Memphis Barbecue Sessions

Big Jack Johnson

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 19, 2002)
• Original Release Date: February 26, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: M.C. Records
• ASIN: B00005YDNN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #154,147 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This laid-back, mostly acoustic session has the vibe of friends gathered on the front porch of a shotgun shack during a hot Delta night. But the playing couldn't get much more deep and fine, especially when guitarist-singer Big Jack Johnson settles into the sweet, sad melody of his Howlin' Wolf-inspired "Humming Blues" with Kim Wilson at his side, conjuring the ghost of Sonny Boy Williamson with his harmonica. Octogenarian Pinetop Perkins adds dirty pearls of roadhouse piano to that number and "Lonesome Road." And Wilson picks up a guitar and sings along on "I'm Going Out Walking"--the first recorded hint of Wilson's considerable six-string abilities. But the disc's brightest moments are Johnson's, as he transforms John Lee Hooker's "Bluebird" into a T-Bone Walker-style workout, puts Muddy Waters licks behind "I'm Going Out Walking," and breaks up his heavy-handed strumming with hummingbird-speed fills, hammer-ons, and other guitar tricks. It's more proof that Johnson--either live on any of the hundreds of dates he plays each year or in the studio--is one of the reigning masters of contemporary Mississippi blues. --Ted Drozdowski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not Classic, March 10, 2002

By	"pl500" (USA- Love it or leave it) - See all my reviews

Big Jack Johnson has made other records but this is his first without his band the Oilers. Kim Wilson was called into help produce an acoustic record with Jack Johnson and the result is this fine record. The set is a mixture of original tunes (Humming Blues,Lonesome Road),and some covers (Dust my Broom, My Babe)are done over well by Kim and Jack.

I think though that it could have been done better, on some tracks Jack seems tired and almost unable to phrase vocally. Kim's in top notch shape though, but at times it seems that some of the magic slips away, he plays impeccably though and he is still probably the best old school blues harp player playing today. This record proves it(as do his other records).

I like this album alot but I still think they could have done better. You should buy this record though, the performances are solid and its all from the heart. Thats all we ask for really isn't it?

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finger Lickin' Good, December 14, 2002

By	John Walker "Guitar Lover" (Manistee, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I only bought this album because of Kim Wilson. I had never heard of Big Jack Johnson. He is one of the best bad guitar players I've ever heard. This album is rough-hewn blues in the raw, and once you hear it you won't be able to turn it off. The dynamics are moderate, and Big Jack will tickle your ears from start to stop.

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Just Thankful!, October 25, 2006

By	Ecologist_1 - See all my reviews

...that there is still blues like this being recorded. I bought this one because of Big Jack. I've heard of Kim Wilson, but I don't own anything he has recorded except for this. Big Jack's laid back style conflicts a bit with Wilson's intensity, but overall it's a great blues album. The second piece, Humming Blues, with Big Jack, Kim Wilson and Pinetop Perkins is a real treat.