Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Blind Willie Johnson: God Don't Never Change: The Songs ...

3

Blind Willie Johnson: God Don't Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson

By

Sign in to view read count
Blind Willie Johnson: God Don't Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson
As time moves on and the genuine bluesmen slip into historical archives, it is a cause for celebration when someone makes the effort to reconstruct the music of one of the true innovators in the blues genre. Produced by Jeffrey Gaskill, God Don't Never Change: The Songs Of Blind Willie Johnson, is a contemporary tribute to this seminal slide guitarist who was also unique in his imaginative vocal interpretations and compositions of gospel blues. Blind Willie Johnson (1897-1945) recorded thirty tracks for the Columbia label between 1927 and 1930 in sessions done in Dallas, New Orleans and Atlanta, preceding the heralded recordings of blues guitarist/composer Robert Johnson in San Antonio, by nine years. Though his songs have not had the influence and impact of Robert, Blind Willie has left an enduring legacy which is carried on by modern slide guitarists and gospel singers.

It is of course the job of the producer to get the right people for such an undertaking, and this project is no exception. Tom Waits opens with "The Soul of a Man," a raucous holy roller that brings to mind the fire and brimstone preachers who know how to shake up the congregation. "Nobody's Fault But Mine," possibly Johnson's best known and most covered song is given the royal treatment by Lucinda Williams, who possesses one of the most distinctive voices in music. Derek Trucks is widely recognized as a brilliant slide player, and he is joined by his wife Susan Tedeschi handling the vocals on "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed And Burning," which eases into "Jesus Is Coming Soon," by the Cowboy Junkies. The Blind Boys of Alabama, were the obvious choice for "Motherless Children Have A Hard Time," and they deliver a soul shaking rendition.

Sinead O'Connor might be the surprise artist here, but she rises to the occasion on "Trouble Will Soon Be Over," followed by Luther Dickinson, guitarist of the North Mississippi All Stars who assembled an interesting fife and drum band to perform "Bye and Bye, I'm Going to See the King." Lucinda Williams returns for an inspirational version of "God Don't Ever Change," and Tom Waits does an encore with "John The Revelator." Maria McKee raises the roof with "Let Your Light Shine On Me, and Ricki Lee Jones closes the repertoire with the somber toned "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground." This final song was initially done by Johnson as a moaning hymn accompanying himself on an eerie slide guitar, Jones accomplishes an impressive take and does justice to the memory of the original.

This is an interesting record, and one that was literally years in the making, as producer Jeffrey Gaskill, back in 2002, began the search for the legend of Blind Willie Johnson, going back to his native Texas roots to get the real story. Though the recordings of Johnson are readily available and have been reissued on various labels, this compilation is a labor of love in not only recognizing a unique American artist, but serves as stimulation to go check out Johnson's music. The blues is where it all began and these primordial performers deserve enduring appreciation for their contribution.

Track Listing

Soul of a Man; It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine; Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning; Jesus is Coming Soon; Motherless Children Have a Hard Time; Trouble Will Soon Be Over; Bye and Bye I’m Going to See the King; God Don't Never Change; John The Revelator; Let Your Light Shine on Me; Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground.

Personnel

Blind Willie Johnson
guitar, slide

Tom Waits: vocals (1, 9); Casey Waits: drums (1, 9); Kathleen Brennan: background vocals (1);Lucinda Williams: vocals and guitar (2, 8); Doug Pettibone: guitar (2, 8); David Sutton: bass (2, 8); Butch Norton: drums (2, 8); Susan Tedeschi: lead vocal, handclaps (3); Derek Trucks: guitar, handclaps (3); Mike Mattison: vocal, handclaps (3); Mark Rivers: vocal, handclaps (3);Margo Timmins: vocals (4); Michael Timmins: guitars (4); Peter Timmins: drums (4); Alan Anton: bass (4); Jimmy Carter: vocals (5); Billy Bowers: vocals (5); Jason Isbell: slide guitar (5);Joey Williams: guitar (5); Peter Levin: keyboards (5); Jimbo Hart: bass (5); Chad Gamble: drums (5); Sinead O’Connor: vocals (6); Kenneth Papenfus: guitars, backing vocals (6); Carl Papenfus: drums, bass, backing vocals (6); Joanne Papenfus: vocals (6); Nicola Papenfus: vocals (6); Luther Dickinson: guitar, vocal (7); Shardé Thomas: vocal, fife, drums (7); Amy Lavere: upright bass, vocals (7); Maria McKee: vocals, guitar, piano, organ, percussion (10);Rickie Lee Jones: vocals, guitar, tambourine (11) ; Lee Thornburg: horns (11).

Album information

Title: God Don't Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Alligator Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.