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Blues Underground Network |
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Bill Johnson "Still
Blue"
Bill Johnson's heart and soul has
been wrapped around music for a very long time, and he shows that
love by the way he plays his guitar and way he sings the Blues. Influenced
by listening to records by "Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, The Rolling
Stones, and Eric Clapton", Bill Johnson began to play guitar at the
age of 9, something he knew for sure was his calling after listening to
Chuck Berry. Bill's dedication to learning guitar paid off with him
already being a working musician, by his early teens, as he studied long
and hard following the styles of "B.B. King, Elmore James, and T-Bone
Walker
".
The early 90's saw him playing
with famed Slide Guitarist Doug Cox, in a band called the
Sidewalk Blues Band. Not long after, in 1993, he formed The Bill Johnson
Blues Band, which opened for greats such as, Otis Rush and Delbert
McClinton. From the later half of the 90's till the end of 2009, Bill
Johnson continued his musical education playing with greats such as Donald
Ray Johnson, Hubert Sumlin, Son Seals, and Cash McCall. His persistence
and dedication paid off in 2006 with a nomination "for a Maple Blues
Award by the Toronto Blues Society for his CD Live". Hot off the
heals of that nomination, he wasted no time impressing everyone again with
his release of Work Songs in 2007, a Country Blues album, where he
showed off his talents as a Solo Acoustic
Guitarist.
"Still Blue" was released in 2010 and
was described as Bill Johnson's breakout CD, a statement I find hard to
believe, yet not surprising, as I know an awful lot of great Blues
Artists, particularly in Canada, for whom the mainstream of so called
Blues Music Fans, have just not yet woken up to. It is certainly a sad
commentary when an Artist, as talented as Bill Johnson is, still remain
widely unknown, despite all the contributions they have made to the
Canadian Blues Scene. Recognition however, for what I consider to not only
be Bill Johnson's best work to date, but also what I consider to be one of
the better Blues Albums I have had the good fortune to listen to, so far
for 2011, did not take long to materialize, with "Still Blue" winning not
one, but two Blewzzy Awards from the highly respected Mary4Music.com, 2010
Best Blues CD and 2010 Best Song "Half the Man". This in addition to many
rave reviews, will hopefully be the catalyst needed to wake up a lot of
Blues fans to Bill's
music.
"Still Blue" consists of 12 great
Tracks of Bill Johnson style blues, of which eight were either
written or co-written by Bill, essentially, the first half of the album
and and two Tracks on the second half. Sandwiched in between the amazing
songs that Bill wrote were 4 great choices for Covers, "300 Pounds of
Heavenly Joy" (Willie Dixon), "Red Hot" (Lee Roy Parnell & Chris
Moore), King Bee (James Moore aka Slim Harpo), and T-Bone Blues
(T-Bone Walker). All Covers were interpreted to perfection with the
addition of Bill Johnson's brilliance that would certainly make any of the
originators proud. Joining in on this production were musicians Rick
Erickson (Bass), John Hunter/Joby Baker (Drums), David
Vest (Piano), and Darcy Phillips (B3 Organ). Background
Vocalists included Bob Belknap and Lisa Mann.
"Still Blue" is an album that had no
problem captivating me from the opening Guitar Riff of the first Track and
once Bill Johnson's singing kicked in, well to say the least, I was hooked
and more then happy to be along for the ride. With hooks and harmonies so
addictive, I was very happy this release wasn't on Vinyl, because for
sure I would of been wearing out many a record needle the amount
of times I would of been playing this one. For sure, Bill Johnson has
his own unique style of Blues, which he has managed to blend perfectly
from the masters he has learned so well from, by studying their music.
This special style comes through loud and clear, be it his lyrics, his
music, or his vocals. From the opening and fun to listen Track "Fishing
with Your Boots", to the spellbinding "Half the Man" to the closing Track
"Remote Control Man", a piano laden smoky bar room gem, Bill Johnson
manages to take us on one hell of a great Bluesy Ride.
In the liner notes of "Still Blue"
Bill Johnson states that "I am forty six years old, I believe all you
need is love, and I'm still blue". Well Bill if that is what it takes
for you to put out great albums, such as this one, then please do carry
on.
I have no problem giving "Still
Blue", my highest rating of 5*****. It is an Album that I not only
thoroughly enjoyed, but one that I also highly recommend for any lover of
really good
blues.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues
Underground
Network)
Additional Info
Tracklist
1. Fishing with Your Boots On
3:22
2. Habitual Survivor 3:55 3. Worked to death 3:57 4. Experience 3:08 5. Another One 4:39 6. Half the Man 5:04 7. Old Les Paul Guitar 4:22 8. 300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy 3:35 9. Red Hot 4:27 10. King Bee 3:34 11. T-Bone Blues 3:49 12. Remote Control Man 1:38
Listen To Samples Here...
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