Up Jumped the Devil
The Real Life of Robert Johnson
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Narrated by:
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Leon Nixon
About this listen
Robert Johnson is the subject of the most famous myth about the blues: he allegedly sold his soul at the crossroads in exchange for his incredible talent, and this deal led to his death at age 27. But the actual story of his life remains unknown save for a few inaccurate anecdotes.
Up Jumped the Devil is the result of over 50 years of research. Gayle Dean Wardlow has been interviewing people who knew Robert Johnson since the early 1960s, and he was the person who discovered Johnson's death certificate in 1967. Bruce Conforth began his study of Johnson's life and music in 1970 and made it his mission to fill in what was still unknown about him. In this definitive biography, the two authors relied on every interview, resource, and document, most of it material no one has seen before. As a result, this book not only destroys every myth that ever surrounded Johnson, but also tells a human story of a real person. It is the first book about Johnson that documents his years in Memphis, details his trip to New York, uncovers where and when his wife Virginia died and the impact this had on him, fully portrays the other women Johnson was involved with, and tells exactly how and why he died and who gave him the poison that killed him. Up Jumped the Devil will astonish blues fans who thought they knew something about Johnson.
©2019 Bruce Conforth and Gayle Dean Wardlow (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded BooksWhat listeners say about Up Jumped the Devil
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- David Hughes
- 15-07-23
That’s What I’m Talkin About!
Fantastic chronicle of Roberts life. Even as an Englishman I’ve studied Robert”s music, performed his songs live, travelled Mississippi in his footsteps. Really interesting and reads true A must for acoustic Delta Blues nuts like me.
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- Colin McGrath
- 11-07-19
spectacular
loved it from start till end. interested in the subject matter for yes and truely helped fill in the blanks
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- Hoops
- 02-02-20
Debunks the Johnson myths
Using a lifetime of their own experience and research, the authors have constructed a comprehensive and detailed biography of this famed bluesman. It effectively debunks the mythology and supposition that's grown in the previous information vacuum. You probably need to be a fan of the blues or pre-war black musical history to appreciate this telling. You'll certainly come out of it well informed and wanting to revisit his recordings. Another valuable and informative book worth exploring is 'Escaping the Delta' by Elijah Wald. Well narrated.
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- Kaizersoza
- 22-05-21
brilliant listen for all you blues/Robert Johnson
Great story, well read thoroughly enjoyed it, imho possibly the best book on Robert Johnson for me
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- Mr Robert Stocks
- 22-11-19
well put together
Great to hear the facts and myths of such a mysterious historical figure put together in a such a way that believably fleshes him out. It will never be able to give all the answers but its the best narrative of his story that exists to date.
Really well narrated too.
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- Anonymous User
- 02-01-21
for all blues lovers this is a must,
for all blues lovers this is a must, great book. highly enjoyed.
I've read any different tellings of RL 's story but this seemed to be the most honest and factually account.
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- Andrew ellis
- 14-06-22
from myth to reality
after listening to this book, I felt like I knew Robert Johnson, extremely well written and extremely well read, must be the most accurate story of his life so far
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- Being Of Enlightenment
- 22-06-21
The Man The Myth The Music
Well read and well written book of one of the true greats of blues music. Strongly recommend it.
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- Mitchell
- 21-03-20
Up jumped the devil.
Informative,interesting, enjoyable,well written,well read,addictive.Brilliant factual account.Give this a listen or a read,you wont be disappointed.
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