Sessions For Robert J (+DVD) [Digipak] - Eric Clapton > Reviews > Eric Clapton pays homage to Robert Johnson.

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Robert Johnsons music is showcased by great musicians .
Disadvantages:	Not all Robert Johnsons songs were covered .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I rate this excellent because the guitarist pays homage to his hero, in his style the musicianship is without fault throughout. It is nice to see the Blues played with such energy and obvious enjoyment by all concerned.

The only thing that could be a negative is that not all of Robert Johnsons songs have been covered by Eric Clapton yet and subsequentely presented on an album. I hope that these will be done on a future album, as EC has covered most of his work.

I have personally heard Eric Clapton play "Milk Cows Calf Blues" and "Little Queen of Spades" from this album at the Royal Albert Hall and at the Manchester Evening News Arena and the live versions were even better than on the cd.

Robert Johnson, in his short life, only wrote and recorded 29 songs before he was killed, the most popular version of his death being that he was poisoned by a jealous husband.

Seventeen of these songs are featured on this album and Dvd. The cd consists of:-

Sweet Home Chicago

Milkcow's Calf Blues

Terraplane Blues

If I had Possesion Over Judgement Day

Stop Breaking Down Blues

Little Queen Of Spades

Travelling Riveside Blues

Me And The Devil Blues

From Four Till Late

Kind Hearted Woman Blues

Ramblin' On My Mind

Composer: Robert Johnson

The musicians on this album are:-

Eric Clapton - Guitar and Vocals including slide
Doyle Brammell II - Guitar including slide
Nathan East - Bass Guitar
Billy Preston - Hammond Organ (Billy Preston has since passed away)
Chris Stainton - Piano
Steve Gadd - Drums

This cd set also has a dvd featuring all of the songs many of the songs being practised, so you get a good idea of how the album is made, there are also some behind the scenes footage of how the whole album was made tlaking about set lists, cameramen etc., and showing various studios and personnel, the whole album was recorded live, and this section ends with all involved having their photograph taken. The whole dvd was filmed in London and Dallas during tour rehearsals.

The rest of the dvd is in four sessions hence the title.

Session 1 is the Full Band playing at Hook End Manor, Checkendon England

Kind Hearted Woman, They're Red Hot, Sweet Home Chicago and When You Got a Good Friend

Session 2 is the Full Band playing at the Studios, Las Colinas, Irving, Texas

Milkcow's Calf Blues, If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day, Stop Breakin' Down Blues, Travelling Riverside Blues

Session 3 is Eric and Doyle playing accoustic with Eric on vocals at 508 Dallas Park Texas, Robert Johnson made some of his final recordings in this Dallas warehouse .

Terraplane Blues, Hellhound On My Trail, Me And The Devil Blues, From Four Till Late

Session 4 is Eric playing accoustic guitar and singing on his own in the Hotel Casa Del Mar, Santa Monica, California. These songs are:-

Ramblin' On My Mind, Stones In My Passway, Love In Vain.

The Dvd is a must for all Blues fans.

If comparing the two albums Eric Clapton has made paying homage to Robert Johnson.

I would rate "Sessions for Robert J" above "Me and Mr Johnson" the only difference between the albums being that Jerry Portnoy plays the Harmonica on the latter.

"Me and Mr Johnson" is worth buying too as the Harmonica of Jerry Portnoy brings an added dimension to this collection of songs.

I would recommend anybody who loves the Blues to buy this album.
You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for reading.

© dvdsprks2 2007