MEET ME IN BLUESLAND (Alligator
Records)
Records)
CD review by Preshias Harris for Country Music News International
This
is the album that almost got lost forever. But thanks to Alligator
Records we can finally hear this amazing project that puts one of
America’s most original and underrated bands together with the man
that Rolling Stone called “the greatest sideman in rock and roll
history.”
is the album that almost got lost forever. But thanks to Alligator
Records we can finally hear this amazing project that puts one of
America’s most original and underrated bands together with the man
that Rolling Stone called “the greatest sideman in rock and roll
history.”
Back
in January 2003, pianist Johnnie Johnson was booked to record a piano
track for a song to be included in “Soul,” an album being
recorded by the Headhunters, but he almost didn’t make it. The
previous evening, he’d been in Houston, joining the Rolling Stones
onstage to play ‘Honky Tonk Women’ and only just managed to catch
the plane to Kentucky.
in January 2003, pianist Johnnie Johnson was booked to record a piano
track for a song to be included in “Soul,” an album being
recorded by the Headhunters, but he almost didn’t make it. The
previous evening, he’d been in Houston, joining the Rolling Stones
onstage to play ‘Honky Tonk Women’ and only just managed to catch
the plane to Kentucky.
The
Headhunters had long admired Johnson whose piano playing can be heard
on virtually all of Chuck Berry’s hit records. They got to meet him
at a Grammy party in 1992 and formed an instant and lasting
friendship. They later recorded an album together, “That’ll
Work” (Nonesuch Records), and frequently appeared on stage
together.
Headhunters had long admired Johnson whose piano playing can be heard
on virtually all of Chuck Berry’s hit records. They got to meet him
at a Grammy party in 1992 and formed an instant and lasting
friendship. They later recorded an album together, “That’ll
Work” (Nonesuch Records), and frequently appeared on stage
together.
When
they reunited in the studio in 2003, something magical happened, and
they all found themselves jamming, improvising and creating music
that went far beyond the confines of the original intention for
“Soul.” They had created an amazing and completely original set
of songs, but the label had all they needed for “Soul” and the
eclectic Headhunter/Johnson tracks were put aside and all but
forgotten. Until now.
they reunited in the studio in 2003, something magical happened, and
they all found themselves jamming, improvising and creating music
that went far beyond the confines of the original intention for
“Soul.” They had created an amazing and completely original set
of songs, but the label had all they needed for “Soul” and the
eclectic Headhunter/Johnson tracks were put aside and all but
forgotten. Until now.
“Meet
Me in Bluesland” presents arguably some of the best work the
Headhunters have ever done. The band and Johnson create magic
together, as if the piano virtuoso had been their keyboard player
since the get-go.
Me in Bluesland” presents arguably some of the best work the
Headhunters have ever done. The band and Johnson create magic
together, as if the piano virtuoso had been their keyboard player
since the get-go.
Johnson
and the Headhunters collaboratively wrote all of the tracks together
with the exception of the Chuck Berry classic, “Little Queenie,”
in which Johnson can finally play it the way HE wanted to!
and the Headhunters collaboratively wrote all of the tracks together
with the exception of the Chuck Berry classic, “Little Queenie,”
in which Johnson can finally play it the way HE wanted to!
The
entire album has the feel of a non-stop jam session with everyone
having a great time, never wanting it to end. This was to be the last
time they recorded together as Johnson passed away in 2005. But we
have this superb set that serves as a fitting memorial to Johnson and
a showcase for the Headhunters, a driving mix of southern roots rock,
blues and R&B.
entire album has the feel of a non-stop jam session with everyone
having a great time, never wanting it to end. This was to be the last
time they recorded together as Johnson passed away in 2005. But we
have this superb set that serves as a fitting memorial to Johnson and
a showcase for the Headhunters, a driving mix of southern roots rock,
blues and R&B.
There’s
not a dud on the album, but standout tracks include “Stumblin’,”
“Party in Heaven,” the hard-driving instrumental “Fast Train,”
and the title track, “Meet Me in Bluesland.”
not a dud on the album, but standout tracks include “Stumblin’,”
“Party in Heaven,” the hard-driving instrumental “Fast Train,”
and the title track, “Meet Me in Bluesland.”
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