32-20 Blues

32-20 Blues

Robert Johnson

Recorded: San Antonio, Texas, 1936
Released: 1937
Company: Vocalion Records, American Record Corporation
Format: 78 RPM Vinyl Record (Single)

As with many historic and modern blues songs, Robert Johnson’s 1938 song “32-20 Blues” draws from Skip James' 1931 song “22-20 Blues.” Borrowing lyrics and themes from blues artists is a tradition that has continued among blues musicians for decades.

Although Johnson is credited as one of the most influential blues musicians in history, he only recorded 29 songs. These songs were recorded in two separate sessions in 1936 and 1937 – first in San Antonio, and then in Dallas. As well, Johnson received very little recognition or fame during his life, and it was only after he died that his audience realized his true genius in the blues genre.

Johnson was heavily influenced – and possibly learned his musical techniques – from listening to the radio. After entering the studio, each of Johnson’s songs were timed at less than three minutes, making them short enough to fit on 10 inch, 78 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) vinyl records. Known as “singles,” these records allowed the songs to be played on the radio.

Here is Johnson’s famous Gibson L1 guitar. In the early 1990’s, Gibson reproduced Johnson’s signature L1 and released it to the public:

Sebby 123. Robert Johnson Gibson L1. Photograph. 7 Oct 2011. Web. 7 Nov 2014.

Despite such a short catalogue of music, Johnson became credited as one of the founders of blues by musicians in the genre. Eric Clapton, known as one of the most accomplished and skilled blues guitarists in history, states: “I have never found anything more deeply soulful than Robert Johnson.”

“Robert Johnson Biography.” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 2014. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Inc. Web. 3 Nov 2014.