"Sessions for Robert J" is the sixteenth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released on 7 December 2004 by Reprise Records. This album serves as a companion to Clapton’s previous release, Me and Mr. Johnson. The project includes a DVD that features Clapton and his band traveling through the United Kingdom and the United States, recording renditions of Robert Johnson's songs before and after Clapton's 2004 Crossroads Guitar Festival. The DVD captures the making of the album, showcasing performances of Johnson's songs that were not included on the studio album, such as "From Four 'Til Late," "Terraplane Blues," "Ramblin' on My Mind," "Sweet Home Chicago," and "Stones in My Passway." Several of the tracks are performed as duets between Clapton, playing steel-string acoustic guitar, and Doyle Bramhall II, who plays both steel-string acoustic and dobro guitars.
The documentary aspect of Sessions for Robert J is marked by Clapton reflecting on the profound influence that Robert Johnson’s music has had on him and other musicians. One particularly memorable segment features Clapton performing in the 508 Park Avenue building in Dallas, Texas, which was used as a makeshift studio for Johnson’s legendary 1937 recording sessions.
In his 2007 autobiography, Clapton revealed that he had originally approached his long-time friend Hiroshi Fujiwara to direct a video that would accompany the songs from Me and Mr. Johnson, intended for TV or internet broadcasts, not for commercial purposes. Fujiwara agreed to work on the project and suggested that Stephen Schible, producer of the movie Lost in Translation, join the team. Schible, after seeing the concept, decided to expand the idea and turn it into a full documentary about Robert Johnson’s influence on Clapton, the blues, and other musicians. Clapton, impressed with the final result, decided to release the documentary along with the album. With Sessions for Robert J, Clapton felt he had fully honored Johnson's legacy and paid his respects to the influence the legendary bluesman had on his music.
