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At the crossroads

from Paradise regained - Album by Fred Guggenberger

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There are so many stories about Robert Johnson. The man that sold his soul to the devil to become the greatest bluesmen of all times. At least, that ́s what the legend tells us. In this song, i mixed the legend with the story of the „historical Robert Johnson“.I spent a lot of time with thinking about how i could do the devils part in this song. Should he speak with a voice that comes out of thousand mouths and ring from the top of the mountains? Then i thought about the story of Dr. Jeykill and Mr. Hyde. I have seen Mr. Hyde in so many movies and they always used effects and make up to make him look like a monster. But the only time, i got scared ot that guy was, when i watched Spencer Tracy playing the character. And he used no make up, no CGI, no costume, nothing! He just changed into him and he was scary. So i deceided to do it this way. It took some time and thinking, until i had „my“ devil ready and on the recording. Also i had to be Robert Johnson in different versions: Alone and broken ... scary ... angry ... meeting the devil and finally coming back from the crossroads with a voice that combines him and the devil in one person. I never did a movie but this song made me think like a guy that was doing a movie. As the director, guy on the camera, composer and only actor, playing two characters. It was an exiting adventure and even, when this song took more time than all the other tunes on the album, i won ́t miss one second. So, turn the light down and meet Robert.

Addition: So many people have covered the songs of Robert Johnson. But i think, i am the first guy, that wrote a song about him and became Robert in the song. I don ́t know, if you like this idea or my song, but i did it with all respect and love to Robert and his story. He inspired so many people with his music and he was long gone, when it started. God bless him.

lyrics

I was standing at the crossroads. I was looking for a friend.
I was standing at the crossroads. After my good days found an end.
It was a cold and windy night. And i held a guitar in my hand.

I was standing at the crossroads. There i told my god goodbye.
He took my woman and the baby. All he did was make me cry.
The moon and stars, they looked ashamed. As my curse rang in the sky.

I was standing at the crossroads, there i cried in every tune.
I was howling, i was shaking. And i blamed Jesus for my lose.
All my love was in vain, and then someone called my name ...

I saw a man, he stood on fire. A living torch in the night.
But he was smiling and he was grinning. And he said „This night feels great!
A little fire warms your soul. Ain ́t it a pleasure to meet ... you.“

He looked at me. With a mocking face. Watched my head and watched my shoes.
Watched my guitar. Said „oh young boy .. Did some maker made you lose?
Had to leave sweet home chicago? Or do you have some milkcow blues?

Told him my story, he understood me. Before dawn he was my friend.
He had a guitar, made of fire. 500 demons in his band.
He said „Listen, Robert Johnson. I will take away your pain.“

So i am back. And i ́m singing. All the songs they play in hell.
Watch out people. Watch my eyes. When i howl and when i yell.
And when i play the blues. Unlike anybody else.

Narrator:
Robert Johnson became the first Grandmaster of the Blues.
People that saw his shows were excited and scared of him.
He inspired legions of musicians with his outstanding guitarplaying, singing and songwriting.
Robert Johnson died at the age of 27, long before he became a hero.
The devil that he met that night is still on the lose ...


credits

from Paradise regained - Album, released February 20, 2015

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Fred Guggenberger / Professor Black Sheep image

Fred Guggenberger / Professor Black Sheep Taufkirchen, Germany

Musician, Songwriter, Producer, Book Writer, Dog Dad and believing in the universal language and magic of music.

Bread feeds the body. Music feeds the soul.

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