Music

The Blues Time Machine

KPLU All Blues host John Kessler has expanded "The Blues Time Machine," which has been a popular segment on his weekend blues shows. The weekly series tracks one great blues song through history - from its earliest recording to its latest and sometimes, with some surprising interpretations. "The Blues Time Machine" airs on KPLU on Fridays at 12:10 p.m. during the "Blue Plate Special," and on All Blues Saturdays and Sundays at 8 and 11 p.m.

Blind Willie Johnson cared about 'The Soul of a Man,' others dug the music

KNKX Public Radio | By John Kessler

Published January 11, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST

Blind Willie Johnson was a bluesman and a preacher. His lyrics were spiritual, and his music was blues.

Though he only made 30 recordings, his work is a lasting part of the blues legacy. Early players like Son House and Fred McDowell played his tunes, and his influence reached people like Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin. In 1930 he recorded “The Soul of a Man” accompanied by his wife, Willie B. Harris.

Interesting note: Blind Willie Johnson’s song “Dark Was The Night” is one of 31 musical pieces on a golden record onboard the spacecraft Voyager 1. Launched in 1977, it is the farthest man-made object from Earth.

David Jacobs-Strain is a younger blues player who has done his homework on early blues. His 2004 recording of “The Soul of a Man” honors the integrity of the tune while adding atmospheric touches that take it into the new century.

Two years later in 2006 , Irma Thomas recorded “The Soul of A Man” with minimal accompaniment. Appearing on her CD "After the Rain," which came out following Hurricane Katrina. In Thomas' version, the song took on further poignancy.

That same year Eric Burdon, who led the Animals in the 60s, came out with a blues oriented album that included a version of “The Soul of a Man." He performs it live in this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5UNT7mZi3g

Here are the complete versions of “The Soul of a Man”:

Blind Willie Johnson “The Soul of a Man” 1930

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-995130.mp3

David Jacobs-Strain “The Soul of a Man” 2004

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-995129.mp3

Irma Thomas “The Soul of a Man” 2006

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-995128.mp3

Eric Burdon “The Soul of a Man” 2006

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-995126.mp3

“The Blues Time Machine” is a weekly feature tracking one great blues song through time. The series is hosted by John Kessler, from KPLU’s “All Blues,” and is published here every Friday and airs on KPLU 88.5 on Fridays at 12:10 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.