Search - Johnny Guitar Watson :: Real Mother for Ya

A Soul Classic

WILLIE A YOUNG II | Houston, TX. | 06/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though he never recieved the accolades and praise, let alone the chart success he truly deserved, the late Johnny "Guitar" Watson was a musical genius, writer, producer, arranger and guitarist without peer. The title track of this brilliant LP is probably his finest moment ("Superman Lover" comes close though) and is one of those songs that you simply MUST turn up loud when it comes on the radio. His backing band is especially tight, laying down a funky groove on bass, drums and funky clavinet that will dig into your sub-concious and yet it retains an airy, jazzy feel throughout. Watsons' vocal delivery is a fine melding of early rap, blues singing and spoken-word that transforms timeless lyrics (..'rent's goin' up higher, got the parents lyin'(I'll pay you tomorrow) ' they makin' milk outta powder, got the babies cryin''(poor babies, they don't know what that stuff is!)into pure poetry. My other fave on this LP is the breezy jazz feel of "Thank You", another terrific uptempo number with a catchy chorus, jaunty horns and Watson's double tracked vocals on the choruses. While Black radio always supported his work and he maintained a huge following in R&B circles, for some reason his work was largely ignored by other 'mainstream' programmers and listeners. Too bad for them, because this is some of the best soul music ever recorded and would have slaughtered the competition on the charts had it been given the proper exposure. Just listen for yourself."

Genius

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 02/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"hearing the genius of this Man was a real treat.his guitar playing is classic.this album is funky&has some tight slow jams.as writer,arranger,Producer,&Instrumentalist this Brother could do it all."