Recorded live in April of 1999 at the Highland Grounds in Los Angeles, California, this disc is an authentic, heartfelt, and (dare I say) loving tribute to the music of Robert Johnson. If it was Rocky Lawrence’s goal to learn the intricacies of delta blues then he has succeeded tremendously. The twelve songs on this disc is just Rocky accompanied by only his mid fifties model Gibson LG-1 acoustic guitar.

Robert Johnson is the stuff of legend. He was arguably this country’s first great bluesman. He wasn’t even 27 years old when he died in Greenwood, Mississippi in 1938. And although his death is shrouded in mystery, the truth is he was probably killed by someone who thought Johnson was messing with his woman. Musically he was a profound influence on everyone from Muddy Waters and Elmore James to Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton. Many of his songs are all time-classics.

The songs that are the most recognizable here include "Crossroads Blues," "Ramblin’ On My Mind," and "Sweet Home Chicago." Other songs that have always been popular with hard core blues lovers include "Come On In My Kitchen," "Me And The Devil Blues," and "Terraplane Blues." If this CD could be reissued on a scratchy vinyl album you would think you were listening to something made fifty or sixty years ago. It’s that authentic.

Rocky Lawrence makes his home in West Haven, Connecticut and for years he’s done a blues show on WNHU 88.7 FM. You can hear him on Monday nights from 8 to 11. This CD can be found at the better record stores in the area such as Tumbleweeds or Mystic Disc. Otherwise you can punch up www.highlandsounds.com. This one is for all you purists out there.