Tag: Robert Johnson

Lemon Squeezed Blues

Led Zeppelin.  Four English dudes who could really play, but also got their hands caught in the blues- songwriting-plagiarism cookie jar.  Despite that, I am a fan.  I would say LZ is the one band which really made me realize I like, if not love, blues music.    Personally, their first two albums (self-titled, and the cleverly titled Led Zeppelin II) are my favorites.  

If you are into the blues and/or Led Zeppelin, I would recommend the band’s BBC Sessions recording.    Somewhere in the P.G.E. (Post Grunge Era), I snagged the double cassette version of this one and was not disappointed.   When it was released in 1997, classic rock radio picked up on their cover of Robert Johnson’s “Travelling Riverside Blues” and it got plenty of airplay.

While I think our radio friends tried to run this one into the ground back in the day, I actually enjoyed listening to it today.  The song starts with a sort of excuse-me slide guitar intro by Jimmy Page then legendary drummer John Bonham and the others lock into the groove.    I could be wrong….maybe it’s the mix, but it sounds like Bonham’s drums are sort of in the background on this one. LZ’s lyrics are completely different than the original, but around the 3:30 mark you hear Robert Plant throw in several references to the mysterious, influential, epic blues dude Robert Johnson.

“Why don’t you come into my kitchen
She’s a kindhearted lady. She studies evil all the time
She’s a kindhearted woman. She studies evil all the time

Squeeze my lemon ’til the juice runs down my leg
Squeeze it so hard, I’ll fall right out of bed
Squeeze my lemon, ’til the juice runs down my leg”

Here is the original/inspiration.

There’s also “The Lemon Song” on Led Zeppelin II, but I digress.   My other bluesy favorites on BBC Sessions are the ten-minute version of the Willie Dixon/J.B. Lenoir tune “You Shook Me”, which was originally recorded by Muddy Waters if I’m not mistaken.  Not only that, but there are two versions of  the Willie Dixon-penned “I Can’t Quit You, Baby.”

 There are other oddities (“The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair”, “Sunshine Woman”)   and choices on BBC Sessions including live versions of “Stairway to Heaven” and “The Immigrant Song”, but the bluesy stuff works best for me.  Some blues purists may not like The Mighty Balloon, but I do.  Call it blues rock if it makes you feel better…then go squeeze a Led Lemon.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!

Crossroads Mojo

Open a book about rock n roll, and it usually starts with legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnson. He’s the guy who allegedly sold his soul to the devil for the ability to be a great guitarist.

Looking back at it now, the 1986 film “Crossroads” was an awakening for me. I didn’t know who Robert Johnson was or anything about blues music. I don’t think I could have named one film director — let alone this film’s — Walter Hill, who would become one of my favorites. This film is also a great introduction to blues music.

It follows the affable, fresh-faced Eugene Martone (played by Ralph Macchio) on his quest to leave classical music behind and follow his heart as a blues guitar player. Along the way he has to break out the crotchety, old harmonica player Willie Brown (played by Joe Seneca) of a correctional facility. (Incidentally, Willie Brown is referenced in the Robert Johnson song “Crossroad Blues”.) The two go on an adventure to the Mississippi Delta filled with not only blues, but brushes with the law, booze, trains, and pawn shops. They also cross paths with a sultry runaway played by a young Jamie Gertz. She eventually leaves and Eugene purges his emotions into a slide guitar masterpiece (“Feeling Bad Blues” by Ry Cooder.)

One part of Crossroads is a coming of age story. Eugene tries to discover who he is, what he wants, and the price he’s willing to pay for it. In addition, the story is an introduction into blues music and blues folklore. The crossroads theme/deals with the devil are a big piece of that. It also delves into things like mojo hands, which are referenced in some seminal blues songs like “Got My Mojo Working” for example. (Since this blog is titled Mojo Horizon, I feel obligated to elaborate. From what I’ve read, a mojo is essentially a “prayer in a bag” associated with hoodoo/voodoo. It’s usually a charm in a flannel bag and may contain a “lucky hand root” favored by gamblers.)

Some fantastic musicians were involved in the film and the soundtrack: Sonny Terry, Jim Keltner, Arlen Roth, Steve Vai, and Ry Cooder. It’s definitely worth a listen. The script was apparently written by John Fusco for his undergraduate thesis. This film tells a great story and does so with some great music.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!