Very Best Of King/Federal/DeLuxe Records (series)

The Very Best of Lonnie Johnson

by Lonnie Johnson

Description by OLDIES.com:

Alonzo Johnson will forever be known by his nickname Lonnie. A true blues guitar master, he was prolifically recorded as a vocalist accompanying himself on acoustic guitar from 1925 to 1945 on Okeh, Decca and Bluebird. He recorded hundreds of sides under his own name during that period, and also worked as a sideman on many recording dates, accompanying Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington among others. He signed with King Records in 1947 and 24 of his greatest hits with them can be found on this CD. These hits include "Tomorrow Night," "Drunk Again" and "Working Man's Blues."

Product Description:

Personnel: Lonnie Johnson; Hal Singer, Hot Lips Page, Tom Archia.

Recording information: Cincinnati, Ohio (1947 - 1952).

In the late 1940s and early '50s, revered blues guitarist/vocalist Lonnie Johnson recorded for the King label, and this 2005 compilation culls tracks from that time, a period just before he temporarily retired from music. (He was rediscovered during the folk/blues revival of the '60s.) Although earlier recordings found Johnson largely sticking to ballads, this set focuses on his more straightforward blues work. Sometimes backed by piano, bass, and drums, Johnson, with his plaintive singing and potent guitar playing, is always at the fore, while any other instruments seem far in the distance. This effect allows Johnson's considerable talents to shine, whether he's longing for female companionship ("I Want My Baby," "What a Real Woman," etc.) or dealing with other difficulties. Johnson's emotive brand of blues is immediately appealing and technically astonishing, making it no mystery why so many other bluesmen--including Robert Johnson (no relation) and B.B. King--were influenced by him. An excellent 25-song collection, THE VERY BEST OF LONNIE JOHNSON is an ideal introduction to this blues master.