Customer Reviews

Lie to Me

5 star:		(115)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I recently read through all the reviews, both editorial and customer, and offer the following thoughts. First of all, anyone who believes this kid lacks talent, either as a guitarist or a vocalist, is simply living in an alternate reality. As I read the negative reviews, what came through loud and clear was jealousy. How dare a mere "kid" try to be good?......Well, guess what?.....He is.... The kind of raw power Jonny demonstrates at the tender age of 16 on "Lie To Me" is nothing short of truly amazing. And while it is certainly true that you can hear the influences of bluesmen like Albert King, Albert Collins, and Luther Allison (I don't hear much Stevie) on "Lie To Me", it is also true that his own unique style is emerging. This is most noticable on the tracks, Missing Your Love and When I Come To You. His follow-up release "Wander This World", reaches down into the soul and literally drags the listener through an emotional rolley coaster ride. For the record, he plays a telecaster, not a Strat, a totally different sound. And would everyone PLEASE get off of this thing about his age! For God's sake,...who cares? Everybody's gotta start somewhere. Talent is talent, and the fact that he is so young only makes him that much more special. Think about where he will go with his music in the next 20 or 30 years....... Way to go Jonny! You will be in San Antonio on January 19 at the Majestic Theater, and I can't wait!

This kid is the real deal. A natural talent if there ever was one. The maturity in this album is amazing, since it was recorded when he was only 15-16! Are his guitar solos melodic and well phrased? You bet. Some very nice work in that regard. But for me, the real magic of Jonny is those vocals - tortured, rich, raw, real and - dare I say it? - SEXY. His voice as an instrument is a very sensual sound. I love the blues - but I ADORE the sound of this kid's voice. If I had to take one album to a deserted island, this might be it.

I was absolutely amazed when I first heard this album, especially when I found out that the artist was only 16. This was his debut album for A&M records. I can't believe he wasn't nominated for Best New Artist that year. Susan Tedeschi was nominated in that category last year, and I don't think she's as good as Jonny. So I really think he should have been nominated. But anyway, back to the review. This is a great blues album. Here is a rundown of all the songs

1. Lie To Me- written by Jonny's friend and keyboard player Bruce McCabe & David Z. This is a great song. It has become sort of his signature song. It is always used as the last song he performs on stage.

2. Darker Side-another song written by Bruce McCabe. Also another great song to hear "live."

3. Good Morning Little Schoolgirl-written by Sonny Boy Williamson. This song has been covered several times, including a version by Derek Trucks Band. But nobody does it quite like Jonny. Even though this song was originally sung by an older singer, Jonny manages to pull it off.

4. Still Wonder-written by Kevin Bowe, who has written many songs for Jonny, including his big hit Breakin' Me.

5. Matchbox-written by Ike Turner.

6. Back for a Taste of Your Love-written by Syl Johnson, Darryl Carter and Brenda Johnson.

7. A Quitter Never Wins-written by Tinsley Ellis and Margaret Sampson

8. Hit The Ground Running-written by Michael Lunn and Jeff Silbar

9. Rack Em Up-written by Bruce McCabe

10. When I Come To You-Jonny shares songwriting credit on this one with Dennis Morgan

11. There's Gotta Be a Change-written by Gwendolyn Collins

12. Missing Your Love-another one written by Jonny and Dennis Morgan. This song was the 2nd video made from this album.

If you have Wander This World and have not bought this one yet, you really should get it. You won't be disapointed.

It's amazing how much disdain these "purists" have for Jonny Lang. What a bunch of elitist snobs. They seem to think he can't possibly be talented just because he's a kid. When blues masters are saying the guy has chops, who are these clowns to say different? I'm no blues afficionado, but this kid can bring it. And if nothing else, maybe he'll turn some younger listeners on to the rest of the blues world. Would that be bad? Stow the whining and complaining just because he's been successful and your little blues band toils in obscurity.

On this, Jonny's 2nd album (first on a major record label), he seems to have lost some of the 'Big Bang' energy and vigor from his original independently released CD. He continues to draw from a number of blues influences including Albert Collins and BB King, but on this album, he has the advantage of some major label production to help him express his blues. He also uses his aged beyond his years voice to belt out a few well chosen covers including renditions of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Good Morning Little School Girl" and Ike Turner's "Matchbox".

Jonny's musical/vocal styles and energy level remains fairly constant throughout this album and the selections written by Bruce McCabe, including "Rack 'em Up", "Darker Side" and the title track heat up the set quite a bit and help make a succesful debut for Jonny on this major label.

This CD is full of great tunes that make you want to get up and dance. I purchased this CD quite a while after having his "Wander This World" CD...and I was not disappointed. While "Lie to Me" has a much more bluesy tone to its songs, it still indicates that Jonny will be around a long time to come.

"Matchbox" has to be my ultimate favorite song. It fun, light and makes you want to get up and dance a bit. But there are some great songs on here, including "Darker Side", "Lie to Me", "A Quitter never Wins" and "Back for a Taste of your Love".

Nothing beats a LIVE performance by the Jonny Lang Band...but until you can get to your next show, this is a great CD that will be a value to your collection!

Happy listening!

This guy is unbelievable for his age. He is extremely talented. I wish he would make more music. If you want a CD that you can pop in and chill to, this is your CD. BUY IT! If you don't like it, send it to me. I can use another copy!