Music Review: God Don't Ever Change: The songs of Blind Willie Johnson

He may not be as famous as his namesake Robert Johnson but he and Blind Willie have much in common. Although their recording careers were separated by a decade, Robert in the 30s and Blind Willie in the 20s, they shared a talent as ridiculously skilled slide guitar players, as well as only providing 30 songs.

Blind Willie Johnson was born in Pendalton, Texas, in 1897. He wasn't born blind but as a result of an assault by his stepmother he was blinded at the age of seven.

After that he did what many other blind black men did. He hit the road, singing and playing for a living.

Between 1927 and 1930 he laid down a total of 29 songs and alternate takes across five recording sessions. His then wife Willie B Brown provided back-up vocals on a number of tracks.

Now, to the long overdue tribute album, God Don't Ever Change, the Songs of Blind Willie Johnson.

Tom Waits couldn't be a more appropriate interpreter of Blind Willie's music, so The Soul of a Man, and John the Revelator are highlights, the latter already familiar to most blues fans because of Son House's version, following his rediscovery in the 1960s.

Lucinda Williams' covers of Nobody's Fault But Mine and God Don't Ever Change are equally compelling while the husband and wife duo of Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi bring a stunning authenticity to Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning.

The Cowboy Junkies' take on Jesus Coming Soon is lifted by a hypnotic sampling of Blind Willie's original 1928 recording.

Blind Willie Johnson may have left us in 1945 but with this release his music is at last recognised for its outstanding contribution to the gospel and blues songbook.

Rating: 5/5 stars.