raharris - Posted - 04/28/2015:  07:50:10

Has anyone seen this, a book of Robert Johnson tunes kitted out for banjo?

Robert Johnson for Banjo

Known as the father of blues Guitar, Johnson's tunes have been played on banjo forever. And since many of them started out in open tuning the transition to banjo has to be that much easier.  Still, I wonder what the author has to offer? And I wonder how slide-oriented tunes are treated. If anyone has an insight into this book let us know!

Songs include: Cross Road Blues (Crossroads) * Drunken Hearted Man * From Four Until Late * Hell Hound on My Trail * I Believe I'll Dust My Broom * I'm a Steady Rollin' Man (Steady Rollin' Man) * Kind Hearted Woman Blues * Love in Vain Blues * Me and the Devil Blues * Ramblin' on My Mind * Stop Breakin' down Blues * Sweet Home Chicago * They're Red Hot * 32-20 Blues * Walkin' Blues.

timifill - Posted - 04/28/2015:  07:59:04

It looks cool - a lot of alternate tunings.  If you click on the kindle version in amazon, you can preview the first 10 pages or so, including the tab for Crossroads and Drunken Hearted Man.

pgarner - Posted - 04/28/2015:  08:48:07

I've had the book for about 6 weeks. It's a must-buy. Accurately tabbed, and works beautifully for banjo. A lot of varied tunings, but they mirror Johnson's funky guitar tunings. I'm working my way around the book and learning a lot. The only negative, IMHO, is that there is no accompanying CD; the authors recommend getting Johnson's complete recordings, but I'd appreciate being able to hear each transcription on banjo. Otherwise, a 5-star.

raharris - Posted - 04/28/2015:  09:02:49

Thanks for the review, pgarner.

BTW I lived in Westborough in the 70s.  I was in high school so a. I don't remember much and b. what I do remember of the area is probably wrong!

Zischkale - Posted - 04/28/2015:  09:07:42

quote:

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Originally posted by pgarner

I've had the book for about 6 weeks. It's a must-buy. Accurately tabbed, and works beautifully for banjo. A lot of varied tunings, but they mirror Johnson's funky guitar tunings. I'm working my way around the book and learning a lot. The only negative, IMHO, is that there is no accompanying CD; the authors recommend getting Johnson's complete recordings, but I'd appreciate being able to hear each transcription on banjo. Otherwise, a 5-star.

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Thanks for the info on the book! I'm curious about it as well, do you know who the author is? Amazon just has author listed as Robert Johnson! 

Would like to try and hear the arranger's playing if at all possible.

tstew - Posted - 04/28/2015:  10:25:17

You might also check out "Blues Banjo" by Fred Sokolow. It has audio tracks you download so you can hear what it's supposed to sound like. I like it a lot.

raharris - Posted - 04/28/2015:  10:46:20

I like Sokolow -- I have some of his slide guitar stuff and find both his approach and his repertoire useful.  I have not seen the banjo book, but here is a review of it on our own BHO

Review of Sokolow, Blues Banjo

banjo bill-e - Posted - 04/28/2015:  10:54:42

Patrick, do the arrangements sound like a "banjo" arrangement? I looked at the tab sample and it seemed to be very guitar-like. So I guess that my question is, is this playing RJ's guitar parts on a banjo or a new banjo arrangement of RJ songs?