The Unsung Blues Legend: The Living Room Sessions

Lonnie Johnson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 29, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blues Magnet
• ASIN: B00004UAIF
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,005 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #19 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Traditional Blues

Track Listings

1. This Love of Mine

2. September Song

3. Don't Cry Baby

4. Solitude

5. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)

6. I Can't Give You Anything But Love

7. St. Louis Blues

8. New Orleans Blues

9. Careless Love

10. Danny Boy [Guitar Solo]

11. Backwater Blues

12. My Mother's Eyes

13. Prisoner of Love

14. There'll Be Some Changes Made

15. Jelly, Jelly

16. Summertime

17. Rockin' Chair [Fade Out]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lonnie did it all, and it all came straight from his soul!, July 23, 2000

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unsung Blues Legend: The Living Room Sessions (Audio CD)

I am amazed that Lonnie Johnson does not receive more attention in the guitar magazines and history books. He was a hero to Robert Johnson and B. B. King. The scope of what he did over a 50 plus year career included outstanding down & dirty blues (which in my opinion far outshine Robert Johnson) to early electric blues, to jump blues, to suave sentimental jazzy blues. On top of this, when you listen to him, you can tell this music comes from some very deep place within the man. I REALLY WISH THERE WAS MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE ABOUT HIS LIFE.

These recordings have not been previously issued. They were recorded in the home of a guy named Bernie Strassberg in 1965. The sound is great, with a very intimate, comfortable feel. You can hear flashes of Lonnie's brilliance on the guitar. I only wish I could have heard him play with Duke Ellington's band in 1961 or seen him with Buddy Guy in 1970.

Thanks Bernie! You've done us all a great favor. Buy this disk now.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So simple, so pure..., March 21, 2005

By 

Guy Gillor "Aeroguy" (Be'er Sheva, Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unsung Blues Legend: The Living Room Sessions (Audio CD)

I never meant to get this CD. Actually, I never heard of it. a few weeks ago I ordered a few CD's somewhere and when I got them, they added this CD as a bonus. I listened to it once, and then I just couldn't stop. I never got so amazed from such a simple thing. You can hear th 66 year-old Lonnie, ssitting at a friend's house with an acoustic guitar, just spilling his heart out. It doesn't matter that the recording is not in the best quality, it even adds to the feeling. His voice is so bittersweet, it brings me tears to listen to him. such a perfect combination of voice and his unique guitar playing... another thing is that you can really tell it was recorded at a home surrounding: kids running around, talking to "daddy"... all of the atmosphere make it one of the best, honest and heartful recordings I ever heard.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant Statement From A Masterful Performer, January 13, 2005

By 

Adam E. Maroney "Nighttripper" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unsung Blues Legend: The Living Room Sessions (Audio CD)

Lonnie Johnson's "The Unsung Blues Legend: The Living Room Sessions," is a remarkable monument to a man whose lengthy musical career spanned over six decades and reached stellar heights and very low points, such as when he was reduced to working as a custodian. The setting is informal with a warm, laid-back ambiance that you wish would never end. Johnson gently flows from one classic song to another, all the while making you feel as though you are right there in the same living room sitting in a comfortable chair and enjoying the beautiful sounds. The faint sounds of talking children in the background makes this recording all the more real, as if it could have been made in your own home or in that of a friend. By the time Johnson finishes this set, you do feel as though you have made a good friend, for whom you feel some pity for because he was never given the recognition such an outstanding artist is worthy of. Pick up a copy of this CD, you'll be glad you did.