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The
Blues of Lonnie Johnson
Lonnie Johnson was a
true musical innovator who's recording career
spanned from 1925 to the mid-60's. During that time his musical diversity was
amazing- he recorded solo, he played piano, guitar, violin, he accompanied
the roughest of country blues singers like Texas Alexander, he played with
Louis Armtrong's Hot Fives, duetted with Victoria Spivey, and recorded with
Duke Ellington among many other accomplishments. Despite his amazing
versatility or perhaps because of it he seems to be under appreciated in
blues circles. Part of this not doubt stems from his jazz and ballad leanings
which may not go over with those with strict definitions of blues. Johnson
started playing in cafes in New Orleans and in 1917 he traveled to Europe,
playing in revues and briefly with Will Marion Cook's Southern Syncopated
Orchestra. In 1925 Johnson won a Blues contest sponsored by the Okeh record
company. Part of the prize was a recording deal with the company. He
commenced to recording at an astonishing pace cutting
an estimated 130 sides between 1925 and 1932.
Throughout the rest of the 1920s he recorded with a variety of
bands and musicians, including Eddie Lang, Louis Armstrong and his Hot
Fives, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. After
enduring the Depression and moving to Chicago, Johnson came back to recording
life with Bluebird for a five-year stint beginning in 1939. After his stint
with Bluebird Johnson moved to King Records in 1947 and promptly enjoyed one
of the biggest hits with the ballad "Tomorrow Night," which topped
the R&B charts for seven weeks in 1948. It was also during this period
that Johnson plugged in and switched to electric guitar following the lead of
musicians like Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker. The
50's were a down time for Johnson who spent much of the decade outside
of music working construction or toiling as a janitor. He was rediscovered by
jazz enthusiast Chris Albertson which rekindled a major comeback. Johnson
hooked up with Prestige's Bluesville subsidiary in 1960 cutting some
excellent records for the label. After
the blues rediscovery of the 60's rolled by Johnson again drifted towards
obscurity. He spent his last five years playing in Canada. In 1969 Johnson
was hit by a car in Toronto and died a year later from the effects of the
accident.
Essential Listening
Steppin' On The Blues: Excellent cross section of
Johnson's work from the 20's. Includes some sizzling duets with jazzman Eddie
Lang.
He's A Jelly Roll Baker: 20-song
collection covers 1930s and '40s material in which Johnson primarily performs
blues tunes.
Me & My Crazy Self: 20
cuts from Johnson's stint with King Records covering the years 1947-52. Still
missing a few key numbers that have yet to make it to CD.
Blues & Ballads:
Fine 1960's
date teaming Johnson with rhythm guitarist Elmer Snowden
Losing Game:
Johnson recorded prolifically for Prestige's Bluesville during his
early-'60s comeback- this 1960 set is a typically marvelous solo outing.
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