Amen, Johnny.
peterfromkanata | Kanata, Ontario Canada | 11/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I agree completely with Anders' review. I'm ashamed to admit that I was not familiar with Johnny Adams until the mid-nineties, when I read a review of one of his CDs ( "Man of My Word" ? )in Living Blues magazine. I bought the CD, and was knocked out with Johnny's voice, timing and feel for a song. It seemed like only a short time later, when I read about Johnny again--this time it was his obituary. I remember feeling upset that music should lose such a fine talent.This disc maintains Johnny's high standard of excellence and taste--all tracks are good and, like the classic "Ill Wind", Johnny has a way of making a song his own. Whether you prefer jazz, R & B or straight blues, there is much here for you to savour.We seem to live in an era where commercially-successful "superstars" must sing in a histrionic, "over-the-top" style--or--in too many cases--where vocalists cannot really sing at all. Johnny could sing--man, could he sing !When I first heard Johnny, I understood that New Orleans was his home base. I thought--wouldn't it be cool to visit the "Big Easy" some day, go into a club and hear Mr. Adams in person ?
Sadly, this will never happen. My consolation is to have this disc, and several others, to enjoy and to appreciate his artistry.Highly recommended indeed !"
This is the blues.....
Anders Jonasson | Bankeryd Sweden | 06/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you want classy blues..this is it. Johnny Adams soars his way thru bluesballads,gospels.funk.swingblues,and shuffles
This album is so good that it has been on my turntable constantly for 3 days. Johnny Adams passed away in 1998 and this album is from 1996 ..so it must have been one of his last ones.
I suppose Adams been influenced by all great blues singers,,but one could guess that singers like Joe Wiliams and Percy Mayfield are among those influences.There are some wonderful renditions of Percy Mayfield tunes like "Half awoke" and and the funky "Cookin in style"
The sidemen on this album are among my alltime favourite groove musicians..how about Dr Lonnie Smith on hammond b3 an Jimmy Ponder on the guitar..and those two guys digs into the grooves like noone else.
There is also some great alto sax by Donald Harrisson Jr that happened to pass by the studio that day..just like that...
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"