Johnny B Moore - Lonesome Blues (1999) [Chicago Blues Session Vol. 05]

With the Westside All Stars. Featuring: Willie Kent, Willie Davis, Tim Taylor, Lester Davenport, Eddie Taylor.


Johnny B Moore:

The Westside of Chicago has produced some of the greatest blues musicians of this century. Men like Otis Rush and Magic Sam moved there from Mississippi, hoping to escape the cruel racism of the south, only to find a reality that may have had urban advantages, but could be equally as cruel. Their music reflected these conditions - unlike the music created by their brethren on the Southside, Westside blues had a harder edge - it screamed, it was angry. Living conditions have changed little since the 50' s but blues in the ghetto for the •most part has been replaced by funk. The Majestic Lounge, once the centre of the blues scence on the west side, has just recently discontinued if s blues policy, forcing the musicians to move to smaller clubs in the area. Yet the talent is still there. You are holding a sample of it in your hands as you read these liner notes. Just stop in at Mary' s Lounge at Pulaski and Van Buren on a Sunday night, and you will be welcomed by the sounds of one of the most versatile, young blues musicians in Chicago, Johnny B. Moore. Johnny Bill Moore was born on January 24, 1950 in Clarksdale, Miss. He began playing the blues at the age of 13, taught by various relatives and a few amateur guitarists. Unlike many of his contemporaries who were born in Chicago, Johnny B. first started playing blues because that is what he was exposed to at the time. Living in Clarksdale, he had the advantage of hearing some great bluesmen live, like Robert Nighthawk and Sonny Boy Williamson, and to absorb sounds that would later stand him in good stead. As his musical talents developed, he did not restrict himself only to blues. At the age of 13 he was playing with two gospel groups out of Clarksdale, the Spiritual Harmonism, and Brother Price and the Soul Revival. A year later, he moved to Chicago, I where he joined another gospel group called The Gospel Keys. The blues followed him north however, and once in the city he began to play with both older and younger blues musicians. Magic Sam lived in the neighbourhood and he and saxophonist Eddie Shaw would lead jam sessions in Sam' s backyard at 14 th and Karlov. Johnny never played with Sam, but he did jam with Mac Thompson and S.P. Leary, absorbing as much from these men as he could. In the late 60' s he formed a trio called The Concors with Leroy Bradley on bass, and Ronald Walker on | drums. The Condors were a versatile group, able to play jazz, r&b and soui, as well as blues. Johnny' s musical education was enhanced when he met Letha Jones, wife of the late pianist Johnny Jones, and moved into the apartment building she owned on South Keeler Avenue. She played him her collection of valuable 78' s which helped to expand his own musical repertoire. With this kind of inspiration, and a genuine feeling for the music, Johnny B. was ready to assume a key place on the Chicago Blues scene. In 1975, he joined Koko Taylor' s band, staying for 5 years, and racking up valuable road and recording experience, appearing on her 1978 Alligator album entitled The Earthshaker. After leaving Koko, Johnny formed his own group, which included well- known bass player Willie Kent, and played primarily on the west side, with frequent appearance at B.L.U.E.S on Halsted Street. This album shows Johnny B. at his best, playing with a tight band of some of the more talented but unrecognized Westside musicians. Willie Kent and Mad Dog Lester Davenport have some notoriety, having played in various clubs in Chicago on the North, South and West side. Mad Dog successfully played at Westside All-Star Jam at the 1986 Chicago Blues Festival, and is now a member of the Big Daddy Kinsey and the Kinsey Report band. Johnny' s versatility is showcased with the inclusion of his acoustic tunes, which is something you do not find on many contemporary blues albums today. Whereas some younger musicians have deserted the traditional style of playing for more jazz or rock sound, Johnny B. Moore is not afraid to explore his roots; his feeling for the music is genuine. Guitarist Willie Davis is a close friend of Willie Kent, who formerly played with Little Johnny Christian. Many people have been forecasting the demise of the blues over the last 10 years or so. As long as there are such talented and dedicated musicians as Johnny B. Moore, this is one doomsday prophecy that we can safely ignore. A trip to Westside of Chicago will bear out this fact, and besides, you are listening to the evidence.

More about Chicago Blues Session and Johnny B Moore:

Wolf Records home page - THE VERY BEST IN ORIGINAL CHICAGO & COUNTRY BLUES SINCE 27 YEARS
Johnny B Moore - Black Biography: Johnny B. Moore

Tracklist:

01. Johnny B Moore - Knockin At Your Door
02. Johnny B Moore - Lonesome Blues
03. Johnny B Moore - No Good Woman Blues
04. Johnny B Moore - Blues Medley
05. Johnny B Moore - I'm Gonna Miss You
06. Johnny B Moore - Mean Mistreater
07. Johnny B Moore - Evening Sun
08. Johnny B Moore - Sacrifice
09. Johnny B Moore - Pretty Mama
10. Johnny B Moore - Upside The Wall

Audio Mixer: Alex Munkas.
Liner Note Author: Beverly Zeldin.
Recording information: ACME Recording, Chicago, IL (08/1984-08/1987); Ed Cody, Chicago, IL (08/1984-08/1987).
Photographers: Dr. Herbert Pessiak; Beverly Zeldin; … Full DescriptionHannes Folterbauer.
Personnel includes: Johnny B. Moore (vocals, guitar); Willie Davis, Eddie Taylor (guitar); Lester Davenport (harmonica); Willie Kent (bass); Tim Taylor (drums).
Personnel: Johnny B. Moore (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar); Eddie Taylor, Will Davis (guitar); Lester Davenport (harp).


Additional info:

1. Covers - 3 Jpeg files, total size - 2.08 Mb


All thanks goes to the original releasers … / special thanks to jazznblues

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