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...A Tribute To The Music Of Blind Willie Johnson. Originally released in 2003. Sometimes it seems that the world is filling up with tribute and compilation records, yet the folk tradition reminds us that songs wither and die if they're not performed, and that songs from the past constantly surprise us with their relevance for our contemporary world. Blind Willie Johnson, the great Texas gospel slide guitarist, produced a remarkably intense body of spiritual music. He was born 100 years ago. Before the Great Depression, he recorded many sides for Columbia Records, but by the end of his life, was performing on street corners and at church benefits. This collection of specially-commissioned performances is drawn from a wide variety of the world's finest contemporary roots performers: Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin, Martin Simpson, 3 Mississippistaphas 3, Helen Watson & Heather Greenbank, Julie Murphy & Richard Llewellyn, Mike Seeger & Alexia Smith, The Henrys with Mary Margaret O'Hara, Ginny Clee, Bob Copper & the Latest English Country Blues Band, The Positively Testcard, Peter Stampfel & Gary Lucas, and Mike Cooper. Each musician has taken a piece from Johnson's repertoire and added their own signature interpretation. All profits are being donated to schools and charities working with disadvantaged children.
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