Dennis Johnson - Revelation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Revelation, by Dennis Johnson and it's a solid blues rocker. Opening with Don Nix's Going Down, Johnson on slide and vocal, adds a little bounce to the track for a straight up rocker. With Anton Fig on drums, Jonathan Stoyanoff on bass, Bob Fridzema on piano, this is a cool opener. On title track, Revelation, Johnson plays a fluid soulful melody on slide, backed by Stoyanoff and Fig with the warm B3 work by Fridzema as a solid cushion. Very nice. On Robert Johnson's 32-20 Blues, Dennis Johnson gets a bit of rockabilly beat on rhythm, tightened up by Fig and with a combination of his vocal and slide emphasis, this track is a driving rocker. Big Joe Williams' Baby, Please Don't Go is up next with just a bit of backbeat allowing Johnson to really work the track over with his slide. This is definitely one of my favorite covers of this track in recent years. On another Robert Johnson track, Ramblin' on My Mind, Dennis brings the tempo up to a steady rocker but maintains it's primitive nature with tight backing by Fig and Stoyanoff and adds some incredibly clear slide work really making it stand out nicely. Wrapping the release is Gary Clark Jr.'s Don't Owe You A Thing with a Hill Country flavor, driven by the snare work of Fig giving Johnson plenty of head space to sing with just a little echo and plenty of drive on the slide. This is my favorite track on the release and an excellent closer. 

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Dennis Johnson - Revelation - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Revelation, from Dennis Johnson and it's a cool blues rocker. Opening with Don Nix's Going Down, Dennis Johnson on lead vocal and guitar digs on on a traditional arrangement backed by Anton Fig on drums and with a steady bass line by Jonathan Stoyanoff and cool piano soloing by Bob Fridzema gets the party going. Talk To You is a great, driving rocker with a straight drum and bass line, super slide work by Johnson and aggressive keys. Robert Johnson's 32-20 Blues is up next and with a great rhythm really gets rockin. Dennis' adds super slide riffs to this already updated track for a totally contemporary feel. Very cool. Ramblin is a cool boogie with a power bass line and call and response between Johnson on vocal and slide. With Elmore James based riffs, this track hits a real nice groove. Wrapping the release is Don't Owe You A Thing with a terrific driving drum line. Johnson on vocal and slide guitar really gets a Hill Country feel and over a pounding bass line by Stoyanoff, Fig's drum swats add a really cool accent. This is a great closer for a solid release. 

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Root Tone Records artist: Dennis Johnson - Rhythmland - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Rhythmland, from Dennis Johnson and it is a slide player's dream. Opening with Walkin Blues, Johnson shows that super smooth sliding technique that he's know for on this updated and fast tempo'd remake. Featuring Tim Metz on drums, Jonathan Stoyanoff on bass and Craig Long on keys, this is a smooth opener. Timbale has a cool, Latin beat and a nice pop melody. Fillmore Street is a clever blues rocker with a snappy shuffle beat. Johnson's vocals and super slide work, coupled with Long's piano work makes for a really cool track. My favorite track on the release is High Heel Shoes with it's driving beat and smoking slide work. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Revolution, a stripped down rocker with some of my favorite vocals and basic rock rhythms. A super closer for a solid release. 

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Slide Guitar Master Dennis Johnson Set to Release New "Rhythmland" CD September 15 on Root Tone Records

Slide Guitar Master Dennis Johnson Set to Release New Rhythmland CD September 15 on Root Tone Records

SACRAMENTO, CA – San Francisco Bay Area-based slide guitar master Dennis Johnson announces a September 15 release date for Rhythmland, his latest CD on the Root Tone Records label. Johnson plans to release his first single off the new disc, “Timbale” to iTunes on August 1, and will celebrate the new album with a special CD release party show on September 15 at the Guild Theater in Sacramento. Listen to “Timbale”  :Here 

Rhythmland was produced by Dennis Johnson and Craig Long and recorded at Paradise Studios in Sacramento. On the CD, Dennis Johnson (guitar, vocals) is backed by his band, dubbed The Mississippi Ramblers: Tim Metz – drums; Jonathan Stoyanoff – bass; and Craig Long - keyboards, background vocals. Johnson also wrote nine of the album’s ten songs and spins a unique take on the classic, “Walkin’ Blues.”

Rhythmland explores Americana, roots, blues, Latin, rock and folk rhythms with standout improvisational sections. “I wanted to make a diverse album with great rhythms, lyrics and improvisation,” says Dennis. “The rhythms on the record really pull the listener in. That’s one reason we called the record Rhythmland.” 

                                               

Inspiring lyrics and vocals are spotlighted on songs like “Faith” and “That Way No More.” Adds Dennis: “I am really happy with the lyrics on this record. The lyrics are based on life experiences and delve into important guiding principles to help you get through the ups and downs of life. These are lessons I have lived. The songs on the album tell some great stories.” 

Rhythmland also features several innovative slide guitar techniques. “I came up with techniques like halftime rhythmic slides and artificial harmonic slides that you hear on the Latin cascara song, ‘Timbale,’” he explains. “I have learned to think rhythm first, and it takes slide guitar to a whole new level. It’s not about how many notes you play, but what you do with the notes you choose. I want to support the rhythms of the song.” 

In the studio, Johnson worked with co-producer Craig Long to find unique guitar tones that fit with the songs and other instruments. “There are some great guitar tones on the record,” he proclaims. The 12-string dobro just sings on the band's version of “Walkin’ Blues;” Dennis' 1961 Martin New Yorker demonstrates a beautiful acoustic resonance on the jazz-flavored “My Love Is Here for You” and just rips on the barrelhouse “High Heel Shoes.” 

“He well deserves the name of master slide guitarist.” – RootsTime Magazine

              
San Francisco native Dennis Johnson is one of the hardest working musicians with a deep passion for preserving and innovating roots music. He is one of roots music's best kept secrets.

Johnson realized at a young age that music was his calling. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, he heard the music of Chuck Berry and it struck a chord with him. As a teenager, he taught himself the guitar and discovered his passion for slide guitar. He discovered the music of Robert Johnson, (Bay Area favorites) Roy Rogers and Norton Buffalo and was hooked. Dennis recalled “seeing Roy play the first time really blew me away; he’s a huge influence on my music.”

The iconic Robert Johnson's approach to guitar was the blueprint for Dennis’ evolution as a guitarist. “Robert‘s guitar playing sounded like two guitars,” Dennis explains. “It’s a blend of rhythm and slide phrases that sound like two guitarists are playing when it’s really one. I approach guitar in much the same way.”

The road to becoming a professional musician was paved when Dennis met Delta blues legend David “Honeyboy” Edwards. “I was at a personal crossroads in deciding whether to be a musician. Honeyboy told me, ‘If you like to play the blues, play the blues!’ The eloquence of that statement was in its simplicity. When I shook Honeyboy's hand I felt an energy there. This was a profound moment in my life. It was fate.”

Honeyboy's advice turned out to be a risk that paid off. In 2010, Dennis Johnson released his first album, Slide Show, to critical acclaim. Slide Show rose to the Top 50 blues CDs worldwide and No. 21 on the California Roots Radio Charts.

In Slide Avenue, Johnson pushed the boundaries of slide guitar with amazing instrumental conversations between slide guitar and saxophone, fiddle, piano, B3 organ, Wurlitzer and more. The album seamlessly blended swing, blues, New Orleans, rock, roots and folk music. The radio charts, reviews and audience response proved the results were stellar. Slide Avenue rose to the top of the Roots Music Report radio charts.

“Rhythmland happened because I spent a lot of time exploring rhythms. Once the grooves were found, the lyrics came easily. I was fortunate to collaborate with two accomplished musicians, drummer Tim Metz and bassist Jonathan Stoyanoff, on arranging some of the tunes.  The result is an album I feel is our best material to date.”

Dennis Johnson - Slide Avenue - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Slide Avenue, from Dennis Johnson and it's a blend of a numerous blues styles with a common hub of cool guitar work. Opening with Swingin At the Savoy, guitarist/vocalist Johnson blends a cool swing track featuring Sam Levine on sax, Tim Metz on drums and David O'Keefe on bass with his slick slide work. Robert Johnson's Terraplane Blues has a much quicker paced cover with a root in blues but an almost country approach with quick picking and flair (Think early Bella Fleck). Another Robert Johnson track, Phonograph Blues is a real nice straight up acoustic delta style blues track played on 12 string dobro. Nice! Rollin On The River has a rudimentary New Orleans feel with snappy snare work from Metz and the addition of Joe Craven on violin. Back On My Feet is a cool shuffle track and see's the addition of Kirt Shearer on piano. Johnson busts out some Elmore James like slide riffs on this track but keeps it light and easy. On Ain't Nobody's Fool, a quiet ballad, Johnson is joined by Caitlin O'Leary for a vocal duet over his acoustic guitar work and Shearer on organ. Very nice memorable melody. The Wind Is Howlin' based loosely on an old Elmore James track is my favorite overall track on the release with it's easy flowing pace and solid slide work. Turn Your Lamp Down Low is a jump rag along the lines of Red Hot. Shearer adds a different dimension with B3 on this track as well. This track is certain to be a crowd favorite with it's crisp pace, snappy lyrics and of course slick slide riffs. Johnson, covering another Robert Johnson track, Hellhound On My Trail, again keeps it on the basic level with only vocal and 12 string dobro. Johnson does a really nice job on this track adding his own flair to this classic track. Wrapping the release is acoustic bluegrass like, She Looks Good, a simple blues track featuring Johnson on acoustic guitar and vocal with Joe Craven on violin. Craven and Johnson exchange some hot riffs on this tracks making it a super ending to an interesting mostly acoustic release.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”