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.”
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. 
