JOHNNY ‘GUITAR’ WATSON - ROCKS

johnaalex

4 days ago4 min read

JOHNNY ‘GUITAR’ WATSON - ROCKS

Date of release : November 2024

Record Label : Bear Family

Reviewed date : December 2024

In my opinion, Johnny is a largely underestimated guitarist in the world of rock’n’roll and rhythm and blues and it’s great that Bear Family decided to add him to its ‘Rocks’ collection.

This CD is a very complete compilation of his 50s and early 60s recordings. Most tracks were recorded in Los Angeles for the Federal and King records label under the guidance of Johnny Otis.

Many titles are already available on multiple compilations, but, as usual with Bear Family, you are here treated with a great quality package that comes with top quality sound and a detailed 36-pages booklet.

Born on February 1935 in Houston, Texas, Johnny was not only a top-notch guitar slinger, but also a great pianist and sax player, a good singer, and an innovator always in search of new sounds. Johnny's music creates a bridge between the blues and R'n'B of guitar players such as T. Bone Walker and Clarence Gatemouth Brown, the R'n'R of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley and heralds the newer blues guitar sound of guys like Jimi Hendrix.

Hot Little Mama : an excellent dance track recorded in 1955 on the RPM label. The guitar is prominent and well supported by the horns.

Motor Head Baby : recorded in 52 or 53 on Federal with Chuck Higgins on sax. Superb piano intro, with a swinging rhythm and sharp lyrics. Killer!

Looking Back : 1955 rock’n’roll track, groovy right from the introduction. Superb rhythm, well supported by the piano, a nugget!

She Moves Me : recorded in 1956 and released on the RPM label in a pure R’n’B vein. The horns are more prominent than the guitar on this one.

Too tired : starts with a blistering guitar intro. Johnny says he's too tired for anything, but he still has the strength to deliver cutting edge guitar solos.

Gettin’ Drunk : A superb track recorded in ‘54 for the Federal label under the name Young John Watson. Groovy as can be!

You Better love me : this 1963 track recorded for King Record has a more New Orleans’ flavour with female backing vocals.

Gangster of Love : one of Johnny's best-known songs, recorded for King in 1963. Excellent lyrics, lively rhythm and superb piano solo.

Sweet lovin’ mama : cool, swingin’ and funky all at the same time, with great guitar licks and nice horns back-up. Recorded in 62 for King.

I say, I love you : recorded in 64 for King. Pure 60’s sound, with girls back-up vocals that sound just like the Raelettes.

Deana baby : recorded in 58 for Keen. This one is pure 50’s rock’n’roll. Perfect for dancing.

Highway 60 : great R’n’B recorded in 53 for Federal. One of his earliest recorded under the name Young John Watson.

Oh Baby : recorded in 56 with nice strollin’ rhythm and sharp guitar licks.

Posin’ : recorded in 61 for King. Typical early 60’s dancing tune with a New Orleans R’n’B feel to it.

Love Me Baby : recorded in 56. If you've never heard what a kiss and a squeeze sound like on guitar, listen to this track.

Broke and Lonely : recorded in 61 for King. Great tune about being busted and lonesome, yes it is!

Ruben : nice bopper recorded in 56 for RPM

Johnny Guitar : Johnny’s signature song recorded in 1960 for the Arvee label with nice doo-woop backing vocals.

Space Guitar : recorded in 54 for Federal. Fantastic and futuristic instrumental that sounds like a jam session between Bo Diddley and T. Bone Walker!

The Bear (Aka Preacher and the Bear) : novelty track recorded in 59 for Class. Not his greatest, but still boppin’.

One Room country Shack : blues number that’s the B-side of ‘Gangster of Love’. Superb guitar sound.

I Got eyes : one of my favourite. Recorded in 53 for Federal with blistering rock’n’roll piano from Johnny.

Half Pint Of Whisky : Great R’n’B from the pen of Rudy Toombs who specialized in the alcoholic songs (‘One Mint Julep’, ‘One Scotch, One Bourbon One Beer’ to name a few). This one could have been well fitted for Amos Milburn as well, although Amos would certainly prefer a full pint…

One More Kiss : Groovy bluesy number, recorded in 59 for the Class label.

Untouchable : good track inspired by the TV series of the same name. The guitar solos are replaced here by bursts of Thompson gun fire!

Rat Now : edited in 1960 on the Goth label. Another nice number with doo-woop backing vocals and a little bit of Bo Diddley feel as well.

Those Lonely nights : while recorded in L.A. in 1955, this rendition of the Earl King’s hit is pure New Orleans R’n’B

What’s Going on : good rock’n’roll track recorded in 53 with swinging sax from the great Maxwell Davis.

Wait a minute Baby : slow and torrid blues track from 1964

Cuttin’ in : well-known song recorded in 1961 for King, and the only R&B hit for Johnny. Slow and soulful track with violins in the Sam Cooke vein. A masterpiece in the category and a very good ending for this CD. Makes you feel like pressing the play button once more.

If you like your rock'n'roll with a good dose of R'n'B and you don't have these tracks yet, here's the perfect compilation to discover or rediscover this guitar genius.

Track list :

Hot Little Mama

Motor Head Baby

Looking Back

She Moves Me

Too tired

Getting’ Drunk

You Better love me

Gangster of Love

Sweet lovin’ mama

I say, I love you

Deana baby