Larry Johnson The Early Years(blues)(mp3@320)[rogercc][h33t]

LARRY JOHNSON THE EARLY YEARS

>LARRY JOHNSON THE EARLY YEARS



Among the postwar generation of blues artists, Larry Johnson -- from Riceville, GA -- is one of the most devoted to the pure Delta and Texas styles of the '20s. He was born on May 5, 1938, in Fulton County, GA. His father was a preacher and his son would often travel with him from town to town. In this environment, Johnson was exposed to early blues records and he especially loved those of Blind Boy Fuller. It was Fuller's records that made Johnson pick up a guitar. After a stint in the Navy from 1955 to 1959, Johnson moved to New York and befriended Brownie and Sticks McGhee and began playing on records by Big Joe Williams, Harry Atkins, and Alec Seward (aka Guitar Slim). It was Seward who introduced Johnson to his future mentor, Rev. Gary Davis. He released his first single, "Catfish Blues"/"So Sweet," in 1962 and appeared on numerous live dates with Davis. By 1970, Johnson began releasing albums on small labels, including a date with John Hammond called Fast & Funky reissued on CD as Midnight Hour Blues. After years of living from gig to gig, Johnson retreated from the grind of the road. He still played ocassionally, but only on his own terms. He did, however, manage to release two albums, Johnson! Where Did You Get That Sound? in 1983 and Basin Free with Nat Riddles in 1984. By the '90s, Johnson began receiving better offers for live performances, especially in Europe. While abroad, he recorded Railroad Man released in 1990 on JSP and Blues for Harlem in 1999 on the Armadillo label. Two years later, Johnson collaborated with National slide guitar extrodonaire Brian Kramer and his band the Couch Lizards, resulting in the relaxed, yet mainly up-tempo, Two Gun Green on Armadillo. Johnson's excellent fingerpicking and acoustic blues have brought him to creating an approachment that remains timeless.



Larry Johnson Presenting the Country Blues
Label : Prestige
Format : Mp3@320



Larry Johnson, vcl/g.
New York City, 1959

01. Catfish Blues
02. Southern Train
03. Lonesome Town Blues
04. Southern California Boogie
05. Sail on Baby
06. When I Go Home
07. Trouble in Mind
08. So Sweet
09. Cherry Red
10. Step It Up and Go
11. When Things Go Wrong
12. Troubles Just Begun
13. Lovin' Machine
14. Say What You Mean



Larry & Hank - The Blues/A New Generation
Label : Prestige
Format : Mp3@320

Larry Johnson, vcl/g; Hank Adkins, vcl/g.
New York City, 25 November 1965



01. Four Women Blues
02. The Captain Don't 'low That Here
03. Tell Your Women About Me
04. Watchdog Blues
05. Death Cell
06. Two Gun Green
07. When I'm Drinking
08. Whiskey store blues
09. If You Don't Want Me Baby
10. My Gal Ain't Fat
11. Country Road Blues
12. Take These Blues Off My Mind