Foot Hill Stomp

Richard Johnston | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 3, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tornado Records
• ASIN: B00006IK2Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,389 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Miss Maebelle

2. Do the Romp

3. Coal Black Mattie

4. Catfish Blues/I Feel Good Little Girl

5. Work Me Baby

6. Come on In

7. That's No Way to Get Along

8. The Shaggy Hound

9. Chicken and Gravy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Promising Blues Musician of Our Time!!!, July 10, 2005

By 

Rude "The Bandit" (The Boro) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Foot Hill Stomp (Audio CD)

Richard Johnston has become arguably the most recognized street musician in America and his 2002 W.C. Handy nominated, self-produced debut album entitled, "Foot Hill Stomp" has proven to be one of the top-selling independent blues albums in history. This CD is unbelievable, a definite must for every blues lover! Be prepared to be completely blown away. This CD was released in 2002 but it is such a gem that I will just have to allow it to be submitted in my top 10 CD's of the year and I can almost promise it will be the #1 Blues/Rock CD you should buy in 2005.

Richard is a one man show playing the guitar, drums, harmonica and singing all at the same time. He must be something to really see, ( I personally haven't seen him live yet) but just ask anyone who has ever visited the famous Beale St. in Memphis and they will peel your ears back telling you about this guy with a homemade guitar that looks like a cigar box with two broomsticks for a neck that will leave a crowd of thousands totally mesmerized by his music within minutes. This is gritty-muddy blues at it's best, some of my favorite trance-inducers on this CD are of course the Junior Kimbrough classics 'Catfish Blues/I Feel Good Little Girl' and 'Work Me Baby' this tune is awesome and you must put the volume on maximum, and 'Do The Romp' will get your blood a pumping, also the R.L Burnside song 'Come On In' is the icing on the cake! Man I can not stress enough what a awesome display of music by such a talented genius this is. My words are almost useless in trying to describe the sounds on this disc by this incredible artist!!! What are you waiting for buy this CD, no wait, buy three of them and give one to a friend, and then keep the other two for yourself, you'll need two of them because you will wear one of them out!!!!!!!

The Bandit

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Great, Great Blues Recording!, September 5, 2002

By 

Patrick K Lanzing - See all my reviews

This review is from: Foot Hill Stomp (Audio CD)

This record, the first by the incredible Richard Johnston, is a stone blues classic. It is one fine musician's expression the North Mississippi Hill Country sound, as exemplified by Junior Kimbrough, R.L. Burnside and many others. (You might want to check out the "Deep Blues" DVD here on Amazon if you aren't familiar with sound...its a decent introduction.) It's been done before, of course, with greatest commercial success by the North Mississippi All-Stars.

The big difference is that Richard Johnston's understanding, soul and musicianship are not only up to the task of recasting this great music, he makes of each of these songs something new and all his own. ...

Words are damn near useless to describe the ways this record works its wonders. It is, first, a showcase for a brilliant musician and his friends -- just check out Cedric Burnside's incredible earthquakin' drumming on "Work Me Baby." It is a tribute to the great musicians in the Hill Country blues tradition. And it is, like all really great records, a force of nature, a twister that will get more and more powerful as it moves across the land.

... ...

PKL

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For all people, not just blues fans, June 24, 2003

By 

David Koblentz "King's X Guru" (Edison, New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Foot Hill Stomp (Audio CD)

Richard is a strange bird indeed (that's a good thing). Here we have an artist who started playing out on the streets of Memphis (by way of Austin, TX and some years honing his craft in Japan!!) making it all the way into the pages rolling stone recently (not to mention winning the BB King guitar award and International Blues Artist of the year). Richard has helped to resurrect Mississippi Hill Country blues and presents it in its raw, powerfull and primal form. You can't help but tap your toes to most of the tunes included on this CD. As with other reviewers I was introduced to Richard via his live shows (which will mesmerize you) but I have had the CD for some time now to digest. Richard is the american dream, starting from humble beginnings to acclaim all through hard work, perserverance, and genuine love of the craft. This translates into his music. The CD was recorded in 48 hours but you would never know. There is energy and vibe captured here, not just notes strummed on a guitar. Richard's voice has a soulful edge but also an ease about it. The guitar sound is often "dirty" and gritty sounding, almost reminding you (in some way) of a washboard tone. This blends perfectly into the pace of most of the tunes. The stunners here are Miss Maebelle, Catfish Blues, Coal black Mattie and Work Me Baby. I dare anyone to listen to Coal black Mattie and NOT tap their foot... if you dont, better check for a pulse. I am aware of all the Junior Kimbrough references/history etc but as a somewhat 'non' blues fan it doesnt matter much to me. What matters is the feel and energy here, it isnt perfect throughout the whole album but this reaches far above anything you may have heard for some time. PS: Jessie May Hemphill adds some great flavor to this CD as well.