R. Crumb Had Had It Up To (Demonstrates With Hand) Here; also Robert Johnson.

Bobby Robinson
Mar 2, 2014 10:51AM

Robert Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) will haunt you, no matter who you may and might've been. His song "Crossroads" outlines that the prolific recording artist sold himself to the devil in exchange to become the best vocal and lyricist in his field of blues music. Is this the reason that R. Crumb, with his sentinment on the United States of America, chose to portrait Mr. Johnson? Yes, as Robert Johnson all at once captured the quandry of a Black American dream, the American male dream of superiority, and the vulnerable tension between evil and good. This piece also has strong rhythmic graphics similar to the handicraft tooling of Southern quilt-makers in border of Johnson. A detail of noteworthy study, as this subversively points to the history of crossroads and quilts, Johnson's famed recording "Crossroad Blues" detailing his dealings with the Devil, and the presence of rhythmic Voudoun-esque handiwork in both mens' craft.

Bobby Robinson