Phonograph Blues by Robert Johnson

Album: King Of The Delta Blues (1936)

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In his short life, Robert Johnson recorded only 29 songs. According to Dave Rubin in his transcription of the Johnson sessions King Of The Delta Blues, "Phonograph Blues" (take 1) is quite similar to "Kind Hearted Woman Blues." Rubin writes, "After surveying Robert Johnson's complete repertoire, it becomes evident that he had, with exceptions, a group of accompaniments that he adapted to various sets of lyrics."
Take 2 of "Phonograph Blues" from these legendary November 1936 sessions was the last song in a long day of recording, and Johnson is said to have used a "mysterious tuning" on it which has been called the Aadd9 tuning, E-B-E-A-C♯-E. He used the same tuning on "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom." >>
Suggestion credit:
Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 2

Thomas Muck from Fairfax, VaThe second take was done in Vestapol tuning in the key of Eb. No "mysterious" tuning. Literally NO basis in fact.
Thomas Muck from Fairfax, VaThere is no evidence that Robert Johnson ever used a tuning called "Aadd9". This was invented by some rock guy and promoted in Guitar Player magazine, and picked up by Rubin in his transcription book. Complete garbage. Johnson used Spanish, Vestapol, Cross-note, and standard tunings like everyone else in his day. Robert Johnson experts all agree on this.

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