The guitars of Robert Johnson.

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ธ.ค. 2017
  • We discuss the man who gave the guitar the "bad boy" image!
    A deal with the Devil? OR WORSE: Record label executives?
    We dig deep into the Delta with the help of Jonathan Nicholas and Dave Milsom. Please subscribe to Jon here: / doublecrossingtime
    / jonathannicholasmusic
    Check out and thank Dave here for helping us record: business. pg/Deat...
    I know it's a downer but only a few 100 people are watching my vids to the end so I can't survive on these numbers. To the guys who watch, sub, comment and share...You guys are the best. See you in the next video!
    Owen
  • เพลง

ความคิดเห็น • 550

  • @CIRCLEOFTONE
    @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +83

    5:33 listen to that slide tonality...

    • @GoDamnWeird
      @GoDamnWeird 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Oh yeah, man! Rippin' tone.

    • @purpleeyeseverywhere5889
      @purpleeyeseverywhere5889 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      yeah and it's a metal slide rather than a glass bottle neck, interesting

  • @listentokassandra7968
    @listentokassandra7968 6 ปีที่แล้ว +184

    If I see Robert Johnson in the title, I watch. It's that simple.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      ListenToKassandra Thanks. Hopefully you like it and it fuels your RJ addiction.

    • @listentokassandra7968
      @listentokassandra7968 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Definitely. It was a great video.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Phew!

    • @lovechildmusiccouk
      @lovechildmusiccouk 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      them are not even johnson guitars, whats it all about ??

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@lovechildmusiccouk what?

  • @rickkloek2411
    @rickkloek2411 3 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Jeff Beck said it best. Robert Johnson was my guru. Without him, I would be working at the post office.

    • @rickkloek2411
      @rickkloek2411 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Edison invented the lightbulb. Robert Johnson invented the delta blues. Eric Clapton says the same thing

    • @wandajames143
      @wandajames143 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Maybe Clapton said that. I don’t hear Robert Johnson in Beck’s playing. He’s more Les Paul etc...

  • @rafaelvasquez13
    @rafaelvasquez13 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This was a GREAT video! Thank you for doing this and taking on the challenge! \m/

  • @gvtshorts2024
    @gvtshorts2024 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Brilliant change up Owen. Good to see you with some company...please keep these guitar history lessons coming, they're very entertaining and inspiring for new riffage

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      That’s awesome! I’ll def do more niche meet ups when the right guy/gear crosses my path.

  • @anthonysclafani3963
    @anthonysclafani3963 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    The research & attention to detail you put into your videos never ceases to amaze me. Glad I found your channel, you deserve more subscribers (though 12,000 is quite impressive)

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks Anthony! I think the key is if people start sharing my vids on blues/rock/metal forums/Facebook groups etc then I’ll get the push in subs. I think my vids still lack that something that urges people to share.
      So I’m going to work hard and try and put more effort into the non playing aspects. I tend to treat the talking parts as an afterthought and put all the effort into capture process. I need to treat both equally.

  • @imjason75
    @imjason75 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you for recording this! Great video!!

  • @ShineDawg
    @ShineDawg 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Absolutely amazing, bravo. I wish I was there live for these recordings. I just love the slide sound and the blues

  • @DolkkarToyznstuff
    @DolkkarToyznstuff 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Absolutely awesome! It's cool to not only see these amazing instruments, but also how you (as closely as possible) mimicked the recording atmosphere to try and capture that original sound and tone. You're right, at Circle of Tone you don't mess around. Thanks for sharing such a fantastic video and for the education behind it all as well.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Welcome to the circle! Thanks!

  • @Stevewatson3
    @Stevewatson3 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Johnson and Hopkins acoustic tone is where it's at. Love that you mentioned the importance of the room!

  • @714jud
    @714jud 6 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Great voice and playing! I’ve been a Robert Johnson fan and blues fan and player, since my early teens. Wonderful to hear this degree of skill and passion.
    Thank you!

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you! Check out my other videos on my channel!

  • @RicardoLopez-sd9ym
    @RicardoLopez-sd9ym 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This one was fun love that you are going this back in history much respect as always great stuff man,🤘👌

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I’m just glad that as long as there has been 6 strings, it comes hand in hand with rebellion and fighting spirit. Long may it continue.

  • @juanfichtl2011
    @juanfichtl2011 6 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Hoooooly shit, when that dude started playing I almost crap my pants, it sounds so similar!

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks! Hear more on my channel or my site www.jonathannicholasmusic.com

    • @juanfichtl2011
      @juanfichtl2011 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      will do!

    • @rickkloek2411
      @rickkloek2411 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Sweet home Chicago. Thank you Robert Johnson. He wrote it. Theme song of the 2nd city. CHICAGO

  • @bobbyberetta4206
    @bobbyberetta4206 6 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    The Gunter Hotel where Johnson recorded at is 10min alway from where I live and is a beautiful hotel downtown.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      That’s awesome. We want to plan a trip and record there one day.

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Jealous man, A dream to go visit it.

    • @RavnerRavner
      @RavnerRavner 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      its a great hotel i stayed there in 2009. great little bakery in the lobby. the deli across the street has some boss pizza too.

    • @bombercountyblues
      @bombercountyblues 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@RavnerRavner is it possible to ask for the same room?

    • @RavnerRavner
      @RavnerRavner 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@bombercountyblues it's debatable if anyone remembers the actual room. They might claim to know, but it was 83 years ago! The hotel went through some hard times in the 70s and 80s

  • @SilentAttackTV
    @SilentAttackTV 5 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    Best version of 32-20 Blues I have ever heard, besides the original.

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you so much! Check out my version with my jug band The Rumblestrutters

  • @kurglekreutzer6344
    @kurglekreutzer6344 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Incredibly good. This really was a treat. Thank you!!!

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It was fun. Previously I was really sick so I was glad to have someone else do the hard work. Haha.

  • @danielburford1441
    @danielburford1441 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Robert Johnson is one of my guitar heroes! The delta is were my family is from too i started playing guitar a year ago after hearing him play, there is just something about the blues that I can feel at times when i listen to it.

  • @tomgnau
    @tomgnau 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Wow. You guys nailed the vibe. Well done.

  • @yosephmcjoe9575
    @yosephmcjoe9575 6 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    You guys did great. Didn't expect to see this outta you but I've obsessed with Robert Johnson recently so this is remarkably timed.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Delighted you liked the video. Huge change of pace for me but a welcome one.

  • @BataraKado
    @BataraKado ปีที่แล้ว +2

    wow just wow, just wooooow... that guitar you held owen, the things i would do to be able to record a few takes with it on my music... AWESOME VIDEO!

  • @liveatvictoria6853
    @liveatvictoria6853 6 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    WOW MAN!!! I am well aware what you just played and the level of Difficulty to play like that and sing at the same time, NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE!!!! YOU ARE SO VERY GOOD!!!! You need to be on stage touring the World my friend!!! I am 50 now and I have not heard many in my days who can play as you. VERY GOOD!!! (My Strat got stolen---Three people broke into my house, stabbed me, left me to die and took the 1962 Fender Stratocaster my Late Mother had given me. I was 22 then, and never wanted to see another Guitar ever again, Unless of course it was mine, Never had such luck though) Now I of course wish I'd never given up on it, as I was getting pretty good. Next time 'round I guess. :) So Impressed with your Playing!!! Right On!!!

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      liveatvictoria thank you so much for your kind words, check out my channel for more videos. Really sorry to hear about the incident involving your strat, Id be heartbroken.

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you so much for the kind words they've come a important time for me, check out my channel if you want to see more.
      So sorry to hear what happened. Once again thank you for watching the video.

  • @jaybone23
    @jaybone23 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Damned impressive! Very much liked the playing, and I'm always interested in any discussion of the evolution and techniques of popular music in the fist half of the 20th century.

  • @dixon9
    @dixon9 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Superb! One of the best guitar videos I've seen on TH-cam.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks Paul. Means a lot.

  • @aarondavis57
    @aarondavis57 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Keep up the Robert Johnson stuff guys!

  • @CarnivorousMower
    @CarnivorousMower 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Loved your Hex-mas videos because I'm a metal fan at heart, but this sounds amazing! I have a Robert Johnson CD somewhere, but can't say I've ever given it enough attention.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Awesome. Glad to bring back the blues.

  • @bobohbuboh8604
    @bobohbuboh8604 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Beautiful, incredible work, thank you both!!

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Boboh Buboh Cheers BB!

  • @vladjones2446
    @vladjones2446 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Fantastic, didn't expect you to tackle this, suggests you could dig into anything. I'd like to humbly request a video on Robin Trower Bridge of Sighs, specific similarities with/differences from Hendrix's tone.

  • @leeland446
    @leeland446 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Wow, hearing Johnson's material played on these original axes gives me chills. This was damn great

  • @AndyThomas_mrblitz
    @AndyThomas_mrblitz 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    this might be my favorite video of yours... fantastic!

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Very cool. The feedback is good so I’ll be doing more broad strokes with the channel in the future.

  • @kennethmassey534
    @kennethmassey534 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    You guys are great excellent rendition of 3220 in stones in my pathway 👌🏼🎶🎸🎸🎸🎶.... You've definitely done your homework 👍🏼

  • @lovemetal2467
    @lovemetal2467 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hey man I told my Producer why he should subscribe to your channel. You got a damn good ear, and because of what you you do on your channel for historical musical sound, and how you recreate it.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Adam H. Thanks man! It’s been a lesson for me too.

  • @kennethmassey534
    @kennethmassey534 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I used to sit on Robert Junior Lockwood porch Johnny Shines will come over this is back in Cleveland for early Seventies...👍🏼🎶🎸🎶

  • @pameladiez4933
    @pameladiez4933 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wonderful work.thank you.i love this music,so much.😁💡👍🎸

  • @JohnnyNowhere
    @JohnnyNowhere 6 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    I was wondering if you guys were gonna play into a corner. Thanks for not letting me down.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yep! It’s great to get out of the cookie cutter modern production rules. Nobody likes modern production anyway so why do we all follow the rules?

    • @liberalslayer7445
      @liberalslayer7445 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      When Robert recorded he turned his chair to the corner. I've heard it was because he didn't want anyone to pick up on his style. Not sure if that's the truth or not.

    • @fedeserrone9908
      @fedeserrone9908 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I have heard that Jhonson was recording this way so as not to be seen in the eye while playing

  • @LightningDogg
    @LightningDogg 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Excellent Excellent video. Your comments about Eric Clapton are spot on as he has stated himself. Years ago he did a documentary about recording his Robert Johnson album and in it he admitted there were several songs that he spent considerable time practicing because of the difficulty of playing them like RJ, AND the added difficulty of singing at the same time. Super job👍 (watched under another name, comment under this name😊)

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Delighted you liked it. That difficulty is why people thought he sold his soul. He got impossibly good in two years.

  • @donewithmodernlife
    @donewithmodernlife 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    What a curve ball Owen, definitely didn’t see this coming. Which is why I’m subscribed in the first place. Outstanding work brother.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Haha. Yep. Going from Mayhem to acoustic is pretty extreme.

  • @andrewwheelerguitar
    @andrewwheelerguitar 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Oh my, what a treat of a video. The sound of the guitar facing the corner put the hairs up on my arm. TODAY, Robert Johnson's 117th Birthday. What a treat, a treat, a treat, that Stones in my Passway, amazing.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      andrew wheeler thanks Andy.

    • @coaltrain4423
      @coaltrain4423 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I thought Robert was born in 1911.?

  • @123ubuntu666
    @123ubuntu666 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Tidy Mushes!
    Subbed to Jonathan.
    That guitar rings like a bell!

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks! Tidy like...
      It sure does. Crazy tone on them, there are modern repos but they don't quite have the edge the old ones do.

  • @musicalcompanion5890
    @musicalcompanion5890 6 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    Just to kinda add and i mean this with all due respect to musicians. Since the early Delta blues all the way to the mid late 80's a lot of musicians not all that were involved in some way of their own generation were are all little more gritty and really tough. From led Belly killing a man all the way to Social distortion and a lot of in between musicians have seen and done things that just aren't done anymore. Real struggle and fear for your safety makes a different person. I think a big part of Robert Johnson allure is his life, which was hardly charmed by any means. You can write lyrics about a hard life all you want and play drop A# tuning on 9 strings all day, but to really be authentic is a hard thing to come by now a days. A lot of modern bands grew up with supportive parents very good music /singing lessons and yeah they can play better than Hendrix or SRV but there is a lack of Authentic personality. It may be the beer talking but Tragedy creates beauty. P.s. if you ever visit San Antonio The pints are on me

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Yep. Musicians also get comfortable/rich and lose their edge. Like Sting, Metallica etc.

    • @shannongerbes
      @shannongerbes 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Did Metallica ever have a edge?

    • @camronbay1
      @camronbay1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Social Distortion is not powerful music at all.

    • @bombercountyblues
      @bombercountyblues 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      That's the first time I've heard an American refer to beer in pints.

    • @mma1st105
      @mma1st105 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You are absolutely right. Joe Bonamassa comes to mind. He's a monster player but where is the feeling coming from. Where's the experience of pain and heartache? I understand that's probably a good thing in most professions but not art and definitely not the blues.i guess it means things are getting a little better some things a little worse.

  • @mrsenorsalami
    @mrsenorsalami 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really interesting stuff as always, don't give it up

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks man. I’ll give it a good go in the next few months. Hopefully I make my vids more shareable. I think they lack that something which triggers people to share so I need to fix that.

  • @TheRealRichardBlack
    @TheRealRichardBlack 6 ปีที่แล้ว +35

    Not even all the way through yet. Just wow.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Great! I was apprehensive about the video, with Jon’s back to camera and guerrilla video/audio. So I’m glad the first comment is digging it!

    • @TheRealRichardBlack
      @TheRealRichardBlack 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Nothing wrong with that guitar sound, and the facing the wall recording was Robert Johnson. It's hard to believe that there were so few songs recorded.

    • @utubehound69
      @utubehound69 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      29 songs.

  • @adam05270
    @adam05270 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is a great video. Thank you for making it.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      +Adam Kotch Thanks Adam. It almost didn’t happen because I got sick. I’m glad I pushed through. It was great to get help recording for a change.

  • @hugoagogo4324
    @hugoagogo4324 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    That was some blues playing for a welshman lol fantastic bro

  • @MetalThrashingMan13
    @MetalThrashingMan13 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Amazing video, I've always been interested in the legend of The Crossroads and Robert Johnson

  • @bluespupil414
    @bluespupil414 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for posting this!

  • @MarshallAmpMan
    @MarshallAmpMan หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    wish you'd turn around so I could see what you're doing. Excellent interpretation!!!

  • @officialdirtmcgurt
    @officialdirtmcgurt 6 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    As someone who's lived here in Hazlehurst MS their entire life I can assure you that he created the hype, no devil, no deal. The REAL crossroads is at the cemetery in Beauregard MS. Ike Zimmerman taught him guitar. I work with Ike's granddaughter shes in her 60s. They used parlor style guitars, as they were more easily traveled with. They stayed here in the off season then when the train came thru everyone loaded up and went north to the delta to work in the fields and pick and pack the various harvests. Y'all wanna know his secret? Come down here and work in the 90% humidity in 100°f and 85° f at night with no air con. Its oppressive then there were social factors at that time that were most vicious and appalling. Thats were y'all fail to grasp it 100%
    Thanks for the upload

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Great info. Thanks.

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yes thats the point, the deal is a myth, ike wasn't ☺

    • @officialdirtmcgurt
      @officialdirtmcgurt 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Jonathan Nicholas indeed not. But I'll admit that if he didn't have the lore and mythology Behind him, he would be relegated to the long list of minor bluesman in the footnotes of history. But the marketing of the Faustian bargain pushes him to a plateau of the best of the best Like Son House, Booka white , honey boy Edwards, et al. Hell Tommy Johnson(no relation, allegedly) from Crystal Springs(6 miles north) used the devil story to great success as well. Its crazy how many of these caliber musical geniuses were in a 20 mile radius in that pre war and post war era.

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Robert Hennington I feel his ability is muted by what he was expected to record, bar from preachin blues (up jumped the devil) which is his masterpiece

    • @KevinBrownmusic
      @KevinBrownmusic 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Hi Robert..enjoyed your contribution immensely To know zimmermans granddaughter is a great privilege. I met, was inspired and instructed by Son House. His teaching to this day changed my whole approach. I visit and play in Clarksdale every October...made this a few years ago th-cam.com/video/NUL-YHIexhE/w-d-xo.html....I dared to cover a Johnson tune...here kevinbrown1.bandcamp.com/track/travelling-riverside-blues
      Would love to chat more if you feel so inclined especially about his zimmerman period...one fact in particular...the validity of which might have some bearing on the myth..Im here thekevinbrown@aol.com. regards KB

  • @ryan-yu3qi
    @ryan-yu3qi ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Same tone as Robert Johnson, your playing and the guitar is legit, damn that slide

  • @larsporsena9529
    @larsporsena9529 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great as always Owen!

  • @jeffmorris9893
    @jeffmorris9893 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Amazing. Great work man!

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks Jeff. It was nice to not have to play for a change. Haha.

  • @AMB666
    @AMB666 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That's a very hot idea...great video as usual!

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks man. Glad you like it.

  • @THESESSIONROOM
    @THESESSIONROOM 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Good old corner loading! The guy was sooooooo ahead of his time amd he knew it too!!🎸🎵💜🎶

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yep. So advanced. That’s why people thought he was getting supernatural help.

  • @pcbullets8726
    @pcbullets8726 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Well done! Some great sounding guitars!

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      pcbullets I only wish you could have been in that room with them. The records on the wall acting as diffusers, the curtains, the bare surfaces etc made for a perfect swirly experience. Chills. Thanks for watching!

  • @sempercompellis
    @sempercompellis 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    great job on this video!!!!

  • @WalkenDead
    @WalkenDead 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I can hear it, especially in the words and transitions. Good stuff

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks for listening. It’s a great technique. I’m just glad I didn’t have to play this one!

  • @jdrobinson3468
    @jdrobinson3468 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm genuinely impressed gentlemen

  • @reverse.ferret
    @reverse.ferret 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great video and wonderful playing. That KG14 sounds fantastic in Jonathan's hands. It's been a while since I watched the Johnny Shines interview, but IIRC he mentions that Robert Johnson liked the Kalamazoos and also the (Oscar Schmidt) Stellas. The latter aren't as commonly associated with Johnson as they are with Charlie Patton etc, but I expect he's more likely to have played one than the costlier Gibson. I think that the guitar of an itinerant bluesman in the 1930s would have been very prone to damage (Johnson is known to have liked his women and his whisky and wasn't one to back down from a fight). Replacement guitars would need to be quickly sourced from what was readily available. The Stellas (and other brands made by the Oscar Schmidt Company) were widely distributed, sturdily built and relatively inexpensive.

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Though its generally thought that the L1 RJ was pictured with prob wasnt his aa no one mentions a Gibson in their recollections. But if hw did own the gibson it would prob be the guitar he lost to a hotel fire, which would lead him to busk on the highway with a harmonica with Johnny Shines to raise cash to buy Kalamazoos each.

  • @bwgti
    @bwgti 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This was excellent. Good work!
    You hit it out of the ballpark on this one.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      bwgti I give him a 9/10. It would have been 10 if the Devil turned up and I sold my soul for Tottenham to with the premier league. Thanks for watching!

  • @oldschool3484
    @oldschool3484 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Robert Johnson was a bluesman for aure, but Django Reinhardt was waaaay ahead of his time as well.

    • @triples4good
      @triples4good 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Agreed. Django Reinhardt doesn’t get the love he deserves sometimes.

  • @BeemWeeks
    @BeemWeeks 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great discussion. I have a cool double CD collection of Robert Johnson tracks. Just a fantastic vibe and mood to those recordings.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The vibe is so great. Impossible to recreate. I did sneak in some subtle vinyl warp, machine noise and static/tape simulation to our recording but it's still too pristine/digital. But the trade off is we get more detail/headroom. Thanks for watching!

    • @BeemWeeks
      @BeemWeeks 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Keep up these great videos, guys!

  • @scottwilson7095
    @scottwilson7095 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge

  • @skrugen
    @skrugen 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Circle Of Tone feels like home. Great community.
    Texas bluesmen from the early electric era T-Bone Walker, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Lazy Lester are influences of mine in respect to tone and technique. I play black and industrial metal.
    It's awesome seeing so many metal guitarists digging this video and the blues roots.
    I thought you were going to treat that 1926 Gibson like a baby, but you banged on it beautifully. You and Jonathan nailed this one to the wall.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      That’s great to hear. Love this comment. I’m happy the metal dudes dug this one.

  • @DevianceBand
    @DevianceBand 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Amazing video and very informative (:

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Deviance Delighted you liked it. It was informative for me too.

  • @5150show
    @5150show ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Awesome, just subbed

  • @charlesglaser4868
    @charlesglaser4868 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Awesome video, why do you have your back to the camera? You should be proud!! I have the book, The Search for R.J.!! So very talented, you are! !

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      If you go to 13:30 you see an artists rendition on how Robert Johnson recorded with his back to the room in a corner. We copied the technique for this video. Glad you liked it!

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks! We were recreating RJs set up and he corner loaded. Check out www.Jonathannicholasmusic.com

  • @JanderVK
    @JanderVK 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice! Loved this. Funny story about what Muddy had to say about Johnson. I live right down the street from where Muddy is buried in Alsip, Illinois, USA.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      That’s awesome. Glad you like it. I’ll def shake down other experts to interview in the future.

  • @jackbyrd4921
    @jackbyrd4921 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You are absolutely right if it had not been for Robert Johnson Muddy Waters and other gentleman like them we probably would not have rock and roll today. It is interesting to see a video on how they may have recorded these things considering at the time recording music was really still in its infancy. As for the whole story of Robert Johnson going to the crossroads and selling his soul you're right and what I think you were trying to say that he went to study with someone and came back really good. This surely would have been in the time when people progressed so quickly like that that it would have had it been of let's say an evil nature.But they say that about heavy metal and rock and roll for that matter today.Thank you for making this video it's always interesting to hear about the old school Blues.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks Jack. It’s good to cover both sides of the mythology. But listening back it’s still crazy how good he was for 2 years. So I can see how his peers were freaking out.

  • @image30p
    @image30p ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Amazing guitars and some amazing playing. I don't believe I've heard a better rendition of this style.

  • @ShadyLurk3r92
    @ShadyLurk3r92 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Awesome video man

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      ShadyLurker92 Thanks for watching again dude!

  • @randysimmons9838
    @randysimmons9838 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Cool.....well done!

  • @rivuchowdhury2609
    @rivuchowdhury2609 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A truly marvellous video.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I learned a lot myself. Really happy at the response! Glad you liked it!

  • @echech750
    @echech750 6 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Are the strings also from the 1920s, lol. Seriously, what strings/gauges you have on both guitars? The tone was near perfect!

    • @JonathanNicholas
      @JonathanNicholas 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Ech Ech I use newtone strings heritage series low tension 12s that are hand wound. Nothing beats them. These are bronze but the old blues guys would've prob used nickel strings.

  • @SteveMurrayMusic
    @SteveMurrayMusic 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Those Guitars sound really good, The E F G Riff you played sounded good, I was playing a long with it..

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Cool. This channel is called Circle to bring in the watchers so that’s perfect.

  • @cortarelva
    @cortarelva 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you. Just, thank you.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you! Loving the response!

  • @curtisthomas2670
    @curtisthomas2670 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    A couple years ago l listened to a recording of a radio interview with RJ's mysic tutor Ike Zimmerman's daughter where she spoke about the time RJ spent with her family learning from her father. She recounted how they would practice for many hours. She also said her father taught many others including several women, and was way better than RJ and also composed several of the songs RJ recorded.

  • @davidparry1973
    @davidparry1973 6 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Cool! Love the guitars and playing. Subscribed. I suspect no deal was made, I think maybe Robert was like me in a way. Negative criticism (even from myself) is for some people the best catalyst to spur on hard work and in his case he went and got some lessons. He wanted to be good, so he pursued it fully with dedication. Like so many others. I speculate, but it seems reasonable doesn't it?

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yep. I agree. But it’s fun to give it a sprinkling of mysticism.

    • @slavesforging5361
      @slavesforging5361 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Charlie parker tried hanging with the big boys in the Kansas City after hours jams Bepop jazz guys would do after their shows. he couldn't keep up and they had to throw a cymbol at him to get him to leave the stage. he practiced for a few years, came back and blew the world away. so it certainly can be done. But it is a nice story isn't it?

    • @mikedixon8830
      @mikedixon8830 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      David Parry not according to Son House and Willie Brown.

    • @davidparry1973
      @davidparry1973 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Well, if he did, Lucifer gave him a raw deal. A short life, and the travesty of not being able to be alive to appreciate all of the great music that was inspired by him. Kind of a "Don't Bet the Devil Your Head" vibe lol

    • @klowndogrock
      @klowndogrock 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Raw deal by the Devil? What a shock! That's unheard of! I was always under the impression that the Prince of Darkness was the fairest most honest soul-eating demon around. 😉

  • @Ivegotwormsinme
    @Ivegotwormsinme 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    "so I can't survive on these numbers"
    I've just stumbled on to your page via this video, and being that I always read the descriptions, this is the first impression of you that I get besides the content of what you've posted here.
    I'm sure you know very well that the attention span of the average person is decreasing more and more as time goes by, and it is evident that people are moving on after a short time from your videos if what you say is true. If that's the case, make shorter videos.
    Sometimes people get, for a lack of a better word, desperate feeling, and they say things like "I can't survive on these numbers" and I understand that's just part of your frustration behind people not watching your videos to the end. But that's trying to guilt trip people, man, it really is. I watched this video, and it was GOOD! It was really good, and fun to watch, and you should be proud of it. But it's also TWENTY SIX minutes long, and that's a lot to ask of someone to commit to. You could have done just as well, if not better, by releasing this in parts. You'd get more people watching to the end, and likely get more views all-around.
    Let the content speak for itself, but don't allow it to ramble on until it becomes monotonous.
    If you want to call me an asshole, that's fine, I understand. I don't exactly have anything to show for myself as far as a channel is concerned, so I have absolutely no room to talk. But I have been using this site since 2006, and I like to think that I do have an understanding of how this place operates for the most part.
    In conclusion: Most people are morons, and at times we can all be morons.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I've tightened up my vids and the channel is still dead. It's frustrating but essentially older people don't share/like/comment. Then in the same breath they complain that TH-cam promotes Jake Paul, Rice gum, makeup tutorials and other vapid content while ignoring the fact that kids (early adopters to social media) share, comment and tweet CONSTANTLY about everything they enjoy. So that's why intellectual content is not being pushed by TH-cam etc. The algorithm thinks it's bad content because nobody seems to be interested.
      Unlike kids, adults get offended when people they enjoy watching ask for subs and shares. Like I'm twirling my mustache waiting for a sucker to share or something? It's a simple request to help my channel grow. I spent over a thousand dollars for one video which got hardly any views. So yeah this is unsustainable and I'm making nothing. In fact I've blown a small fortune on this channel.
      I'm hoping we catch up with the kids when it comes to this tech. I'm trying to get into the habit of autoliking anything I enjoy because I used to think it was akin to begging too.

  • @terencestephenmoss2159
    @terencestephenmoss2159 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Brilliant musicianship

  • @whasudr
    @whasudr 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    That gibson L1 could be the one if u look at the pic of him holding it, it has striking similarities of wear around the pickguard area. Unfortunately Johnson never owned the Gibson L1, it was given to him to hold for the sake of the photo. Johnson would not have been able to afford that guitar.

  • @Bjornlundstrom
    @Bjornlundstrom 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great stuff👍

  • @willbower7617
    @willbower7617 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Love your vids

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Cheers Will. Glad to have you in the Circle.

  • @johnmirabile3535
    @johnmirabile3535 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I COULDNT UNDERSTAND THE BIG DEAL ABOUT RJ ,,,WHEN I STARTING PLAYING THE BLUES........NOW, IM HEARING THE GREATNESS AND IM OBSESSED WITH HIS HAUNTING VOICE, MUSIC, AND STORY...LOVE IT!......I THINK WHEN U REALIZE THAT HES THE ONLY ONE PLAYING IN HIS SONGS, AND DARE TO COPY HIS MUSIC, AND TIMING HE MADE UP HIS OWN RYTHM THAT NOONE HAS EVER REPRODUCED CORRECTLY, PLUS HIS LYRICS ARE LIKE LITTLE MOVIES, I GET LOST IN HIS STORIES...HE WAS SCARY/GREAT NO PUN INTENTED!

    • @johnmirabile3535
      @johnmirabile3535 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      AND WITH OUT A DOUBT, THE L-1 IS THE GUITAR I HEARD IT IMMEDIATLY..THE KALAMAZOO IS WAY TO BRIGHT THE L1 HAS THAT WARMTH

  • @deepspacepilot
    @deepspacepilot ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome video

  • @robertlowe5902
    @robertlowe5902 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Holy shit.

  • @davidflint12
    @davidflint12 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    👍👍👀 I hope this channel can stay alive. It is unique in so many ways. I have shared. I love nerd

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for sharing. That is key to the channels success.

  • @paulnyman6739
    @paulnyman6739 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very nice Jonathan and Owen for story on guitars!
    "I went down to the Crossroads...." Owen don't make a deal with....ah oh, nevermind...
    Maybe an Acoustic or Unplugged series of videos next???
    Some really interesting stuff on your channel, don't throw in the towels just yet could be divine intervention on the way!
    Seriously though I hope everything CoT picks up in the New Year 2018.
    Thanks for all in 2017!

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks Paul. I’m going to try and improve my output and quality.

  • @fernforwood3989
    @fernforwood3989 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    All roads lead back to The Delta.

  • @EpictheEpicest
    @EpictheEpicest 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You guys are spot this time. Great video.

  • @section1595
    @section1595 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    When I first started playing guitar I was given a tape…a cassette tape of early Bob Dylan & Robert Johnson. That along with Led Zeppelin live DVDs, Guns N Roses & funny enough Garth Brooks. What a wonderful world to grow up in with music. Lest I forget we owned a bar in the south. So, Lynard Skynard, .38 Special & local musicians was a given. 🎸 🤘🏻
    At 16:42 ish that reminds me of Leadbelly “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”

    • @threeg6966
      @threeg6966 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Owned a bar in the south? And you misspelled Lynyrd Skynyrd???

  • @guitarofdestiny
    @guitarofdestiny 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is really good man. Damn good.

  • @davysmith9901
    @davysmith9901 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This guy has that 3 finger roll down. Impressed

  • @seantracy5624
    @seantracy5624 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for this. I am a Metalhead, but as a guy whose been around a while, I know that without this music we have no Chuck Berry>Beatles>Zeppelin>Sabbath>Priest>Slayer>Modern Heavy styles. INFO is POWER!!!!

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Agree! I learned a lot too.

  • @dylanedwards8537
    @dylanedwards8537 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Some good talk Thankyou.

  • @dennisjump8655
    @dennisjump8655 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Look at Robert Johnson's hands @2:33. This guy was born to play guitar.

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yep. I freaked out when I saw Paul Gilbert's fingers too. Ironically my fingers are my weak aspect. I have joint issues where my fingers lock etc since I was a kid.

    • @dennisjump8655
      @dennisjump8655 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@CIRCLEOFTONE Yeah, my right hand cramps bad.

  • @dashfentrock
    @dashfentrock 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great stuff!!

  • @tuco8734
    @tuco8734 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Awesome, love old blues

  • @splinterhood
    @splinterhood 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    That was a cool history lesson!

    • @CIRCLEOFTONE
      @CIRCLEOFTONE  6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks man! I learned a lot too.

  • @gregj.gotham4402
    @gregj.gotham4402 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Truth is it was more than two yrs between a novsist and a masterful player. Durring that time him and Ike spent days and nites playing an learning guitar.

  • @paulmight8847
    @paulmight8847 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Bloody amazing chaps.

  • @piotr.soton88
    @piotr.soton88 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great channel! Shame I didnt discover it before!