Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground

Blind Willie Johnson · 1927

Context

Cut in Dallas in December 1927, this wordless piece by Blind Willie Johnson rests on slide guitar in open tuning, accompanied by hummed sounds. More blues and gospel than jazz, it bears witness to the African American roots of this music. Covered by many artists, it was selected for the National Recording Registry in 2010 and carried in 1977 on the Golden Record of the Voyager probes.

In the genealogy of jazz

This track belongs to Afro-diasporic roots, Blues, spirituals, work songs.

Sources

• EN: Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground
• EN: Blind Willie Johnson

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