John fell in love with the blues as a child when his father and an older cousin played guitar and sang at night after a hard day in the fields. His mother moved to Chicago to secure a job and support her family. She promised to bring John and his sister to the big city when they reached age 18, leaving them with family. Depressed and lonely, young Primer frequently went into the neighboring woods, where he cried his troubles away and began singing the blues in solitude. He eventually built himself a diddley bow on the side of his grandmother's house out of broom wire, two nails and a brick and began accompanying himself as he sang, eventually playing for dimes and quarters in his schoolyard. After listening to Jimmy Reed, Little Milton, B.B. King, Albert King and Muddy Waters on his grandmother's record player, his biggest dream was to play alongside Muddy Waters one day.
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The Deep Dive
This release opens with
Jr Well's Up In Heah and it's a ripper. With John Primer on vocal and guitar this track is really moving. Tony Mangiullo on drums and Jeff Brinkman on bass set the bottom and Harmonica Hinds handles harmonica. John Watkins on rhythm guitar holds it tight and Primer on slide electrifies the track. Strong opener. Easy shuffle,
The Blues Is King, features Primer on lead vocal and silky slide work with Bob Stroger on bass, Watkins on guitar, Hinds on harmonica and Twist Turner on drums.
Sugar Sweet features Billy Branch on harmonica and vocal. Brinkman sets a strong pace on drums and Brinkman on bass form the bottom for this excellent Chicago style track and Primer's classic slide styling really kicks this track up a notch. Muddy's,
She's Nineteen Years Old, is a great fit in the set and Carlos Johnson is upfront on vocal and guitar. Hinds slides in on harmonica, nicely complimenting Johnson's rich vocal lead and Primer's lead guitar work is really nicely phrased.
Mary Lane has the mic on
Mary's Song, a great shuffle with Hinds on harmonica and Primer on guitar. This track is really in the slot. Primer original,
Blues Survivalist, is deep with Primer on vocal and tasty lead guitar. You can really feel Stroger setting the mark on bass and Hinds' harmonica work balances nicely with Primer. Wrapping the release is Little Walter's
Mean Old World featuring Primer on vocal and Branch on harmonica. Primer's guitar attack is stinging yet unobtrusive. This is a solid scoop of authentic
Chicago blues.
Watch: John Primer and Friends: Up In Heah
This is a great assembly of blues masters who all got their start at Theresa's having a great time and making great music.
Bman's Verdict
It's always a pleasure to hear John play and in this case surrounding himself with great performers. Check it out!
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Label: Blues House Productions
Released: June 5, 2026
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