ROAD TO ROBERT JOHNSON Format: Paperback

The Road to Robert Johnson: The Genesis and Evolution of Blues in the Delta from the Late 1800s Through 1938 by Edward Komara is a guitar educational and blues history reference examining the musical roots, cultural influences, and historical context that shaped legendary Delta blues artist Robert Johnson. Created for blues enthusiasts, guitarists, musicians, educators, collectors, and readers of American music history, the book traces the development of Delta blues from the late nineteenth century through Johnson's death in 1938.

The book combines engaging historical writing with period photographs, detailed maps, and musical examples that illustrate important stylistic connections throughout the evolution of the blues. Rather than focusing only on biography, it explains how Robert Johnson's music emerged from earlier performers, songs, regional traditions, and communities. The included song index highlights many of the influential blues titles discussed throughout the book, making it a useful companion for historical study, musical research, and a deeper understanding of guitar heritage and American roots music.

Song List
Collector Man Blues * Come On In My Kitchen * Cross Road Blues (Crossroads) * Hell Hound On My Trail * House Lady Blues * I'm Going To Do All I Can * If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day * Kind Hearted Woman Blues * Ko-Ko-Mo Blues * Last Fair Deal Gone Down * Love In Vain Blues * Me And The Devil Blues * Moon Going Down * My Black Mama * New Frisco Train (That Frisco Train) * On The Wall * Parchman Farm Blues * Phonograph Blues * Police Station Blues * Preachin' Blues * Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped The Devil) * Prison Bound * Quarreling Mama Blues * Ramblin' On My Mind * Screamin' & Hollerin' The Blues * Sitting On Top Of The World * Six Feet In The Ground * Take A Stand * Terraplane Blues * That Won't Do * Vicksburg Blues * You Got To Reap What You Sow

EDWARD M. KOMARA is a music librarian and director of the blues archive at the University of Mississippi.