Customer Reviews
Robert Johnson - how do you want to play it? - By: Douglas Storey, 18 Jan 2008 
I have had this book for at least 1 to 2 years. I have dipped into it many times whilst trying to figure out how certain RJ songs go. Personallly I am confused how they figure out the exact amount of detuning & capo positions but place my faith in the authors.
The tunings don't always agree with other sources such as Scott Ainslie, Rory Block etc. I guess you have to decide for yourself.
An authoritive book, coupled with the original recordings - enlightening.
A masterpiece of it's genre - By: Mr. A. Bristow, 24 Aug 2006 
A stunningly comprehensive piece of work on a notoriously difficult artist. Transcends the normal run of tablature/music books by the obvious love, devotion & no little scholarship that has gone into it. Not to mention the time it must have took. You need to hear the originals though, to get to grips with Johnsons relaxed attitude towards timing. I only hope I can do it justice! An amazing achievement.
Must Have Book for Robert Johnson Fans - By: , 23 Jun 2005 As a long time blues & Robert Johnson fan, this book opens up for me the mysteries of the pure genius of Robert Johnson.
The transcriptions give extremely accurate, note for note representations in musical staff & tab format, from the original 78 recordings.
Some of the titles are hard going & difficult to get to grips with but I would recommend starting with those in open A tuning such as "Terraplane Blues" to anyone impatient to start playing from this treasure of a book.
I would totallly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in The Blues whether they play guitar or not.
Does exactly what it says on the tin... - By: , 12 Jul 2004 Like alll the Hal Leonard "Recorded Guitar Versions" books I've seen, this is pretty much spot on- none of your simplified open-chord-only rubbish here, just accurate tabbing of the highest quality.
Therein lies the one possible reason you could have for not buying this book straight away (well, unless you don't like the blues... no, that'd be silly...), because the legend that this guy swapped his soul for his playing skills exists for a good reason- he was hot. Damn hot.
And this book isn't easy going. There's a nice little bit in the front telling you a bit about the book, its origins & importance, but after that, you're on your own. I thought I was an ok player, but I've been suitably cut down to size in just one morning & left with a bruised ego & sore fingers.
Despite this, there's a lot in this book that can benefit even novice players- inventive tunings, gorgeous obscure chords & perfect rhythms that, if nothing else, can be plucked out from the songs & used to widen your musical knowledge.
This is a great book, & deserves a place on the shelf of any guitarist worth their salt.
Just don't expect to have it nailed by midnight...
Excellent book! - By: J. Stewart, 09 Dec 2003 If you play guitar, love the blues & have taken an interest in it's roots, then this book is a must buy. All 29 songs Robert Johnson ever recorded have been meticulously tabbed, & his (sometimes unique) tunings have been accurately "decoded". The book seems to go out of print sometimes, so if it's available, buy it now, you won't regret it!!!
