Search - Johnny Shines :: Johnny Shines (1915-92)

If you've never had the blues...

"Ian Herrick" | San Jose, CA | 03/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mr. Shines will show you what it's all about. This is a great album, featuring seven tracks of Johnny playing alone and acoustic, one of him talking about the blues, and a few more of him playing with a full on Chicago-style blues band including Sunnyland Slim on piano. With one exception, I love every song on this album (the exception being his knock-off of Otis Redding's "Just a Little Tenderness"). They are so superb that they make up for the one I don't like.

The acoustic tracks show Johnny's singing and playing in all it's glory -- although surprisingly he doesn't play any slide, not that it matters because he was an excellent guitarist anyway. These songs make you listen to them again and again, marveling at his sense of swing and soulful singing. Inlcuded is a version of Memphis Minnie's "Bumble Bee." Johnny's singing and playing are incredible on this and other songs, but what makes this unique is that Johnny sings it as Minnie did, without changing the gender in the song. I don't think I've ever heard any male bluesman do that before.

The electric tracks are also great; showcasing some stinging electric slide guitar."