Hellhound On My Trail Songs

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Product Details

Artist : Robert (Trib.) Johnson
Format : Compilation
Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0089408352126
Label : Universal Music Group
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : Music
Release Date : 2008-03-17
UPC : 089408352126

ASIN : B000059LD2

Track Listings for

Disc-1
1. Crossroads (The Crossroad Blues) - Tony Braunagel, Taj Mahal, Reggie McBride
2. Traveling Riverside Blues
3. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day - Chris Thomas King
4. I'm a Steady Rollin' Man - Carey Bell, Robert Lockwood, Jr.
5. Me and the Devil Blues - Eric Gales, Norris Johnson
6. Walkin' Blues
7. When You Got a Good Friend - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Chris Thomas King
8. Kindhearted Woman Blues - Bob Margolin, Pinetop Perkins
9. Dust My Broom - Joe Louis Walker
10. Come on in My Kitchen - James Cotton, Chris Thomas King
11. Stones in My Passway - Lucky Peterson
12. Walking Blues - Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks
13. Hellhound on My Trail - James Cotton, Alvin Youngblood Hart
14. Stop Breakin' Down Blues - Carl Weathersby
15. Sweet Home Chicago - Bob Margolin, Pinetop Perkins
16. Milkcow's Calf Blues - Carl Carlton, Robert Palmer

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.com

An anthology celebrating the music of Robert Johnson, Hellhound on My Trail collects versions of the master's songs by such latter-day luminaries as Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Robert Lockwood Jr., and Joe Louis Walker, along with such relative newcomers as Alvin "Youngblood" Hart and Susan Tedeschi. While few would argue that any of these are definitive versions, there are some nice additions to the Johnson cover canon.

David "Honeyboy" Edwards's slower, less maniacal take on "Traveling Riverside Blues" proves a nice change of pace, though one would be better off digging up their old copies of Exile on Main Street for a more interesting interpretation of "Stop Breaking Down" than the one here by Carl Weathersby. All in all, a pleasant diversion, but one must add that Johnson's legacy seems better carried on by the likes of the White Stripes and Will Oldham than some of the more "traditional" acts on this compilation. --Mike Johnson

Customer Reviews

Interesting but Disappointing (2002-08-06)

An interesting compilation of many of Robert Johnson's most famous songs, with wide variation in the quality of performance. The album is worth having if you're interested in blues, especially if you like to understand the roots of the music and its development over time. As a series of performances, however, the album is fairly weak.

The album features some well known blues singers such as Taj Mahal, and Honeyboy Edwards, now a very old man, who actually played with Robert Johnson. Edwards' interpretation of of a Johnson song may well reflect Johnson's actual style quiteaccurately.

Overall, this is an album that will interest committed blues fans, but probably won't appeal much outside that group.

Between the blood, sweat & tears, truly as good as it gets! (2002-04-14)

Not an alternative to the original recordings of Johnson by any means. But, definitely the perfect way to enjoy the sheer humanity & beauty of these songs; at least from the perspective that there is a potential to re-discover them and to gain an enhanced appreciation via recordings with 100% better fidelity than the originals. (That is - assuming that you have a pretty decent system and fidelity is of importance. Believe me, Telarc's Pure Digital Mastering will put these guys in your living room!). At least this was my experience with "Hellhound. . .", especially with the more straight forward re-interpretations. In fact most of the tracks are acoustic & straight forward covers, which is the difference between this CD and other "Tribute" albums (Let's face it, Robert Johnsons songs have been covered and re-interpreted for years). Incidentally, If you like or love this cd, you'll also want to check out "Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues" released by Shanachie a year before Telarc's "Hellhound. . . " and the perfect companion CD. I always play them back-to-back . One last note: I will (and hopefully you will also) totally disregard the above editorial review which summarizes this release as merely a "pleasant diversion". It is not dishonest to state you personal preference or opinion, But to add that Johnson's legacy seems better carried on by the likes of the "White Stripes" than by the likes of "Honeyboy" Edwards, Robert Lockwood jr., or Clarence "Gatemouth"???. . . .Whatever!

Tribute to the King of the Delta Blues (2002-01-17)

Music fans have reason to be wary when it comes to tribute albums; many of these recordings feel like half hearted attempts to cash in on a great artist's name and feature performers with little connection to the artist they are paying tribute to. I am happy to report that this is not the case with Telarc's Hellhound on my Trail: Songs of Robert Johnson. This CD features an all star cast of modern blues artists covering songs originally written and performed by the "King of Delta Blues," Robert Johnson. The performances vary from straightforward cover versions to some innovative arrangements of Johnson's work.

The disc opens with Taj Majal singing the familiar "Crossroads" in a deep, authoritative growl. Blues stalwarts Robert Jr. Lockwood and Carey Bell turn out a fine version of "I'm a Steady Rollin' Man." Two veterans of Muddy Water's band, Bob Margolin and Pinetop Perkins team up for performances of "Kindhearted Woman Blues" and "Sweet Home Chicago", featuring Bob and Pinetop on vocals respectively. The interplay between Bob's blistering delta guitar and Pinetop's piano makes for especially nice listening. Another highlight is an innovative arrangement of "Stones in My Passway" featuring Lucky Peterson on 9-string guitar. Listen carefully for the quote from Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" that is slipped into the arrangement. Fans of Joe Louis Walker's recent acoustic work will enjoy his version of "Dust My Broom." The disc features a total of 16 tracks, which are mostly excellent performances.

Hellhound on my Trail should appeal to both casual listeners and serious blues fans alike. For serious fans, this disc features some heartfelt performances of Robert Johnson's material by some of today's finest blues musicians. For more casual listeners, this disc is an excellent way to become more familiar with the music of a blues legend.

Blues as they are meant to be (2001-07-07)

Robert Johnson remains one of the most influental artists in blues history, and his short life provided us all with a glimpse of what blues music is meant to be. Simple, passionate and powerful. This compilation of modern blues artists and classic blues artists (including friend and music partner, the wonderful Robert Lockwood Jr.) paying tribute to Robert Johnson is an excellent tribute. It is what all tributes should be...respectful, thankful and well executed. The artists on this disc provide stripped down versions of Johnson's songs, and it is a refreshing reminder of what good blues music is all about. Highly recommended for all fans of the blues. Essential listening for Robert Johnson fans.

Five Plus Stars (2001-06-11)

While blues music has always been an ever-evolving art form, there are essential elements deeply rooted in the genre that simultaneously offer continuity and growth to blues form. Content of lyric, song structure, melody and instrumental dynamic, controlled arrangements, the walking bass line, the metronomic "anti-fill" drum discipline, authentic emotional vocal inflections, microtonal sensitivity and control, creative lead lines and memorable riffs in a 12 or 16 bar box, etc. are all elements that make great blues music. The beauty and subtle complexity of a properly executed bottleneck slide guitar composition, for example, is sheer joy.

Alas, high volume, sloppy song writing and structure, foot pedal gadgets, and fancy studio techniques have dominated modern blues music to the point of homogenization. What passes for modern blues is often reworked rock 'n roll. It seems that few modern blues artists, producers, and engineers today care about producing a blues recording that is true to the art form.

Listening to the modern yet authentic interpretations of Robert Johnson's music on this disc makes me happy and sad at the same time. Happy because the talent and treatment of Johnson's material is of such high quality; so reverent; and so well arranged and executed. Sad because we rarely get to hear great original music from modern artists that is of this caliber. I don't think it is because the talent doesn't exist. It may be that the business of making music combined with the boutique aspect of the blues art form has relegated it to the ultra-specialty pile where few gems are ever heard, or even attempted.

This is a fantastic compilation of modern artists interpreting the great songs of Robert Johnson. These are authentic, heart-felt interpretations of a blues legend's music. This release will most assuredly be a strong Handy and maybe even Grammy nominee. Thanks to the talented blues artists and Telarc for this release.

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