Historian: Johnny Johnson (he plays the piano)

[HL]

Your views on his talent.

Thanks.

[Historian]

Re: Johnnie Johnson

Your views on his talent.

Thanks.

HL, I saw your post yesterday, but since you posted no link, and because I had no idea who on earth Johnnie Johnson was, I wasn’t able to reply immediately.

Now that I have some free time, I checked YouTube.

Quite simply, Johnson is an excellent pianist in the twelve-bar blues format! His playing reminds me of other outstanding blues pianists like Ray Charles, etc., and I certainly enjoyed the numbers I listened to just now! By the way, check out Johnnie’s lead guitarist, Les Karski, on the live link I’m posting below. These guys are really good blues players!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-erUKep2wI

Now, despite his taste and beautiful blues-based technique, Johnnie Johnson is no Monty Alexander or Oscar Peterson!! The blues is really simple music, and relies primarily on “feel” along with some technique. It is therefore difficult to evaluate a twelve-bar blues player when compared to incredible jazz perfectionists like Monty Alexander and Oscar Peterson!

[Historian]

In Addition

Listening to Johnnie’s vocals and Les Karski’s guitar solos, I sometimes got the uncanny feeling I was listening to a 1960s live performance by the great Jimi Hendrix!

[HL]

HL, I saw your post yesterday, but since you posted no link, and because I had no idea who on earth Johnnie Johnson was, I wasn’t able to reply immediately.

Now that I have some free time, I checked YouTube.

Quite simply, Johnson is an excellent pianist in the twelve-bar blues format! His playing reminds me of other outstanding blues pianists like Ray Charles, etc., and I certainly enjoyed the numbers I listened to just now! By the way, check out Johnnie’s lead guitarist, Les Karski, on the live link I’m posting below. These guys are really good blues players!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-erUKep2wI

Now, despite his taste and beautiful blues-based technique, Johnnie Johnson is no Monty Alexander or Oscar Peterson!! The blues is really simple music, and relies primarily on “feel” along with some technique. It is therefore difficult to evaluate a twelve-bar blues player when compared to incredible jazz perfectionists like Monty Alexander and Oscar Peterson!

Saw Johnny Johnson in a Chuck Berry documentary. He played the piano behind Berry. I was just blown away with some of his leads.

Thank you very much for your input

[Mosiah]

HL, I saw your post yesterday, but since you posted no link, and because I had no idea who on earth Johnnie Johnson was, I wasn’t able to reply immediately.

Now that I have some free time, I checked YouTube.

Quite simply, Johnson is an excellent pianist in the twelve-bar blues format! His playing reminds me of other outstanding blues pianists like Ray Charles, etc., and I certainly enjoyed the numbers I listened to just now! By the way, check out Johnnie’s lead guitarist, Les Karski, on the live link I’m posting below. These guys are really good blues players!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-erUKep2wI

Now, despite his taste and beautiful blues-based technique, Johnnie Johnson is no Monty Alexander or Oscar Peterson!! The blues is really simple music, and relies primarily on “feel” along with some technique. It is therefore difficult to evaluate a twelve-bar blues player when compared to incredible jazz perfectionists like Monty Alexander and Oscar Peterson!

I knew there was something I liked about Johnnie Johnson's music but I couldn't quite put my finger on it, until I read your post, Historian.

You see, I also subscribe to that 12-bar format you speak of!

[Gamma]

one scotch, one bourbon, one beer ........

[Historian]

A Bit Puzzled....

one scotch, one bourbon, one beer ........

Gamma, I’m not sure what is the connection between the oldie, “One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer” and blues pianist Johnnie Johnson.

(By the way, HL, his first name is actually spelt “Johnnie”, not “Johnny” (lol).

[HL]

Thanks Historical One!

I have afeeling that you would enjoy the Chuck Berry documentary that featured Johnnie Johnson as pianist..

The documentary was put together by Keith Richards. Robert Cray was also featured. (I love Robert Cray. I have about 3 of his CD's).

Let me break you off a bit:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...61CE2E17A85825

[Gamma]

mosiah and his 12 bars ..... is rum bar him talking!!!

[Historian]

Revisiting Johnnie Johnson

Thanks Historical One!

I have afeeling that you would enjoy the Chuck Berry documentary that featured Johnnie Johnson as pianist..

The documentary was put together by Keith Richards. Robert Cray was also featured. (I love Robert Cray. I have about 3 of his CD's).

Let me break you off a bit:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...61CE2E17A85825

HL, sometimes when I post a comment here, I wonder how well I’m communicating whatever issue is being discussed.

Now, like Mosiah, I absolutely love the blues, boss! This is the stuff I grew up on, and I remember in my younger days introducing my friends and peers to Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Muddy Waters, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ray Charles, and many others.

Again I will state, though, that the blues is feel-oriented! If you carefully check out the solo by Johnnie Johnson on the link you provided, his piano playing involves absolutely nothing complex (chords, technique), but it is nonetheless VERY beautiful. I truly enjoyed Johnson’s piano solo (and Clapton’s guitar), but there was no difficulty in terms of technique; the success was that hard-to-describe-aspect which I randomly call feel.

If you wish, by way of technique comparison, you may check out Monty Alexander’s “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” which I posted a few weeks ago. (By the way, I also like guitarist Robert Cray’s music. I remember him from the 1980s, but he had slipped off my radar!)

[Mosiah]

mosiah and his 12 bars ..... is rum bar him talking!!!

Come on, Historian, whatever happened to that very cultured sense of humour!

[Historian]

“Historian”?! (Lol)

Come on, Historian, whatever happened to that very cultured sense of humour!

That was Gamma, boss.