Country Sugar Papa
| Country Sugar Papa | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 29, 1994 | |||
| Genre | Blues | |||
| Label | Bullseye Blues | |||
| Producer | Ron Levy | |||
| Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson chronology | ||||
| ||||
Country Sugar Papa is an album by the American musician Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, released on March 29, 1994.[1][2] It was his third album for Bullseye Blues Records.[3] He supported it with a North American tour.[4]
Production
The album was produced by Ron Levy, who also played organ.[5] Johnson was backed by his band, the Magic Rockers.[6] He played a Gibson hollow body or a Fender Stratocaster on the tracks.[7] Johnson often decided which songs to record based on the reactions of his concert audiences.[8] "I'm a King Bee" is a cover of the Slim Harpo song.[9] "Whiskey Drinkin' Woman" was written by Johnny Otis.[10] "You Belong to Me" is a version of the Magic Sam song.[11]
Critical reception
The Chicago Tribune said that "Johnson insists on cooking up the real deal, his slashing, West Side-influenced guitar and rough-hewn vocals ably backed by his tough band".[5] The Edmonton Journal noted that Johnson's "guitar sound ... cuts through an arrangement with the technique of a skilled surgeon and his forceful vocal reflects an experience that started as a youngster in the church."[7] The Philadelphia Inquirer praised the "blistering vocals, wicked guitar leads and ... smoking rhythm section."[17] The Lake Geneva Regional noted the "classic ... raw and wicked" sound.[18]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Walkin' with You Baby" | |
| 2. | "If the Blues Was Whiskey" | |
| 3. | "Big Leg Woman" | |
| 4. | "Called Me on the Phone Last Night" | |
| 5. | "You Told Me Baby" | |
| 6. | "Southern Country Boy" | |
| 7. | "I'm a King Bee" | |
| 8. | "Can't Come Home" | |
| 9. | "I'm Going Back, Back, Back" | |
| 10. | "I Love You" | |
| 11. | "Whiskey Drinkin' Woman" | |
| 12. | "Ain't Treating Me Right" | |
| 13. | "You Belong to Me" |
References
- ^ Bahr, Bob (March 26, 1994). "Out this week". Scene. Courier Journal. p. 9.
- ^ Marcel, Joyce (October 13, 1994). "Rx: A dose of music". Brattleboro Reformer. p. 7.
- ^ Curtin, Mike (November 10, 1994). "Guitarist to play the blues". The Post-Star. Glens Falls. p. D5.
- ^ Muretich, James (February 23, 1995). "Luther is mum – but oh, how his guitar talks". Calgary Herald. p. B9.
- ^ a b c Dahl, Bill (July 21, 1994). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
- ^ Catalano, Jim (March 24, 1994). "Bluesman 'Guitar Junior' comes back to town". Arts & Leisure. The Ithaca Journal. p. 4.
- ^ a b Levesque, Roger (February 17, 1995). "Guitar masters drop in; Ellis loves to swing; Johnson likes a little funk". Edmonton Journal. p. C4.
- ^ Skelly, Richard (July 7, 1995). "The divine Mr. J.". On the Go. The Home News. p. 5.
- ^ Tunis, Walter (June 17, 1994). "Live Music". Weekender. Lexington Herald-Leader. p. 4.
- ^ Marcel, Joyce (October 17, 1994). "'Guitar Johnson earns his name". Springfield Union-News. p. 24.
- ^ Robicheau, Paul (December 9, 1994). "Newly released from local blues". The Boston Globe. p. 64.
- ^ All Music Guide to the Blues (3rd ed.). Backbeat Books. 2003. p. 289.
- ^ Larkin (1998). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. IV. MUZE. p. 2851.
- ^ MusicHound Blues: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 197.
- ^ The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 324.
- ^ The Rolling Stone Jazz and Blues Album Guide. Random House. 1999. p. 374.
- ^ Warren, Bruce (August 11, 1995). "'Guitar Junior' Johnson". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 15.
- ^ Burke, Jack (April 27, 1995). "The Wax Works". Lake Geneva Regional. p. 83.