|
Screenshot/Image: No Screenshot/Image Uploaded
Description: Jimmy Johnson - Every Road Ends Somewhere
Recorded at: Gimmick Studio, Yerres, France during March and April, 1997.
Orig CD: 1999
Label: Ruffhouse
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Jimmy Johnson has been one of Chicago’s premier blues guitarists for more than twenty years. His compelling guitar and high-pitched vocals have been entertaining Windy City blues patrons since the ‘50s, but he is not well known nationally, most likely because he has recorded only a half-dozen albums and tours infrequently.
Johnson is more popular in Europe, where he has made several tours and recorded a couple of albums. His latest CD, recorded in France in 1997, is a billboard for Johnson’s magnificent skills. The music mix is one part soul, two parts blues and a pinch of zydeco for spice. Johnson blends the styles perfectly, as he amalgamates his main influences--Otis Rush, Freddie King, Magic Sam and Jimmy Dawkins. Johnson’s song-writing skills blossom on eight originals. His lyrics deal with real life and reflect his compassionate nature. Johnson dedicates the CD to two friends who passed away--his former bass player, Anthony Merrill, and Luther Allison. His inspiring composition, "Everyday Of Your Life," seems to have been inspired by their deaths. I hope that Ruf gets this album out to all the blues DJ’s. It deserves wide exposure. Jimmy Johnson is one of the best in the business and this is one of his best albums.
Grammy Award nominated guitar play and vocalist Jimmy Johnson has been around the block more than once when Blues music is concerned. A professional musician since the late fifties, his catalog includes soul, R&B, and blues music. Now, on his latest solo effort, he throws them all into a smoky record that encompasses his life as a musician.
"Roots of All Evil" is a funk-driven blues number that is as hot and smoky as it is clear and precise. It has all the steam it needs to push itself on to the listener and light up your mind with soulful, gutsy sounds that speaks straight from the heart via various instruments.
"The Street You Live On," though, is not rooted in blues or funk. Rather, it derives all of its tremendous energy from the soul sound. Jimmy Johnson's voice is still smoky and rich, but at the same time comforting. His effortlessly soothing voice glides over the music with ease while the music just as effortlessly seems to pour from your speakers straight into your ears.
"Black Night" brings you deep into the blues sounds of Jimmy Johnson. Deep, groove-filled riffs float through the song while his voice tops off everything with a silky richness. The light percussion helps keep the vibrant sound alive while furthering the easy-going nature of everything. This is an edgy blues song that isn't afraid to be sensitive, much like the majority of this album.
"Cut You Loose" and "End of the Road" are two different blues numbers, though both are rooted in the blues. The first fuses blues and funk once again while the latter runs forward with some pounding, dance-able rock 'n' roll sure to get your toes tappin', soul moving, and body shaking.
This is an album you can feel. Whether it is his guitar or his voice, or the supporting band's ability to lay down soothing rhythms and tremendous horn lines, every note makes you feel something. What you feel is up to you. But, rest assured, you'll feel something. I'll give this album an A-. ! Alex Steininger
The Bluesman dishes up a heaping helping of soulful guitar sopped, funk-filled blues! Recorded in Paris in '97, Johnson offers up ten cuts that will please traditionalists and edge blues listeners alike! His reggae smacked "The Street You Live On" shows Johnson's versatility. Late guitar great Luther Allison even sits in on "End of The Road." One favorite is "My Baby by My Side." A disc well worth listening to! ~ John Hathaway
Personnel:
Jimmy Johnson (vocals, guitars);
Luther Allison, John Randolph (guitar);
Paulie Cerra (tenor saxophone);
Claude Egea (trumpet, flugelhorn);
Frank Lacy (trombone);
Kenny Lee (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Wurlitzer piano, Hammond b-3 organ);
Anthony Morris (electric bass);
William Ellis (drums);
Arnaud Frank (percussion).
Jimmy Johnson - Every Road Ends Somewhere tracks:
01 Roots of All Evil
02 My Babe by My Side
03 Blue Monday
04 Rock and a Hard Place
05 The Street You Live On
06 Ain't No Way
07 Black Night
08 Cut You Loose
09 End of the Road
10 Everyday of Your Life
|
