Customer Reviews

The Unsung Blues Legend: The Living Room Sessions

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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.

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.

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.

These records are unique. Johnson plays all of these selections solo on an a very acoustic sounding electric guitar and sings them all. Now and then he talks about the songs. This is a master who had been playing and singing for 40 years. Yet, there is so much personal sentimental and feeling here, so much expression in the guitar playing. You feel like you know the man after you hear this. You feel like you really know these songs anew after you hear this album. This is a good album for a thoughtful evening with a good glass of wine, a good friend, and an open mind!

Check out the full folkways recordings that have 24 songs like this not just 12

If you love the Johnny Cash - Rick Rubin recordings, mostly JC solo - you'll love this CD, recorded at a friend's place in New york, 1965.

Johnson, at 76, plays and plays and sings and sings effortlessly - 17 songs, mostly in a medley. Some songs run about 1:30, some 4:30. Blues/Jazz vocalists and guitarists can enjoy each track, for the full sound (presumptively off a one-microphone reel-to-reel tape recorder) and for the virtuosity. LJ's voice is clear as a bell on the fadeout at #17.

His approach is fascinating, as he vocalizes in a 1930-40s Big Band Singer style, sometimes in a whisper, sometimes in a shout, but keeping his steady vibrato going; he plays a modified Delta blues rhythm with elaborate jazz embellishments. This is Classy stuff.

The songlist encompasses songs from the '20s right into the '60s, "September Song" a highlight. "Careless Love" is not the tune I expected, the traditional folk-blues, done famously by Fats D.

Was hoping for "Tomorrow Night", his great 1947 Blues ballad (overdubbed for a 1958 reissue - should have gone Top 20!), covered by Elvis Presley and Laverne Baker. Something tells me Elvis had more than "Tomorrow Night" in his 78 Collection - and not only as a singing idol. Strange to say, and fans/historians bear with me, but Johnson's guitar runs also ring a bell with this Big El fan: I really think Presley was moved also by the *guitar* of Lonnie Johnson!

Beautiful jacket art complements a very entertaining and important CD.