b. March 27th, 1915 in Turkey Scratch (Arkansas)
d. November 21th, 2006 in Cleveland (Ohio)
MISSISSIPPI BLUES
Wolf
July 1941 / November 1951
Fils de Robert Lockwood Sr et d'Ella Reese, il commence par jouer de l'orgue à l'église dès l'âge de huit ans. Après la séparation de ses parents, sa mère semble avoir eu une longue relation avec le légendaire Robert Johnson. Celui-ci lui apprit les rudiments de la guitare. Johnson, qui est donc son beau-père, joue avec lui et Johnny Shines, "Sonny Boy" Williamson dans les juke-joints du Delta du Mississippi. Entre le Mississippi, Memphis et Saint Louis, Robert joue aussi avec Elmore James et Howlin' Wolf. Ses premiers morceaux sont gravés pour le producteur Lester Melrose et le label Bluebird en juillet 1941 dans un style directement hérité de son beau-père Robert Johnson : "Black spider woman", "I'm gonna train my baby", "Little boy blue", "Take a little walk with me". Lors des mêmes séances, il accompagne également Doctor Clayton. En parallèle, il s'associe avec l'harmoniciste "Sonny Boy" Williamson. Les deux hommes sont embauchés par Sam Anderson qui dirige la radio KFFA. Ils jouent dans l'émission "King Biscuit Time" dès novembre 1941 et sont rejoints par James "Peck" Curtis et Robert "Dudlow" Taylor.
Son of Robert Lockwood Sr and Ella Reese, he began playing the organ in church at the age of eight. After his parents separated, his mother appears to have had a long relationship with the legendary Robert Johnson. He taught him the basics of the guitar. Johnson, who is therefore his stepfather, plays with him and Johnny Shines, "Sonny Boy" Williamson in the juke joints of the Mississippi Delta. Between Mississippi, Memphis and Saint Louis, Robert also plays with Elmore James and Howlin' Wolf. His first tracks were recorded for producer Lester Melrose and Bluebird label in july 1941 in a style directly inherited from his stepfather Robert Johnson : "Black spider woman", "I'm gonna train my baby", “Little boy blue”, “Take a little walk with me”. During the same sessions, he also accompanied Doctor Clayton. At the same time, he joined forces with harmonica player “Sonny Boy” Williamson. The two men are hired by Sam Anderson who runs the KFFA radio. They played on the show "King Biscuit Time" from november 1941 and were joined by James "Peck" Curtis and Robert "Dudlow" Taylor.
DUST MY BROOM
Flyright
JOHNNY SHINES & ROBERT LOCKWOOD JR
Flyright
Paula
NO NAME BLUES
Soul Jam
March 1951 / 1954
En 1950, Robert s'installe à Chicago. En compagnie de Sunnyland Slim, il grave alors une poignée d'excellents titres pour J.O.B lors de deux séances en mars 1951 et en 1954 : "Dust my broom", "Pearly B", "Aw aw baby" et surtout "Sweet woman from Maine" dans laquelle il commence à forger son propre style à la guitare. En 1954, il remplace Louis Myers dans le groupe de l'harmoniciste Little Walter et enregistre pour Chess derrière lui jusqu'en 1959. En parallèle, il participe à de nombreuses autres séances pour les meilleurs bluesmen du label : Sunnyland Slim, Eddie Boyd, Muddy Waters, John Brim parmi d'autres.
In 1950, Robert moved to Chicago. In the company of Sunnyland Slim, he then recorded a handful of excellent titles for J.O.B during two sessions in march 1951 and in 1954 : "Dust my broom", "Pearly B", "Aw aw baby" and especially "Sweet woman from Maine" in which he begins to forge his own guitar style. In 1954, he replaced Louis Myers in the group of the harmonica player Little Walter and recorded for Chess behind him until 1959. At the same time, he participated in numerous other sessions for the best bluesmen of the label : Sunnyland Slim, Eddie Boyd, Muddy Waters, John Brim among others.
THE MERCURY BLUES & RHYTHM STORY
Mercury
November 1951
Il enregistre dès 1949 pour Mercury en tant que sideman pour Saint Louis Jimmy et Sunnyland Slim. Il trouve un peu plus tard l'opportunité d'enregistrer pour ce label en tant que leader en particuleir l'excellent "I'm gonna dig myself a hole" et une nouvelle version de "Dust my broom".
He recorded in 1949 for Mercury as a sideman for Saint Louis Jimmy and Sunnyland Slim. A little later he found the opportunity to record for this label as a leader in particular the excellent "I'm gonna dig myself a hole" and a new version of "Dust my broom".
CONVERSATION WITH THE BLUES
Decca
July 1960
Dans cette anthologie collectée par Paul Oliver, Robert Lockwood grave une belle version de "Take a little walk with me".
In this anthology collected by Paul Oliver, Robert Lockwood records a beautiful version of "Take a little walk with me".
STEADY ROLLIN' MAN
Delmark
August 1970
En 1960, Robert s'installe à Cleveland et se marie avec Annie. Il reste dans l'ombre de la communauté blues (il joue cependant derrière Otis Spann en 1960 mais refuse de participer à la tournée de l'American Folk Blues Festival). C'est le producteur Robert Koester qui va le chercher et lui propose d'enregistrer ce qui sera son premier album solo en aout 1970. Pendant ces séances, Robert délivre un bel album de Chicago Blues accompagné par The Aces (Louis & Dave Myers, Fred Below). Il montre en particulier son talent à la guitare influencé par le Delta mais aussi par le Jazz.
In 1960, Robert moved to Cleveland and married Annie. He remained in the shadows of the blues community (he played behind Otis Spann in 1960 but refused to participate in the American Folk Blues Festival tour). It was the producer Robert Koester who sought him out and suggested that he record what would be his first solo album in august 1970. During these sessions, Robert delivers a beautiful album of Chicago Blues accompanied by The Aces (Louis & Dave Myers, Fred Below). He shows in particular his talent on the guitar influenced by the Delta but also by Jazz.
BOBO JENKINS PRESENTS BIG STAR ALL STARS
P-Vine
1972
Deux excellents titres gravés à Detroit recueillis sur ce CD rare. Robert Lockwood est accompagné par le bassiste Gene Schwartz et le batteur George Cook.
Two excellent titles recorded in Detroit collected on this rare CD. Robert Lockwood is accompanied by bassist Gene Schwartz and drummer George Cook.
CONTRASTS
Trix
THE COMPLETE TRIX RECORDINGS
32 Blues
June 1973
Dans cet album produit par Pete Lowry, Robert Lockwood réussit à démontrer son talent de guitariste dans différents styles entre Delta Blues et Rhythm & Blues. Accompagné d'un groupe compétent (Gene Schwartz, George Cook, Maurice Reedus), il brille sur "Little boy blue", "Annie's boogie", "Funny but true", "Hold everything", "Forever on my mind", "I am to blame", "Howdy dowdy". L'album est complètement réédité dans le CD "The complete Trix recordings".
In this album produced by Pete Lowry, Robert Lockwood succeeds in demonstrating his talent as a guitarist in different styles between Delta Blues and Rhythm & Blues. Accompanied from a competent backing band (Gene Schwartz, George Cook, Maurice Reedus), he shines on "Little boy blue", "Annie's boogie", "Funny but true", "Hold everything", "Forever on my mind", "I am to blame", "Howdy dowdy". The album is completely reissued in "The complete Trix recordings" CD.
BLUES LIVE
Trio
Advent
Vivid Sound
November 1974
Robert Lockwood est associé à ses amis des Aces (Louis & Dave Myers, Fred Below) pour quelques dates au Japon. Ici au Yubin Chokin Hall de Tokyo, il délivre un bon set de Chicago Blues avec de nombreuses reprises. Un concert intéressant avec d'excellents musiciens bien que cela manque parfois d'un peu de flamme. Le LP Trio original a été réédité en CD par Vivid Sound sous une forme largement augmentée.
Robert Lockwood is associated with his friends from The Aces (Louis & Dave Myers, Fred Below) for a few dates in Japan. Here at Yubin Chokin Hall in Tokyo, he delivers a good set of Chicago Blues with numerous covers. An interesting concert with excellent musicians although it sometimes lacks a little flame. The original Trio LP has been reissued on CD by Vivid Sound in a greatly expanded edition.
DOES 12
Trix
THE COMPLETE TRIX RECORDINGS
32 Blues
December 1975
Dans ce second album pour le label Trix et Pete Lowry, Robert Lockwood joue d'une guitare 12 cordes électrique (qui vient de lui être offerte par sa femme) qui donne une coloration bien particulière à sa musique. Derrière lui, un excellent groupe composé de Maurice Reedus (saxophone), Mark Hahn (guitare), Gene Schwartz (basse) et Jimmy Jones (batterie). Un programme intense et original dont on retient "This is the blues", "Down home cooking", "Walkin' blues", "Red top", "Selfish ways". L'album est complètement réédité dans le CD "The complete Trix recordings".
In this second album for Trix label and Pete Lowry, Robert Lockwood plays a 12-string electric guitar (which has just been given to him by his wife) which gives a very particular coloring to his music. Behind him, an excellent backing band composed of Maurice Reedus (saxophone), Mark Hahn (guitar), Gene Schwartz (bass) and Jimmy Jones (drums). An intense and original program including "This is the blues", "Down home cooking", "Walkin' blues", "Red top", "Selfish ways". The album is completely reissued in "The complete Trix recordings" CD.
HANGIN' ON
Rounder
Paris Album
JUST THE BLUES
Bullseye
January 1980
Johnny Shines est ici associé à son ami d'enfance Robert Lockwood Jr. Ils n'avaient jamais été réunis sur disque jusque là. Les deux bluesmen sont accompagnés par des musiciens de Cleveland et sont leurs propres producteurs. Johnny et Robert semblent parfaitement à l'aise que ce soit dans une configuration acoustique ou sur un mode jazz-swing ou même funky. Un programme très consistant avec "Full grown woman", "Razzmadazz", "We're gonna ball", "Here it is brother", "Big John". Le CD "Just the blues" ne reprend que certains titres de cet album.
Johnny Shines is here associated with his childhood friend Robert Lockwood Jr. They had never been reunited on record until then. The two bluesmen are accompanied by Cleveland musicians and are their own producers. Johnny and Robert seem perfectly at ease whether in an acoustic setup or in a jazz-swing mode or even in a funky style. A very consistent program with "Full grown woman", "Razzmadazz", "We're gonna ball", "Here it is brother", "Big John". The CD "Just the blues" only includes certain tracks from this album.
MR BLUES IS BACK TO STAY
Rounder
JUST THE BLUES
Bullseye
April 1981
Seconde association entre les deux amis bluesmen pour Rounder. Johnny Shines qui a récemment souffert d'une attaque ne joue plus de guitare et doit se contenter du chant. Le programme se révèle un peu moins intense que sur "Hangin' on". Malgré tout, on retient "For you my love", "I want you to know", "Mister Blues", "Soul power". Le CD "Just the blues" ne reprend que certains titres de cet album.
Second association between the two bluesmen friends for Rounder. Johnny Shines, who recently suffered from a stroke no longer plays guitar and has to be content with sing parts. The program turns out to be a little less intense than on "Hangin' on". Despite everything, we retain "For you my love", "I want you to know", "Mister Blues", "Soul power". The CD "Just the blues" only includes certain tracks from this album.
PLAYS ROBERT & ROBERT
Black & Blue
Evidence
P-Vine
RAMBLIN' ON MY MIND
Black & Blue
November 1982
De passage en France, Robert enregistre cet album presque entièrement consacré à des reprises de son beau-père Robert Johnson. Seul à la guitare sur un mode acoustique, il propose une belle tracklist de Delta Blues traditionnel. Sur la réédition CD du label Black & Blue, on peut trouver plusieurs prises alternatives inédites.
While in France, Robert recorded this album almost entirely devoted to covers of his stepfather Robert Johnson. Alone on guitar in an acoustic mode, he offers a nice tracklist of traditional Delta Blues. On the Black & Blue CD reissue, we can find several unreleased alternative takes.
THE BLUES OF ROBERT LOCKWOOD JR & BOOGIE BILL WEBB
Storyville
August 1984
Un demi-album pour Robert Lockwood et pour Boogie Bill Webb. Concernant Lockwood, il s'agit de la captation d'un concert à la Nouvelle Orléans dans lequel il est seul à la guitare. Une tracklist intéressante mais peu originale, il vaut mieux se tourner vers "Ramblin' on my mind" plus abouti dans le même genre.
Half an album for Robert Lockwood and for Boogie Bill Webb. Concerning Lockwood, this is the recording of a concert in New Orleans in which he is alone on guitar. An interesting but not very original tracklist, it is better to turn to "Ramblin' on my mind" which is more accomplished in the same genre.
NATIONAL DOWN HOME BLUES FESTIVAL (lp vol.3 / cd vol.2)
Southland
October 1984
Robert figurait à l'affiche de ce festival organisé par George Mitchell en 1984. Il joue une belle version de "Big legged woman".
Robert was part of this festival organized by George Mitchell in 1984. He plays a nice version of "Big legged woman".
ALL STAR BLUES SESSIONS
HMG
April 1986
Un superbe instrumental jazzy ("Naptown blues") que Robert enregistre avec l'harmoniciste Bob Corritore.
A superb jazzy instrumental ("Naptown blues") that Robert recorded with harmonica player Bob Corritore.
WHAT'S THE SCORE
Lockwood
P-Vine
September - October 1990
Robert Lockwood auto-édita cet album ce qui lui permit de faire exactement ce qu'il souhaitait. Il délivre donc un album de Blues mais empruntant régulièrement des éléments de Jazz ("Something to do") et de Funk ("What's the score"). On apprécie en particulier les superbes "Blues in the evening", "Funky mama" et "Dead or alive". Derrière Robert, on trouve son groupe régulier : Mark Hahn, Wallace Coleman, Maurice Reedus, Gene Schwartz, Kenneth Clayton.
Robert Lockwood self-published this album which allowed him to do exactly what he wanted. He therefore delivers a Blues album but regularly borrows from elements of Jazz ("Something to do") and Funk ("What's the score"). We particularly appreciate the superb “Blues in the evening”, “Funky mama” and “Dead or alive”. Behind Robert, we find his regular backing band : Mark Hahn, Wallace Coleman, Maurice Reedus, Gene Schwartz, Kenneth Clayton.
ROOTS OF RHYTHM & BLUES : A TRIBUTE TO THE ROBERT JOHNSON ERA
Columbia
July 1991
BLUES ROUTES
Smithsonian - Folkways
April 1992
Une version acoustique de "Little queen of spades" sur scène.
An acoustic version of "Little Queen of Spades" on stage.
FOLK MASTERS
Smithsonian - Folkways
April - May 1992
Une version en concert de "Love in vain".
A live version of "Love in vain".
SWINGS IN TOKYO
P-Vine
December 1995
Robert Lockwood revient au Japon avec son groupe régulier à ses côtés. Cet album live est capturé lors de sa participation à un festival local. Il s'agit d'une performance plaisante et variée dans laquelle Robert montre qu'il est toujours aussi habile à la guitare.
Robert Lockwood returns to Japan with his regular backing band at his side. This live album is captured while participating in a local festival. This is a pleasant and varied performance in which Robert shows that he is still as skilled on the guitar.
I GOT TO FIND ME A WOMAN
Verve
May - June 1996
Cet album produit par John Snyder pour le label Verve remis Robert Lockwood sur le devant de la scène. Entouré de ses fidèles musiciens (Wallace Coleman, Maurice Reedus) et d'invités de premier choix (Joe Louis Walker, B.B. King), il délivre un superbe album de blues présent sur un mode acoustique seul ou en duo ("Walkin' blues", "Take a little walk with me") et dans un contexte orchestral ("I got to find me a woman", "Big legged woman").
This album produced by John Snyder for the Verve label put Robert Lockwood back in the spotlight. Surrounded by his faithful musicians (Wallace Coleman, Maurice Reedus) and of first-rate guests (Joe Louis Walker, B.B. King), he delivers a superb blues album present in an acoustic mode alone or in duet ("Walkin' blues", "Take a little walk with me") and in an orchestral context ("I got to find me a woman", "Big legged woman").
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER OF SONG
Smithsonian - Folkways
October 1997
Une version sympathique de "Take a little walk with me" sur la scène du King Biscuit Blues Festival.
A nice version of "Take a little walk with me" on stage at the King Biscuit Blues Festival.
A TRIBUTE TO MUDDY WATERS : KING OF THE BLUES
Hybrid
ALL STAR TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND
Music Avenue
October 1997
WHOLE LOTTA BLUES : SONGS OF LED ZEPPELIN
House of Blues
1999
Dans cet album hommage, Robert Lockwood donne deux versions de "Bring it on home", une en mode acoustique, l'autre électrique.
In this tribute album, Robert Lockwood gives two versions of "Bring it on home", one in acoustic mode, the other electric.
HELLHOUND ON MY TRAIL
Telarc
February 1999
DELTA CROSSROADS
Telarc
December 1999
Robert Lockwood aborde ici encore une fois l'héritage de son beau-père Robert Johnson sous la supervision du producteur Joe Harley. Placé en mode acoustique, il délivre une tracklist bien jouée mais peu originale. En effet, il a souvent joué ces titres mieux qu'ici mais il faut reconnaitre qu'à l'âge qui est le sien, ses compétences au chant et à la guitare sont encore bien réelles.
Robert Lockwood once again addresses the legacy of his stepfather Robert Johnson under the supervision of producer Joe Harley. Placed in an acoustic mode, he delivers a well-played but not very original tracklist. Indeed, he often played these songs better than here but it must be recognized that at his age, his skills in singing and playing the guitar are still very real.
THE LEGEND LIVE
M.C.
P-Vine
July 2003
Malgré son âge, Robert Lockwood se montre toujours aussi habile à la guitare. Même si sa voix est un peu affaiblie, il délivre ici un bon concert sur la scène du Rhythm Room de Bob Corritore. Seul à la guitare, il joue les classiques habituels du Delta Blues avec conviction.
Despite his age, Robert Lockwood is still as skilled on the guitar as ever. Even if his voice is a little weakened, he delivers a good concert here on the stage of Bob Corritore's Rhythm Room. Alone on guitar, he plays the usual Delta Blues classics with conviction.
LAST OF THE GREAT MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUESMEN : LIVE IN DALLAS
Blue Shoe Project
October 2004
A la fin de sa vie, Robert participe à cette réunion des derniers grands bluesmen (tous sont âgés de plus de 80 ans) sur une scène de Dallas. Robert prend cinq titres en leader dont les bons "King biscuit time" et "I got to find me a woman" bien supporté par un orchestre compétent.
At the end of his life, Robert participated in this meeting of the last great bluesmen (all over 80 years old) on a stage in Dallas. Robert takes five titles in leader including the good "King biscuit time" and "I got to find me a woman" well supported by a competent backing band.