Mandolin Blues: The Johnny Young Story

 Johnny Young wasn't the only blues mandolin player but he was the only one to successfully blend the instrument into a modern Chicago blues setting. The Mississippi bluesman combined his love for the early string-band tradition of the Delta with the electric blues of Chicago forging a powerful sound. In addition to mandolin he was also a skilled guitarist and a fine vocalist. Despite a small recorded legacy he remains an important figure in blues history.

 Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1917, Young's uncle Anthony Williams introduced him to guitar and mandolin. In addition his mother was an accomplished musician and taught him harmonica. As a boy he listened to the locally based Mississippi Sheiks featuring the musical Chatmon family, of which Lonnie played violin and Ed played mandolin. Violinist/mandolinist Walter Vincson also worked with the Shieks, and he probably influenced Young the most. He also listened to mandolinist Charlie McCoy who accompanied Delta greats like Tommy Johnson, Ishmon Bracey and sister-in-law Memphis Minnie. In 1940, following the path of so many bluesman before him, he moved to Chicago.

 By 1943 he was often found performing at the Plantation Club at 31st and Giles, sharing the stage with with Muddy Waters and John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson. Mandolinist James "Yank" Rachell often drove up from Indianapolis to join the scene. Young's popularity really blossomed in the Maxwell Street scene, where he often played with John Brim, Snooky Prior, Big Walter Horton, John Lee Granderson, and Floyd and Moody Jones.

 Young made his first records with the Ora Nelle label in 1947, recording two sides with his cousin Johnny Williams: the classic "Money Talkin' Blues" and "Worried Man Blues." The following year he cut two sides for the Old Swingmaster label. He also recorded two cuts with Snooky Pryior during this period: "Let Me Ride Your Mule" and "My Baby Walked Out." All he had to show for the Fifties was a session accompanying Snooky Pryor in 1955 for Vee Jay. Throughout the Fifties he performed in Chicago's clubs and bars and continued performing on Maxwell Street.

 Young finally returned to the studio in 1963 for Testament. In 1966 Pete Welding of Testament Records teamed Young with John Lee Granderson, John Wrencher and Carl Martin as the Chicago String Band recording an album and promoted their recording in Europe.

 In the mid-60's Young recorded a number of stellar sessions of modern Chicago blues with some of the top players of the era. In '65 and '67 he cut arguably his finest work for the Arhoolie label with producer Pete Welding surrounding him with the best that Chicago had to offer- two thirds of the then Muddy Waters Band of 1965: Otis Spann, SP Leary, Jimmy Cotton and for the '67 session- Walter Horton, Jimmy Dawkins, and Lafayette Leake among others.

 Other sessions in the 60's included fine scattered sides for Sam Charters' Chicago- The Blues Today! project (a 1966 survey of the current Chicago blues scene) and recordings made for the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation for a projected documentary radio series called "I Bluekvarter." In the early 70's he cut records for Blue Horizon and Bluesway.

  Despite working with the major figures of blues history, he continued struggling all his life trying to make it in the music business. Johnny Young passed away in 1974.

Essential Listening

Chicago Blues (Arhoolie): These sides were cut in '65 and '67 and remain Johnny Young's finest recordings. Accompanied by an all-star cast which included Otis Spann, SP Leary, James Cotton, Walter Horton and Jimmy Dawkins on this stellar Chicago blues session.

Chicago- The Blues Today! (Vanguard): This budget priced 3-CD set was originally issued as separate volumes in 1966 as a survey of the current Chicago blues scene. Features five excellent sides by Johnny Young's Southside Blues Band.

I Blueskvarter: Chicago 1964 Vol. 1 (Jefferson): These recordings were made for the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation who sent representatives to Chicago, New Orleans and Memphis in 1964 to record blues for a projected 21 part documentary radio series called "I Blueskvarter." Features five great sides by Johnny Young backed by Otis Spann, Robert Whithead on drums and Slim Willis on harmonica.

Chicago String Band (Testament): Interesting date from 1966 teaming Johnny Young with Carl Martin, John Lee Granderson and John Wrencher. The music harks back to the classic string band sounds of the 20's and 30's.

I Can't Keep My Foot From Jumping (Bluesway): This was Young's final session and unfortunately this excellent date has yet to be issued on CD. The LP is well worth tracking down, however, and finds Young in top form playing mandolin on all cuts backed by a tough band featuring stellar guitar work from Louis Myers.