If you know anything about bluesy fingerpicking with some sanctification, you’ve probably heard of the famous Rev. Gary Davis, who’s guitar work and preaching influence a surfeit of white rock and blues guitarists. The man who is lesser known is Blind Willie Johnson, who actually was a major inspiration for Davis, and this 2 disc 30 song collection of his “holy blues’ is the essence of gospel music with a rural guitar feel.
Johnson’s voice has that earthy and gritty feel, as if he’d been street preaching his whole life. His unique finger work is a mix of delta blues and the back porch of church, with each message either a word of encouragement, testimony, Sunday School lesson or prophetic warning. Tunes like “Jesus Is Coming Soon” and “John The Revelator” mix apocalyptic visions with strings, while Johnson testifies on “Praise God I’m Satisfied” and “If It Had Not Been For Jesus”. Words to uplift the weak are heard on “You’ll Need Somebody On Your Bond” and harrowing visions akin to Ezekiel are given on “Dark Was The Night” and ”Can’t Nobody Hide From God”. This guy had the FEELIN’!