Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson

"every road ends somewhere"

Ruf 51416 1455 2

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.

Norman Davis