Lie to Me

Jonny Lang | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 28, 1997)
• Original Release Date: January 28, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B000002G6A
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (158 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,680 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #18 in Music > Blues > Chicago Blues
  • #24 in Music > Blues > Modern Blues
  • #30 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Jonny Lang cut his debut album in Memphis when he was just 15, and, upon its release in 1996, the guitar prodigy from Minneapolis instantly became one of the leading lights of modern blues. He's a fast and flashy player whose approach rests equally on technical assurance and musical intelligence. Sizing up a dozen songs, he gets a pleasing, razor-sharp sound out of his ax while building excitement in his lead lines--thankfully, he steers clear of cliché and bombast. As a fledging singer, he acts out the lyrics of Ike Turner's age-old shuffle "Matchbox" and his own romantic ballad "Missing Your Love" with surprising poise and believability. Kudos to producer David Z for surrounding Lang with alert, first-rate sidemen and for helping select good material from Turner, Sonny Boy Williamson, Tinsley Ellis, and others. --Frank-John Hadley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Go Jonny Go!!, June 30, 2002

By 

Barry "Barrybgb" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lie to Me (Audio CD)

Wow. That was my reaction after my first listen to this CD that I recently got. I was hoping for something good, and in return I got something great. It's a downright shame that this guy isn't a bigger star, but Britney and O-Town are. What is wrong with the world?. Jonny was only 16 when he did this CD. 16!. He can play and sing with the best of them. Write too. Upon first listen, you think that there must be studio tampering. The guy comes off like a 45 year old. The CD starts off with the title track, a funky and up beat tune called "Lie To Me". Also included are Ike Turner's song "Matchbox". Things get awfully bluesy with the magnificent "Darker Side", and the well done and written, "A Quitter Never Wins". The more up beat, rocking tunes here are all winners. "Back For A Taste Of Your Love" is insanely catchy. My favorite track on here. "Rack 'Em Up" is a catchy toe tapper. "There's Gotta Be A Change" is as catchy as you can get. A few slower ballads like "When I Come To You" and "Missing Your Love" are very pretty and wonderfully sung. It is another moment where you can't believe his age. Lang has a throaty, smokey voice at times, but can quickly turn around and be soft and soulful. A masterful singer. His guitar playing can hold it's own up against King, Clapton, Hooker, Raitt, you name it. No doubt about it. This is music that is a total relief for people who are sick and tired of trashy rock and hard metal, and empty, vacuous TRL like music that has no depth. No soul. This, folks, IS music. Take the time to get to know Jonny. You won't be sorry.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad for a Kid, May 20, 2003

By 

Russell Diederich (Littleton, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lie to Me (Audio CD)

Kid Jonny Lang makes it big time with the release of "Lie to Me". Along with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Shannon Curfman, Lang makes up the next next generation of blues players. Lang is surprisingly talented considering his age at the time of this album's release. He plays the lead guitar and vocals throughout the album. His playing is exceptional, although his voice sounds a little thin and young. Give him a few more years dealing with record labels, and his voice will fill with the pain that is the blues (after all, Eric Clapton was well more than twice Lang's age before his voice sounded good).

There are some great gems on this album. "Good Morning Little School Girl" is an excellent cover of Sonny Boy Williams' tune. The guitar solo is well played, and the song carries well. The title track definitely rocks. One of the best tunes is "Still Wonder", a well-written slow blues, with some good guitar work in the background. Lang explodes with passion when he reaches the solo, and reigns it in to provide a call and response with his lyrics for the rest of the song. Some of his best guitar work is on "A Quitter Never Wins" and "Matchbox".

If Lang can keep it going, as he matures he'll be an incredible player. Eventually, he'll grow into his voice, adding power to it. His chops are already good, but I can see them improving a whole lot more. As long as the recording industry doesn't destroy him, in ten years Lang will be a force to reckon with.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love it!, June 21, 2000

By 

"mlca" (Newton, Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lie to Me (Audio CD)

I was meaning to buy this album for nearly 3 years before I finally did. I've always loved the track "Lie To Me", I finally bought the album a few months ago and I was really missing out!I wish I had had this album before, it is the first blues CD I owned and it has helped to open new "musical doors" to me. I know he gets accused for not being true blues, but I couldn't tell you if he is or not. I just know this album is great, from the first track on. My favorite songs are "Still Wonder" and "Missing Your Love". His vocals are really amazing on "Missing Your Love". Every track is really great though, if your like me and you usally don't listen to blues, you might need to listen to it a few times before you love it , but eventually you will. Jonny Lang is an extremley gifted guitar player and singer and he will have a very very long career.