Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson - Once In A Blue Moon - New Release Review

 

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Once In A Blue Moon, by Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, recorded live in John Kelly's Hideaway Cafe' in St Petersburg, Florida. Opening with C.C. Rider, Johnson is upfront on lead vocal and guitar, joined by Curtis "Kid" Royal, Pat Herlehy on sax, Paul Nadeau on keys, Otis Doncaster on harmonica, Mikey Maguire on bass and Magic Drumski on drums. This is a full intro with a more than 12 minute jam featuring nice solos from Herlehy, Nadeau and Doncaster and of course an excellent solo by Junior. On Muddy Water's Hoochie Coochie Man/I'm A Man, Johnson really works the classics with plenty of vocal soul and emotion. On shuffle, Thank You Sugar, Junior really works the track on vocals with soulful wailing sax by Herlehy, and a cool walking bass line by Maguire. Slow blues, Stealing Chickens, is one of my favorites on the release with plenty of space for soloing by Herlehy, Nadeau and excellent guitar work by Johnson and Royal. Excellent! Another slow blues, You Got Me Wonderin' is really an excellent showcase for Junior and Royal on guitar. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Mean Old World and again, the gang really hit it hard. Herlehy really gets his sax wailing over the rhythm guitar work of Johnson and Royal and the pumped up organ work of Nadeau and an excellent closing on guitar by Royal. Very nice. 

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Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson

Luther Johnson (born April 11, 1939, Itta Bena, Mississippi, United States) is an American Chicago blues singer and guitarist, who performs under the name Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson.

Johnson moved to Chicago with his family in 1955. During the 1960s, he performed with Magic Sam. He also performed in Muddy Waters's band from 1972 to 1980. In 1980, four of his songs were included on an anthology by Alligator Records.

Johnson moved to the East Coast and began fronting his own band, the Magic Rockers. His "Walkin' The Dog," was recorded live at the Montreux Festival's Blues Night. Johnson won a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Traditional Blues Album for his part in Blues Explosion.

Johnson appeared on three albums by The Nighthawks. He now lives in New Hampshire.
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