Crossroads Duel

Ah yes, the mythic tale of Robert Johnson selling his soul to the Devil, (which never happened click on the Robert Johnson tag below!!!) this is the retelling of the story with Robert Johnson's friend Willie Brown trying to win back his soul, so the young guitar playing star "White Lighting" (Ralph Macchio) battles the evil Stevie Vai for Willie's soul!!! Of course Ralph is not playing guitar but the amazing Ry Cooder (however the classical break towards the end is probably Stevie Vai) Of course, the whole thing is bunk, but ya gotta love it! Sure it plays on the worse sterotypes of the blues, but that is one great guitar battle.

Crossroads Guitar Festival

Big gig Saturday in Chicago, it is the Crossroads Guitar Festival. It is hard to tell from the website if there are any tickets left. You might want to check out the website here. As you know this is an Eric Clapton event, and features a ton of great guitar players. Here is a list of who will be there.

Jeff Beck, Doyle Bramhall II, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Buddy Guy, BB King, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee, Los Lobos, John Mayer, John McLaughlin, Willie Nelson, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Robbie Robertson, Hubert Sumlin, The Derek Trucks Band, Jimmie Vaughan, Johnny Winter, and Steve Winwood.



Of course, I can guarantee that a lot of misinformation about Robert Johnson will be spread about him. Given that the festival is named after one of Robert's most misunderstood songs, and the myth that has grown around it, thanks to Tommy Johnson, and Son House. However, it should be a good show. If you can make it to the show, just ignore the history:-)

Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Lineup for 2007

Here is a link to the upcoming Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues show. One of the shows features Chris Thomas King who played TOMMY JOHNSON in the movie O Brother Where art thou. Now the reason I emphasised Tommy Johnson's name, is once again poor Robert Johnson was dragged through the mud as the Argus Leader claims that Chris King was playing Robert Johnson. Anyone who saw the movie remembers that Tommy Johnson was picked up on the crossroads just after he sold his soul to the devil. Tommy Johnson did say that he sold his soul to the devil on the crossroads to learn to play the blues. Somehow over the years that story was turned around and put on Robert. Most likely it is due to Robert Johnson's song Crossroads. Robert Lockwood Jr. insisted to the end of his life that his step father never sold his soul, or talked about selling his soul to play the blues. However, typical of most reporters too busy to even Google the facts, and once again Robert is down on the ol' crossroads selling his soul to play the blues. Sad indeed.