Listen to a track or purchase Still Blue
Listen to a track or purchase Worksongs
"Still Blue - Still Great" ★★★★★ !!!
I got Bill Johnson's CD "Still Blue" last week - and boy do I love it! I didn't want this CD to finish - but when it did I went back to the beginning and started listening all over again! Great songs, great voice, and I love Bill's guitar playing.
The Blues Underground Network Year End Review 2011 "Best Canadian Blues Recording - Bill Johnson/Still Blue, Best Blues Song - Bill Johnson/Another One, Number One Recording International Top Ten - Bill Johnson/Still Blue".
BILL JOHNSON - STILL BLUE
Bill Johnson, the name might not say much to you at this time, but we hope with “Still Blue” this will change soon. The man started as a 9 year old playing the guitar and according to his own saying was in the beginning mainly influenced by Chuck Berry, the Stones and Eric Clapton. Later on he studied the styles of BB King and Elmore James among others. In 2006 he was nominated for the Maple Blues Award "Best Guitarist" for his cd simply titled “Live”. Not taking a break he continued working on another surprising authentic Country-blues style album called “Worksongs”.
With this cd "Still Blue" he's opened doors to the European Blues fans/lovers. Eight self written or co-written songs and four excellent covers together made an album which grabs your attention from the beginning until the end.
Our End-year chart list was already in when we wrote this review, otherwise sympathetically this Canadian would have been part of it.
The covers of Walker’s “T-Bone Blues” and Willie Dixon’s “300 Pounds Of Heavenly Joy”, are excellent examples of a perfectly done job. These two and Bill Johnson’s own songs are of the same high quality level.
We could not help but pick out one song. The phenomenal “Half The Man”, with brilliant guitar work, is a real candidate for blues song of the year. Sometimes it makes me think of Al Stone, and then again Chris Rea. The magnificent soulful singing, a two and a half minute guitar solo that even would have Eric Clapton applauding, completes it really as a world class song.
But nevertheless, it seems wrong to pick just one out. It doesn’t do justice to other songs like “Experience” in which you hear a screaming slide, or “Worked To Death”, a great Chicago-Blues-song.
We would say listen to the entire album, and find that together with Rick Erickson (bass and vocals), John Hunter (drums and vocals), and Darcy Philips (keyboards and vocals), Bill Johnson has made a fantastic release that we highly recommend.
Originally written in Dutch and translated by Robbert Smits
Rootstime is located in Belgium.
Nominated for 2011 Maple Blues Awards For "Best Blues Recording - Still Blue, Best Song Writer, and Best Performing Artist."
Western Canada Music Association 2011 Nominated for "Best Blues Recording - Still Blue Bill Johnson
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"It’s a great album, I was very impressed with the songs, the recording and the whole package…top twenty this year….." Johnny Max, HAZE FM |
I just got this one today and I really like it. I mean I really like it! This is a well composed rockin blues party. You gotta imagine I listen to a lot of music and a lot of it just plays in the background. This one made me stop and listen.
“Still Blue” Bill Johnson (Independent) **** +
I’ve been a fan since I saw Bill play at an annual general meeting of the Victoria Blues Society a couple of years ago. This follow up to 2007’s magnificent “Work Songs” was released in 2010, and is currently up for the WCMA Best Blues Recording, and no wonder- it is supple and magnificent, likely his breakout album.
Bill’s been playing guitar since age 9, but it wasn’t the blues that got to him first. “Chuck Berry is the one that did it for me” Johnson notes on his website. “Chuck made me want to play.” That much is obvious when you listen to a song like “Red Hot”. In the 70’s and 80’s he was drawn into the blues by studying masters such as BB King and T-Bone Walker, and hasn’t looked back since.
Where “Work Songs” was rough around the edges in a very satisfying way “Still Blue” is more polished. Unlike other bluesmen such as his friend David Gogo, Johnson prefers a more laid back approach to the blues. “My music isn’t aboutenergy, energy, energy” he told me in an email, “I have many different feels; finger style, slide, flat picked, fast, lyrical, laid back., swampy- I suppose it’s all about what you like.” That’s why “Still Blue” works so well- it’s a combination of styles that works when you get all these songs together. From the fun loving and up tempo “300 Pounds Of Heavenly Joy” (I first heard it by Howlin’ Wolf) to the slow, lonesome burn of a song like “Half The Man”, Johnson touches all the bases. His voice certainly suits the blues, and as guitarist I’d put him in the same league as Duke Robillard, he’s that good. If you’re into the blues but don’t yet know Bill Johnson, get started with a visit to CD Baby.
Sweet Spots; “Half The Man”, “Fishing With Your Boots On”, “Worked To Death”, “300 Pounds Of Heavenly Joy”
Bill Johnson contributes eight originals to his Still Blue, each one a fine example of a contemporary blues song, not merely a retread of a familiar 12 bar theme, and each sung in his evocative voice. The variety of approaches, from the sneaky slide on “Another One” to the crisp lead guitar midway between Cray and Knopfler on “Habitual Survivor” is invigorating. Very hip phrases and a hard-luck lyric make the minor-key “Half The Man” stand out. Johnson shows he can reliably deliver straight blues on his shuffle “Old Les Paul Guitar” and three well-chosen covers from Slim Harpo, T-Bone Walker, and Howlin’ Wolf. Lee Roy Parnell’s roadhouse rocker “Red Hot” rounds out the set. A gem of an album!
By Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue Magazine
"Still Blue" is a great album! Everything about it shines, the writing, the production, the vocals and those musicians, just drivin' it!
"Still Blue" was released in 2010 and was described as Bill Johnson's breakout CD, a statement I find hard to believe, yet not surprising, as I know an awful lot of great Blues Artists, particularly in Canada, for whom the mainstream of so called Blues Music Fans, have just not yet woken up to. It is certainly a sad commentary when an Artist, as talented as Bill Johnson is, still remain widely unknown, despite all the contributions they have made to the Canadian Blues Scene. Recognition however, for what I consider to not only be Bill Johnson's best work to date, but also what I consider to be one of the better Blues Albums I have had the good fortune to listen to, so far for 2011, did not take long to materialize, with "Still Blue" winning not one, but two Blewzzy Awards from the highly respected Mary4Music.com, 2010 Best Blues CD and 2010 Best Song "Half the Man". This in addition to many rave reviews, will hopefully be the catalyst needed to wake up a lot of Blues fans to Bill's music.
"Still Blue" consists of 12 great Tracks of Bill Johnson style blues, of which eight were either written or co-written by Bill, essentially, the first half of the album and and two Tracks on the second half. Sandwiched in between the amazing songs that Bill wrote were 4 great choices for Covers, "300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy" (Willie Dixon), "Red Hot" (Lee Roy Parnell & Chris Moore), King Bee (James Moore aka Slim Harpo), and T-Bone Blues (T-Bone Walker). All Covers were interpreted to perfection with the addition of Bill Johnson's brilliance that would certainly make any of the originators proud. Joining in on this production were musicians Rick Erickson (Bass), John Hunter/Joby Baker (Drums), David Vest (Piano), and Darcy Phillips (B3 Organ). Background Vocalists included Bob Belknap and Lisa Mann.
"Still Blue" is an album that had no problem captivating me from the opening Guitar Riff of the first Track and once Bill Johnson's singing kicked in, well to say the least, I was hooked and more then happy to be along for the ride. With hooks and harmonies so addictive. I was very happy this release wasn't on Vinyl, because for sure I would of been wearing out many a record needle the amount of times I would of been playing this one. For sure, Bill Johnson has his own unique style of Blues, which he has managed to blend perfectly from the masters he has learned so well from, by studying their music. This special style comes through loud and clear, be it his lyrics, his music, or his vocals. From the opening and fun to listen Track "Fishing with Your Boots", to the spellbinding "Half the Man" to the closing Track "Remote Control Man", a piano laden smoky bar room gem, Bill Johnson manages to take us on one hell of a great Bluesy Ride.
In the liner notes of "Still Blue" Bill Johnson states that "I am forty six years old, I believe all you need is love, and I'm still blue". Well Bill if that is what it takes for you to put out great albums, such as this one, then please do carry on.
I have no problem giving "Still Blue", my highest rating of 5*****. It is an Album that I not only thoroughly enjoyed, but one that I also highly recommend for any lover of really good blues.
Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
CD Review for Still Blue
Mr. Johnson jumped into view as a nominee for Guitarist of the Year in 2006. This Victoria-based bluesman jammed onstage after the Awards Show and left behind a couple of impressive CDs. This new one is even better. Johnson leads a unit that should be far better known. Rick Erickson is on bass & vocals, John Hunter on drums & vocals and Darcy Philips is on keyboards & vocals. They perform working class blues at its best, starting with some advice set to a most infectious groove, “Don’t Go Fishing With Your Boots On”. “Habitual Survivor” is a fine soul blues chronicling the life of a woman on the streets, sung with much more sympathy than one hears elsewhere. “Worked To Death” takes the perspective of someone who cannot afford to rest. This one’s straight ahead Chicago blues. “Experience” is about life experience, from someone who’s seen his share, with a storming slide guitar. “Another One” sees him at a bar in Mexico, saying ‘Charlie, here’s my keys, hand me that glass’, over a T-Birds rhythm. He can do a slow blues too: ‘If what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, why am I “Half The Man” I used to be’. Powerful stuff. “Old Les Paul Guitar” may be closer to home than the others, it being about a struggling musician. He takes on some standards to conclude the program and does them up very well. He has song samples at www.billjohnsonblues.com so you can check these songs out for yourself. The Victoria Blues Society is sending him to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge in February, maybe he can arrange a stopover so we can catch him live.
Two Blewzy Awards for 2010 ! "Best Album" "Best Song"
I'd like to congratulate Bill Johnson on his - the first ever - double win. When I first started working on this disc I literally listened to "Half The Man" so many times I couldn't even fathom a guess as to the number. The song is sung with so much feeling and emotion and the guitar playing is absolutely masterful. As for the disc itself - "Still Blue" - I'd put it up against any disc I've heard....ever. From start to finish, song after song, the vocals and musicianship are flawless and extraordinary.
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro, © December 2010
Bill Johnson
"Still Blue"
On his newest CD, Bill Johnson - on vocals and guitars - is joined by Rick Erickson on bass, John Hunter and Joby Baker on drums, David Vest on piano, Darcy Phillips on B3 organ, and Bob Belknap and Lisa Mann on background vocals. The disc, titled "Still Blue", contains twelve very blue tracks of which eight are originals. After several previous listens, I've come to the conclusion that I could easily say something good about them all.
On one of his original tracks, Bill describes an ailment that he, as well as most of us, is suffering from - and even his doctor doesn't have a remedy for it. He's being "Worked To Death". Welcome to the club Bill. Good guitar work and vocals backed up by a strong progressive rhythm.
"Half The Man" is an absolutely phenomenal track with sensational guitar work. I swear, when it was over, I felt like applauding. It opens with one hell of a guitar highlight followed by intense, soulful vocals. Then, halfway through this five minute song, Bill goes off on a two and a half minute, song ending solo, equal to the mastery that Ronnie Earl has over his guitar. What a great song, and an original at that.
It may be a song about a guitar, but all the instruments are smokin' on the jammin' "Old Les Paul Guitar". Yes, Bill is superb on guitar as well is David on piano.
The only way to describe this track is to say that everyone's totally "Red Hot". It's a smoker done in the wild style of the wild one himself - Jerry Lee Lewis. Of course that means lot's of hot piano leads, and damn hot they are. Rockin' good stuff right here.
As been the case with most of the tracks on the CD, this is "Another One" where the rhythm section's nailing it. This time it's John leading the way with his solid drum work. Vocally, with beautiful support from Lisa, this is one of the best.
Reminiscent of the late Barkin' Bill, the vocals on "T-Bone Blues" are spectacular. That, combined with the beautifully soft rhythms of Rick, John and David on the bass, drums and piano all make this smooth shuffle another of the disc's many good tunes.
"Remote Control Man" is a short, humorous track that may use different terminology but it boils right down to Bill's woman having him in the palm of her hands. David does some wonderfully light piano playing on this wonderfully lighthearted song.
Other tracks on "Still Blue" include: "Fishing With Your Boots On", "Habitual Survivor", "Experience", "Three Hundreds Pounds Of Heavenly Joy"(something I'm often described as), and "King Bee".
With the year coming to an end, it's closing in on that time where I will soon have to pick the winner of the 2010 Blewzzy Award and I may have just listened to it.
Visit Bill Johnson on the Web at www.billjohnsonblues.com. When you do, tell him that the Blewzzman says he one listener who's happy that Bill Johnson is still blue and I hope he stays blue.
Combining superb guitar work with strong vocals over a pleasing range of blues genres this is an extremely satisfying album that gets better with every listen. Johnson"s original songs are finely crafted. They subtly evoke themes from old favorites while remaining fresh and vibrant. Johnson also breathes new life into old standards and pays homage to some of his musical influences such as T-Bone Walker. But his powerful musical voice is always his own. The long fluid and highly lyrical guitar lines are especially effective. Each solos tells its own story and complements the lyrical mood perfectly. His guitar weeps, laughs, jokes, flirts, and buys you a drink. It takes experience to play like that!
I think this album is really fantastic!
As you well know I've designed and listened to A LOT of blues over the last 20 years (though i am a newbie compared to you well-grizzled blues vets) and this is the kind of blues I love
Think of seventies radio friendly hits with memorable melodies, big juicy licks, and monster hooks, both instrumentally as well as lyrically.
Songs that actually stick in your head to become favourite classics down the road that you actually want to sing.
Michael Wrycraft is a Juno award winning album art designer in the top of his field.
"To my ears, he's the very best electric blues guitarist in the country"
"This Man is a Canadian Treasure"
My first review was very positve, but this short description has stuck with me. BJ
"Less is more elegance from Victoria's Blues Guitar Flamethrower"