Search - Chris Thomas King :: Legend of Tommy Johnson Act 1

Evolution of the Blues in Miniature

Big Dave | Boise, Idaho | 11/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an ambitious album, and a very successful one.The tracks, in order, summarize the 20th century evolution of the blues. The first songs on the album, both King's originals and the covers, are very much in the style of early blues recordings: one voice, one guitar...even the scratchy static of the old 78s is duplicated.I confess my partiality to early delta guitarslingers, and I really like King's take, from his straight up cover of Willie Johnson's "Trouble Will Soon Be Over" to the archetypally bluesy original "Flooded in the Delta". This is great stuff, and the hilariously deadpan liner notes (spoofing every "how I discovered the blues" story you ever read) are a perfect complement -- I admit, they had me going for a minute.The tracks then evolve through the rollicking piano blues of "John Law Burned Down the Liquor Sto'" to electric guitar to rhythm 'n' blues, including a purported cover by the Voodoo Dolls (King) of a song by the legendary Tommy Johnson (also King). This is good stuff, too, though less my cup of tea.This is the only CD of King's I've listened to -- yes, I was drawn to this through O Brother, Where Art Thou? -- but I certainly want to hear more."

Twentieth Century Blues

booknblueslady | Woodland, CA United States | 04/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When organic American music was given a shot in the arm by the Coen Brother's movie O Brother, Where Art Thou, Chris Thomas King was among the artists who benefited with King's role as blues musician Tommy Johnson and his song O Brother Where Art Thou. King took full advantage of this opportunity and produced an ambitious concept album The Legend of Tommy Johnson. Imagine an obscure blues artist who sold is soul to the devil down on some Delta crossroads for the ability to play music. He wanders around the delta singing on the corners of "Magnolia and Main" as the cover says. Maybe he serves a stint in prison and becomes part of a chain gang and then upon release wanders to Chicago to try his hand with electric guitar. This is the story of a composite of blues artists throughout the twentieth century and Chris Thomas King has penned, sang, played and produced all the songs on this CD. It is a skillful and artistic cd which demonstrates King's love and appreciation for the music. Blues music has roots in a range of styles as Chris Thomas King aptly demonstrates. O Brother Where Art Thou and Trouble will Soon Be Over borrow from gospel/spiritual styles. Canned Heat Blues, Flooded in the Delta and Watermelon Man are delta styled acoustic blues. Canned Heat Blues shows the strong relationship which exists between the blues and bootleg liquor. King tips his hat to Charlie Patton and other in singing about delta floods. He sings "People seeking higher ground, the sky is falling and the whole world is sinking down." Watermelon Man is a pleasant journey through the delta in the back of a pickup truck while eating "sweet and juicy" watermelon. You can almost feel the juice running down your chin. John Law Burned down the Liquor Store is blues with country edges with the promise of bootleg liquor after a day of hard and sweaty work. We move north to Chicago with Red Shoes and Bonnie and Clyde in D Minor. Red Shoes is a grind it out blues guaranteed to get the joint hopping on Saturday night in a mode reminiscent of Elmore James or Hound Dog Taylor. Bonnie and Clyde is a haunting "you done me wrong" blues. Do Fries Go with that Shakes explores the early era of rock and roll. Finishing out the cd is Spread the Glory a soulful tribute to Tommy Johnson.Chris Thomas King has clearly demonstrated his skill as singer, songwriter and musician in producing such a CD as this one. The Legend of Tommy Johnson displays the range and sincerity of Chris Thomas King's pleasant voice. I have hopes that we will continue to hear more from him."

Simply Fantastic!

deepbluereview | SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA | 10/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tommy Johnson is a fictional character portrayed by Chris Thomas King in the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?" This CD carries the fiction one step further by presenting "a collection of rare and unreleased recordings of the greatest innovator of all delta bluesmen, Tommy McDowell Johnson". Of course, all songs are actually penned by King. Not since King's "Red Mud" has King released an all, or mostly all, acoustic CD and while "Red Mud" is nothing to snivel at, "Legend" has it beat hands down. Not only has King breathed live into his character by introducing 11 original tunes but, he plays an overwhelming array of musical instruments in the process as well. On the CD, King plays all instruments including, the mandolin, drums, percussion, harmonica, upright bass, grand piano, electric guitars, acoustic guitars and bass guitar. With the exception of some background vocals performed on "O Brother", King is virtually a one-man band. All songs are uplifting and spiritual and recall the heyday of famous Mississippi Delta bluesmen such as Charlie Patton, Son House, John Hurt and Skip James, with a 21st century ambiance. This entire CD is nothing short of fantastic and one would be hard pressed to pick a favorite song from the lot. If there is a downside its that "Act 1" spans from 1900-1990's, and it is unlikely that we will ever see an act two. Hopefully, King will introduce another character in the near future or simply, let his alter ego free for an encore."