Hellhounds & Highways

Somewhere along a lonely Mississippi highway, the story goes, a young bluesman met the devil at a crossroads and traded his soul for the ability to play guitar like no one before him. Truth? Folklore? Nearly ninety years after Robert Johnson’s mysterious death, the legend still haunts American music. This Friday on Deeper Roots, we’re chasing that legend down Highway 61, through tales of devilish bargains, restless spirits, haunted souls, and the musicians who kept the mystery alive. From Johnny Winter and Lucinda Williams to Tom Waits, the Handsome Family, and Johnny Cash, it’s two hours of dark Americana, blues, and musical storytelling. We won’t hear a single Robert Johnson recording, but his shadow will be everywhere.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumYearStart At
1Johnny WinterHighway 61 RevisitedWhite Hot Blues199700:00
2The Charlie Daniels BandThe Devil Went Down To GeorgiaA Decade Of Hits197907:35
3Steve EarleThe Devil's Right HandCopperhead Road198811:09
4Tom WaitsWay Down In The HoleFranks Wild Years198714:06
5John Hammond Jr.Cross Road BluesAt The Crossroads : Blues Of Robert Johnson200317:33
6Lucinda Williams2 Kool 2 Be 4-GottenCar Wheels on a Gravel Road199820:34
7John Lee Hooker & Ben HarperBurnin' HellThe Best Of Friends199829:42
8Robert Nighthawk And Houston StackhouseBlack Angel BluesMasters Of Modern Blues199434:35
9Howlin' WolfEvil (Is Going On)Smokestack Lightning /The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960195438:03
10Johnny CashAin't No GraveAmerican VI: Ain't No Grave201040:53
11The Handsome FamilyThe Bottomless HoleSinging Bones200343:39
12Robert Lockwood Jr.32-20 BluesDelta Crossroads200051:12
13Johnny Shines Blues BandDynaflow BluesBlues Masters Vol. 15: Slide Guitar Classics199354:20
14David Honey Boy EdwardsSweet Home ChicagoBlues Blues: December 10th 1975197556:53
15Ry CooderWillie Brown BluesCrossroads19861:01:04
16R. L. Burnside & The Sound MachineGoing Away BabyMOJO #332 – The Black Keys Present The Hill Country Blues20211:08:19
17North Mississippi AllstarsPo Black MaddieShake Hands With Shorty20001:12:42
18Lucinda WilliamsCar Wheels on a Gravel RoadCar Wheels on a Gravel Road19981:17:13
19Lights Out By NineFeel Like Robert Johnson (Pt. 1)Good Morning Mr. Universe20031:24:26
20Al HughesFeel Like Robert Johnson (Part2)Conversations With The Blues20061:28:35
21The Devil Makes ThreeOld Number SevenThe Devil Makes Three20021:32:38
22Tom WaitsGod's Away on BusinessBlood Money20021:35:49
23The White StripesDeath LetterThe White Stripes Greatest Hits20201:38:47
24The Handsome FamilyWeightless AgainThrough the Trees19981:43:13
25Johnny CashThe Man Comes AroundAmerican IV: Man Comes Around20021:46:47
26The Allman Brothers BandStatesboro Blues [Live]Stand Back: The Anthology Disc 120041:54:48