Unmoving Tribute

In less than 30 years and with less than 30 recordings, country bluesman Robert Johnson established himself as a scarifying songwriter, slide guitarist and performer whose Faustian legend almost overshadows his considerable musical legacy.

All of which explains why--a half-century after his death--people would stage a “Tribute to Robert Johnson” at the Music Machine on Saturday night, starring veteran bluesmen Johnny Shines and Honeyboy Edwards, both of whom traveled with Johnson in their youth. Among blues fans this accords them a status similar to that conferred upon the chief’s brother-in-law by certain primitive tribes. Heaviness by association, we think it’s called.

Despite the SRO crowd, the evening suffered from an overabundance of flyweight local talents (Blasters frontman Phil Alvin being the exception), overrated guest stars (Willie Dixon should stick to songwriting), a parade of tasteless, but omnipresent harmonica players and endless versions of Johnson’s most mediocre material.

Shines and Edwards are probably worth seeing in solo situations, however. But if you really wanna honor Johnson’s memory, stay home and play his records.