2017 - August 20 - John The Revelator

On cooking shows, they often talk about using an ingredient two ways or three ways. The idea is to showcase several different qualities of that ingredient. The same thing happens in music, when different people interpret a song. Today's song goes back quite a while. Blind Willie Johnson recorded the first version I found - in 1930. Then Son House recorded it in 1965, Depeche Mode wrote a new song - a remodel where the framework still is present - for their album Playing The Angel, and Gov't Mule included it on The Deepest End featuring Dirty Dozen Brass Band - and that's where I noticed it. It's fun tracing the roots and hearing the development...

The song is Gospel blues and uses call and response. Please enjoy John The Revelator four ways...

First, Blind Willie Johnson

Second: Son House

Third: Depeche Mode

And finally, my favorite: Gov't Mule