Customer Reviews

Foot Hill Stomp

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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

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.

A friend who recently moved from my hometown of Boston to Rio Grand of Texas returned home on vacation with this CD is his discman. I played it in my car and within 24 hours bought it for myself. Fantastic blues! You can't help but want to tap your foot or nod your head to the raw power and pervasive energy that runs throughout the album. I know diddly about blues music or artists. But I know what I like and this album is now one of my favorites. Can't wait for more to be released.

That's right! Typically, I don't review CDs of any band or any person. I know what I like and people know what they like. So, why in the hell would I want somebody telling me what is good and what is bad???? But, when you come across a talented genius like Mr. Johston, one must give accolades.
When I first saw Richard tuning his signature Lowebow guitar on Beale St., I said sarcastically "great, another white boy trying to sing the blues." But, by God when he hit the first licks to "201 Poplar" (a song not on this CD, but hopefully on his next) I knew that the Phoenix of the blues was risen. Doing some of Jr. Kimbroughs and R.L. Burnsides and his own songs he has breathed new life not only into country blues, but blues in general.
I have been a huge fan of African blues (in particular Ali Farka Toure). However, I really don't get the chance to get down to Mali as often as I would like. And most blues concerts in the states are mediocre at best. Richard not only brings down the house, but the sky and heaven topple down too!!!!!! FTRC

I was walking down beale street when I came upon a smal crowd gathered in the street around where music was playing. As I aproached the crowd I could see that a man was sitting there on the sidewalk playign what looked like to be the harmonica, a guitar(cigar box with a pickup and broomsticks for a neck) and the bass drums barefoot. I thought no way is he really playing all that at once, and I tried to look behind him to see if there was just a cd playing in the background. Sure enough though I was wrong, totally wrong. I am a fan of rock music but I also enjoy my blues every once and a while. I went into the music store behind him and bought his cd. It was $20 but believe me it was well spent. I like that semi-blues artists such as jack johnson and the white stripes are begining to make it mainstream, but I think that Richard Johnston has more musical talent than either of them. I desperately want my local radio station to start playing some of his songs, just so others can enjoy his music. "Miss Maebelle" is a great jam song to listen to while driving, and the begining of "Work Me Baby" almost sounds like a stripped down AC/DC song. All In All Great CD,(+ you should see him live if possible).

I first saw Richard Johnston at the 2002 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. He was awesome! Unbelievably, the CD is just as good. Buy it.

Somewhere around the beginning of September, I was walking down Beale Street, and on one end there was a large crowd gathered. I checked it out, and what I found was a guy playing guitar, harmonica, drums, and singing all at the same time. There were people dancing in the street, and immediately, you could tell that Richard Johnston not only knows how to feel the blues, but plays them better than most. If you have the chance, see him live, but if not, get this CD! I bought it from him on the street, and I still listen to it on a daily basis. I'm ready for the next CD to come out, hopefully it will include a song called "201 Poplar" that he played live, but is not on his first CD. If you like country blues with power behind them, then this CD should be a part of your collection!

This is a great album, definitely worth the hearing...
Go on and get it, you won't regret it.
Country blues from Beale Street, sweetness and energy for your hears...
Richard has been fighting for years to get that CD done without the help of any major label. He deserves our respect and enthusiasm!
Enjoy...!

If you're ever fortunate to have Richard perform in your neck of the woods, YOU MUST GO!!! You will be absolutely amazed!! This CD is a definite must for every serious blues lover's most prized collection. I can't wait for the next one to come out!