Lonnie Johnson Albums (7)
What The Critics Say
One of the towering figures of the blues, Lonnie Johnson] is rarely put in the category of the other blues greats, men with household names such as {$Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker, and it's hard to understand why. A mesmeric guitarist, a gifted singer and a great songwriter, Johnson is revered among blues enthusiasts despite his rather slim recording output. ?Ramblers Blues", a budget collection of Johnson's work, is a decent enough overview of the guitarist's output, containing the classic title track and fifteen other top-drawer performances, but it's hard to see the purpose of the collection. As a scattershot ?best-of', it's fine, but it's under strong competition from both Document and Columbia, who offer superlative collections of Johnson's work, and there seems little point in selecting this disc as a sampler of the artist. ~ Thomas Ward, All Music Guide
'Blues, Ballads, and Jumpin' Jazz, Vol. 2'
Release Date 7/31/1995
Tracks 10
Label Ace
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
When producer Chris Albertson brought Lonnie Johnson and guitarist Elmer Snowden into a studio for this album on April 9, 1960, both musicians hadn't recorded in a number of years. Indeed, Snowden hadn't seen the inside of a studio in 26 years, but you'd never know it by the fleet-fingered work he employs on the opening "Lester Leaps In," where he rips off one hot chorus after another. Johnson plays a dark-toned electric while Snowden plays acoustic, with Wendell Marshall rounding things out on bass. Given Johnson's reputation as a closet jazzer, it's remarkable that he merely comps rhythm behind Snowden's leads on "C-Jam Blues" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street." Johnson handles all the vocals, turning in an especially strong turn on the second take of "Stormy Weather." Lots of studio chatter make this disc of previously unissued material a real joy to listen to, a loose and relaxed session with loads of great playing and singing to recommend it. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide
'Another Night to Cry'
Release Date 1/1/1962
Tracks 11
Label Bluesville/Original Blues Classics
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Lonnie Johnson, a talented vocalist and guitarist who chose to spend much of his life playing blues (although in the 1920s he recorded with some of the top jazz stars), had his fifth recording for Prestige/Bluesville (a solo set) reissued on this CD. "Blues After Hours" is an instrumental that shows off his jazz roots and many of the 11 songs (all of which are Johnson originals) have spots for his guitar. Since there is only around 34 minutes on this set (which could have been combined on one CD with the music from another LP) and none of the individual songs even reach four minutes, this is not one of the more essential Lonnie Johnson releases but it does have its strong moments. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Johnson and Victoria Spivey had known one another for decades (they duetted on the ribald "Toothache Blues" way back in 1928), so it's no surprise that their musical repartee on 1961's Idle Hours seems so natural and playful. Spivey guests on three tracks (including the title number) and plays piano on her one solo entry. Johnson does the majority of the disc without her, benefitting from pianistic accompaniment by Cliff Jackson. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
'Blues & Ballads'
Release Date 1/1/1960
Tracks 10
Label Bluesville/Original Blues Classics
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
This combination works quite well. Guitarist-singer Lonnie Johnson was just starting a successful comeback, and here he is teamed up with acoustic rhythm guitarist Elmer Snowden (who had not recorded since 1934) and bassist Wendell Marshall. Johnson sings smooth blues and sentimental ballads with equal skill, and both guitarists have opportunities to display their complementary but distinctive styles. This CD reissue is easily recommended, as is its more instrumental counterpart, Blues, Ballads, and Jumpin' Jazz, Vol. 2. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Losing Game'
Release Date 1/1/1960
Tracks 12
Label Bluesville/Original Blues Classics
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Johnson recorded prolifically for Prestige's Bluesville during his early-'60s comeback; this 1960 set is a typically gorgeous solo outing that ranges from torchy standards of the Tin Pan Alley species ("What a Difference a Day Makes," "Summertime") to bluesier pursuits of his own creation. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide
'Blues by Lonnie Johnson'
Release Date 1/1/1960
Tracks 12
Label Bluesville
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
After four years off records and in obscurity, Lonnie Johnson launched his final comeback with this release, which has been reissued on CD. Teamed with tenor saxophonist Hal Singer, pianist Claude Hopkins, bassist Wendell Marshall and drummer Bobby Donaldson, Johnson sings and plays guitar on a variety of blues, showing that the layoff (he was working at the time as a janitor) had not hurt his abilities in the slightest. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
