Sorry for the delay folks, life got in the way a little bit this week! Time to catch up.
Anyhow, we get a Robert Johnson two-fer this week. Since we already talked about Johnson the man in the previous post, let's talk about the song. Hellhound On My Trail was recorded in 1937 in Johnson's final recording session. In keeping with the theme of Johnson meets Satan, the book tells us that the image of the devil's dogs coming to drag sinners to hell was a popular telling in Southern churches at the time. Like the character in the song who is travelling from town to town, Johnson lived a nomadic lifestyle as well. In this recording we just hear Johnson and his guitar, playing some bottle neck (so called for using the neck of a bottle on your finger as a slide).
Thoughts:
Holly:
Hellhound on My Trail (Robert Johnson): It’s a Robert Johnson double-header this week! I found Hellhound on My Trail a little bit of a letdown after Cross Road Blues. I think that’s not because of any particular fault to this song, but just because Cross Road Blues is a way better example of his grindy voice and huge guitar sound. Still, there’s something creepy and haunting about this song that I really appreciate. On a technical note, how does he hum so loud? I have to admit I tried to hum as loudly as possible when I was home by myself, with terrible results! This recording sounds like there’s a really quick fadeout at the end, so I wonder if this is another example of artists phoning in the ending of their songs! 4/5
Kelly:
Completely agree with Holly. Cross Road Blues is just a better song and better showcases Johnson's voice. His voice sounds more nasal and plaintiff in this song and his guitar playing is more interesting in the previous song as well. The song itself is a pretty good song, I'm just not crazy about it. It's also too bad the recording quality is not great - I would have loved to hear him in person to get the full affect! Also, the end is weird - not the repeat and fade that we're used to, just quick fade. 3/5
Hellhound on my Trail
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