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...

 

Websites:

 

http://billjohnsonblues.com/

http://www.myspace.com/billjohnsonbluesband

https://www.facebook.com/billjohnsonblues