Anthology of American Folk Music
Volume 2: Social Music, Track 52

JOHN THE REVELATOR
Blind Willie Johnson

Recorded Atlanta, GA: April 20, 1930
Blind Willie Johnson, vocal and guitar; Angeline Johnson, vocal
Originally released on Columbia 14530D


Some of the most popular African-American religious songs ever recorded were made by guitar evangelist, Blind Willie Johnson (1900-1949) from Beaumont, Texas. He was born near Marlin, Texas in 1900 and became blind at age seven when lye was thrown in his face. Singing with a gravely and powerful voice, Johnson recorded thirty songs which were popular with rural blacks. Johnson played on the streets and in the Baptist Church throughout his career. Johnson's songs have been recorded by numerous blues and rock performers over the years, including Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, and Bob Dylan. His song "If I Had My Way" was a very popular during the 1960s as performed by Peter, Paul and Mary. In 1949, Johnson's house caught on fire and, although he survived the fire, he became wet and died from the resulting pneumonia having been refused admission to a hospital.

FOR ADDITIONAL RECORDINGS of Blind Willie Johnson see: The Complete Blind Willie Johnson (COL 52835c); Sweeter as the Years Go By (YZ 1078c); Blind Willie Johnson, 1927-1930 (FW RBF10c); His Story, Annotated and Documented (FW 3585c); Praise God I'm Satisfied (YZ 1058c); and the collections Negro Religious Music, Vol. 1 (BC 17a); Legends of the Blues (COL 46215c); The News and the Blues (COL 46217c); The Slide Guitar, Bottles, Knives and Steel (COL 46218c); Preachin' the Gospel (COL 46779c); Great Blues Guitarists: String Dazzlers (COL 47060c); The Gospel Tradition: It's Roots and Branches (COL 47333c); The Gospel Sound (COL 57160c); They Sing Praises (COL 67007c); The Promised Land (COL 66969c); Country Gospel Song (FW RBF19c); Jazz Vol. 2: The Blues (FW 2802c); Blues Masters, Vol. 15 (RH 71126c); Nearer My God to Thee (Roots 304a); Southern Sanctified Singers (Roots 328a); Texas Country Music, Vol. 1, 1927-1936 (Roots 312a); The Blues (SI 101c); and Before the Blues, Vol. 2 (YZ 2016c).

OTHER RECORDED VERSIONS include:

Gospel: as John the Revelator: The Dixie Hummingbirds (VG 77014c); Phil Keaggy (Myrrh 7016997618c).

Blues: as John the Revelator: Andy Cohen, Bill Ellis, and Eleanor Ellis (MMC 8006d); Son House (VG 77014c, COL 48867c); Johnny Nicholas (Antones 0032 c). 

Folksong revival: as John the Revelator: Harry Belafonte (RCA 2953a); Stanley Wilson (MGM 2076a).

Bluegrass: as John the Revelator: The Hart Brothers (OH 70085a); Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver (SGH 3765c).

Rock: as John the Revelator: John the Revelator (Decca 6419002c); Brian Ritchie (SST 141c); The Spiders (BF 15673c); as This is Serious/John the Revelator: The Silencers (RCA 3092c).