Jack!

Enjoy ; )

Son House - Death Letter

This is an acoustic solo performance by legendary blues musician Son House. House isn't as widely known and famous as Robert Johnson who was also one of the old dogs when it comes to blues. Son House was born in 1902 and got to have a long life lasting to 1988 which meant he got to be around the greats and even influence some of them. Many people believe that House has influenced Johnson, in fact Johnson incorporated some of "Death Letter" into his own blues classic "Walking Blues". Son House, because of his old age, was also one of the people who helped spread the myth that Johnson had sold his soul to the devil in trade of his marvellous musical abilities.
The song Death Letter is about a man who learns about the death of the woman he loves in a letter. It is a very dark and depressive song, as the narrator views her dead body in the morgue and attends the funeral only to return home in a state of depression.
The song and Son House himself also gained some new notoriety in recent years due to Jack White being heavily influenced by him. The White Stripes has also covered Death Letter live on numerous occasions. It's a great song with a simple rhythm. One man and his guitar, that's what the blues is all about.

Enjoy ; )

John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom

This is a performance from the 60's by blues legend John Lee Hooker. He performs it with an electric guitar accompanied by himself. It's a great performance, and the foot tapping is just excellent and done with perfect timing. It's a nice throw back to the roots of the blues, artists like Robert Johnson who would also tap the rhythm with his foot as he was recording. Now it's just done with an electric guitar instead.
The song also gained some notoriety when featured in "The Blues Brothers", John himself cameos in the film as a South Side Chicago street musician.
A great song, and a great performance.

Enjoy ; )

Correction - Wrong Song Title

Correction for this post: Eric Clapton - If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
I recently posted a song that I at the time thought was called "If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day". It isn't a wrong title, but the song has several titles depending on who recorded it.
The original title is "Rollin' and Tumblin'", but Robert Johnson recorded the song under the title "If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day" and John Lee Hooker recorded a version under the title "Rollin' Blues". The most famous version is Muddy Waters' version under the title "Rolling and Tumbling", removing the apostrophes.
The reason I post this correction is that it's always important to acknowledge the roots, and I believe Clapton uses the original title for his version.

Roy Rogers - Walkin' Blues

This is a performance by slide guitarist Roy Rogers. The song was originally composed and recorded by blues legend Robert Johnson. It was released as a B-side to Johnson's song "Sweet Home Chicago".
It's a pretty classic song, and it's been covered by a lot of artists such as Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and Rory Gallagher.
I love Roy's version, he's just so good with that slide, and comes closest to capturing some of the original. Both Rory's and Clapton's versions are much slower than the original, and are good in their own right. But Roy's version rocks!

Enjoy ; )

Eric Clapton - They're Red Hot

This is a performance by Eric Clapton, he plays the classic Robert Johnson song "They're Red Hot". It is a somewhat different Johnson song, because it isn't based on the classic 12-bar blues, but on a classic ragtime chord progression instead.
The clip is from the Robert Johnson film "Sessions for Robert J.". Clapton plays the chord progression while his band get to solo on the progression.
Clapton once said: 

"We thought he was accompanied by someone[...]my take on Robert Johnson so far is that it needs two people to play what he plays and sing at the same time"

I think he was right!

The song also gained some notoriety when covered by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, but I prefer Clapton's version.

A great song and performance, enjoy ; )

John Mayer & Eric Clapton - Crossroads

Here's a performance by Eric Clapton and John Mayer. They play the classic Johnson tune "Crossroads". The song was originally made under the title "Cross Road Blues" as a one-person acoustic blues tune by the ahead of his time talented Robert Johnson. The band Cream, of which Clapton was a member, covered the song on their "Wheels of Fire" album in an electrified version coming off the 60's blues vibe in London.
It is a blues classic, and Clapton's version has been covered by numerous artists, including Rush, Elmore James, John Mayer to name a few.

Enjoy ; )

Dust My Broom - Gary Moore

This is a clip of Gary Moore covering the famous song 'Dust My Broom'. It's song that's been covered a lot, artists who have done cover-versions include; Howlin' Wolf, ZZ Top, Ike & Tina Turner, Keith Richards, and many more.
The song was originally recorded by blues legend Robert Johnson, but made famous by legendary slide player Elmore James.
Moore isn't much of a slide player, but I really think he brings something to this cover, and does a very good job with it.

Enjoy ; )