Just what I needed!
I really like listening to the old style rhythm and blues and this CD really delivers!

Yes, The Soul of A Man
A tradition developed early, and I am not sure how, but it was very early in the 1900's of blind black men with musical ability (and probably some with none) going to the small town Southern street and singing for their dinner, so to speak. I, for one, am glad that they did because an inordinate part of early blues music would be missing without their collective contributions. Here we start our tribute with Blind Willie Johnson; this is Reverend Blind Willie Johnson, by the way. What makes Reverend Johnson a shade bit different from other blues singers of the period, with the partial exception of Skip James, is that the vast bulk of his music is religious in orientation unlike the more traditional moaning and groaning about work, women and whiskey.

For those who saw part of Martin Scorcese's PBS Blues Project a few years back you might remember that Blind Willie (along with Skip James) was highlighted in Wim Wender's section. You might also know then that Johnson's Soul of A Man is traveling the universe as a selection of one of humankind's musical expressions. Take that and If You Had A Friend In Jesus with female accompaniment and you are at the height of Blind Willie's talent. As for the rest you will have to listen for yourself.

Makes BB King sound like Paul Simon in a pink dress aged 11.
So I heard about BWJ on The West Wing and I dissed BB King... Is that all it takes to make me ignorant?

Why all the fuss??
I've been a blues fan for about 40 years. Have listened to a lot of blues over the years on vinyl, cassettes, dvds, and radio. I know we're all supposed to worship Blind Willie. It's one of the rules of being a blues fan - like having to refer to Charlie Chaplin as a genius of film comedy. But I just don't get it. Granted he does some very nice slide guitar work. But that cheese-grater-on-the-vocal-chords voice is painful to listen to! Combine that with the often unintelligible lyrics and repetitive repertoire, and you've got, for my money, a just about "unlistenable" package. Try sitting thru a back-to-back listening session of these two CD's. You'll be screaming for "moycy"!! I know NASA sent Blind Willie's music out into space. Just wish it had been my CD set that they put on the Voyager.

As good as it gets
People argue over whether or not this can be called "blues" or "sprirtual" music. That doesn't matter. It is the finest music i've ever heard.