Back to the Crossroads: The Roots of Robert Johnson in Bloomington, MN

In a day and time (post-2000) when tribute albums spring up before a singer has a chance to die, much less become an immortal, it's a relief to get an album that switches the formula.
Back to the Crossroads
traces the roots -- not the influence -- of
Robert Johnson
, perhaps the most eulogized singer in
blues
history. These roots are especially interesting to the
rock
fan who initially came to
Johnson
by way of
Cream
or
Eric Clapton
the Allman Brothers
, because they show how much the guitarist borrowed, adapted, and synthesized the music of those who came before him. As
Elijah Wald
points out in the liner notes,
copied
Lonnie Johnson
's vocal and instrumental arrangement of
"Life Saver Blues"
almost note for note on
"Malted Milk"
and
"Drunken Hearted Man."
Indeed, for those unfamiliar with
, it would be easy to guess that he was an urban knockoff of the
Delta
bluesman. A number of
's vocal inflections can also be traced to
Peetie Wheatstraw
's delightful
"Police Station Blues."
The point of the collection, though, isn't to prove that
was a derivative artist, but to outline the rich tradition that he drew from to create his own art. As with other
Yazoo
compilations, research and sound engineering guarantee a high-quality product with historical significance.
also accompanies
's
Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues
. Any fan of pre-WWII
will want to pick up a copy of
. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.