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Rating: Blind Willie Johnson became blind around 1910 when he was seven years old. The easiest thing that a Texan "negro" could do in the first half of the 20th century was to end up covered in oil tied to a pole by the k.k.k.—the ancestors of those who today hide their hoods, drive blue blazers, and vote "bushit." Blind Willie managed not to end up on that pole and learned to play the guitar all by himself and with a black, hoarse voice, sang his soul into flight over this sad earth. He couldn’t see but literally invented a left-handed way to play the guitar with strength. Legend has it that one day he was arrested because with the sheer power of his voice, which miraculously contained all the bent backs in the white fields, he incited a strike against those who wanted them as slaves (the same ones today), elevating himself to pure spirit as only someone who wallows in the mud can do.
More than a century after his passage on this vile earth, his voice still gives us chills. Therefore, it is our duty today to transform all this into myth and gift it to our children’s children so they do the same. It doesn’t matter who profits from the soul of a man today, just get hold of it somehow and on your iPods, blazing with modernity, let these rough recordings like wood and this voice of a black angel flow. Today, in the year 2005 A.D., Blind Willie Johnson belongs to us; he is part of our mythology; he is the soul of all of us. It is something called "blues".
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
14 John the Revelator (03:20)
Well, who's that a-writing? John The Revelator
Who's that a-writing? John The Revelator
Who's that a-writing? John The Revelator
A book of the seven seals.
Tell me what's John a-writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a-writing? Ask The Revelator
What's John a-writing? Ask The Revelator
A book of the seven seals.
Father, who art worthy, (undecipherable) and holy
Bound up for some, Son of our God
Daughter of Zion, Judas the Lion
He redeemed us, and He bought us with his blood.
CHORUS
John the Revelator, great advocator
Gets'em on the battle of Zion
Lord, tellin' the story, risin' in glory
Cried: Lord, (undecipherable)
CHORUS
Well Moses to Moses, Watching the flock
Saw the bush where they had to stop
God told Moses, pull off your shoes
Out of the flock, a-well a-you I choose
CHORUS
Father, who art worthy, (undecipherable) and holy
Bound up for some, Son of our God
Daughter of Zion, Judas the Lion
He redeemed us, and he bought us with his blood.
CHORUS
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Other reviews
By assurdino
Blind Willie Johnson had a voice that dwelled in his throat and seemed to emerge with difficulty due to the immense effort of the man of faith.
Listen to this record and the sparks will invade your room and then enter inside you. And your soul will twist, and your blood will boil.
