Jimmy Johnson Every Day Of Your Life

Jimmy Johnson
Every Day Of Your Life
Delmark Records

Going to the 2019 Chicago Blues Festival, one of the acts I was most anxious to see was Jimmy Johnson, who was celebrating his 90th birthday. I had not seen him since he played the Pocono Blues Festival in 2007, and his performance that night did not disappoint. Johnson's new CD does not disappoint, and it is striking how strong his vocals are as well as his guitar playing.

On this recording of five originals and four interpretations, Johnson is supported by two different groups. Those playing behind him include guitarist Rico McFarland on guitar, Roosevelt Purify or Brother John Kattke on keyboards, J.R. Fuller or Curt Bley on bass, and Pooky Styx or Ernie Adams on drums. On one selection, Johnson accompanies himself on piano.

There is an appealing mix of material opening with the title song that Johnson wrote about living one's life as if it is one's last. A marvelously paced performance, his soulful tenor is complemented by a thoughtful, well-constructed guitar solo demonstrating his lean tone and twisting rapier-like playing. Purifoy also songs strongly here.  A  relaxed, first-rate cover of "I Need Your Love So Bad," is followed by "My Ring." Set against a reggae groove, it has poignant lyrics as he remembers getting married, and that was the last time he saw his woman smiled. Among the other auditory delights here is a marvelous rendition of Fenton Robinson's "Somebody Loan Me a Dime," and Percy Mayfield's "Strange Things Happening." Then there are fascinating, well-crafted originals like "Rattlesnake" and "Down in the Valley."

Accompanied solely by his piano, Johnson caps off this recording with a moving, thoughtful rendition of a Bobby Bland classic "Lead Me On." Johnson still performs at a high level and is provided with excellent support here. Add in the terrific originals and covers, and the result is one of the best new blues albums of 2019.

I received my review copy from Delmark Records. Here he is seen performing a Curtis Mayfield number at the 2019 Chicago Blues Festival.