Search - Lonnie Johnson, Elmer Snowden :: Blues & Ballads

One of my all-time favorite blues albums

T. Schramm | Centralia, MO | 04/29/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would be hard-pressed to pick one or two albums as my absolute favorite blues recordings, but these two Johnson/Snowden releases are right up there. I happened to learn about Lonnie Johnson after viewing a video he made in the 60's. Once I read a bit of his history, I learned that he was one of the true greats: creating wonderful guitar recordings back in the 20's, than later playing with Duke Ellington. Forced to give up his music for years, I believe he re-discovered while working as a janitor in a hotel.





I have seen many lists of great guitarists, but few of them include Lonnie Johnson. Like many of the old greats, he never received his well-deserved rewards during his lifetime. Thankfully, many of his recordings have survived for our enjoyment!"

BOTH VOLUMES ARE WORTHWHILE LAID BACK BLUES/SWING

Stuart Jefferson | San Diego,Ca | 02/23/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first disc in this separate two disc set is 44 minutes in length. The second disc is 43 minutes in length,each approximately.The sound on both discs is very good-each instrument is clean and crisp (thanks to Rudy Van Gelder who recorded these tracks),and the vocals have a real presence. The booklets for each disc give a short overview of both Johnson and Snowden,even thought Johnson's birth date is different in each set of notes. This review is actually for both releases,since they were recorded at the same session,and gives a better picture of these two musicians during this recording session.



This music is some of the most "human" music I've heard in a long time. Human in that's it's honest and straight forward,with little in the way of pretentiousness. It's laid-back,soft and gentle music,but infused with both feeling and swing. Listening to these tracks connects the listener with the musicians on a somewhat mysterious level-the atmosphere just draws you in. Once in a while the comments between Snowden and Johnson sound a bit self-aware,but that's okay because the music is so captivating. This is music that has to be listened to-not just heard. Put these discs on at the end of a long hard day,or late at night,and see what happens.



Lonnie Johnson is well known in jazz and blues circles as a guitarist of uncommon skill. His vocals are smooth and warm,yet knowing. He has played solo and with many jazz and blues greats throughout his career. Many listeners will know him through his duets with Eddie Lang. Elmer Snowden,and old friend,has played and lead a number of bands through his early years,the most famous was probably THE WASHINGTONIANS,which became the Duke Ellington Band.



Together,Johnson on gently swinging electric guitar,and Snowden on acoustic guitar usually in a supportive roll (except on disc 2),give a good foundation for Johnson's gentle vocals. With Wendell Marshall on bass (on both volumes),which grounds these tracks,and gives needed depth for both musicians,the sound feels complete.



The first album ("blues and ballads"),which was released in 1960,is the more laid back of the two volumes. From the first track ("Haunted House") through "Memories of You",to "I'll Get Along Somehow",the blues are never far away. The slower tracks on this set have a wistful sadness about them-which is why they sound so "human". Even the instrumentals ("Savoy Blues' for example) have a certain weighty sadness to them. The exception is "Elmer's Blues",a swinging instrumental which still manages to sound laid back.



The second volume ("blues,ballads,and jumpin' jazz"),released many years later,has a more upbeat feel to it,yet still retains the appeal of the first release. This volume consists of unreleased sides recorded at the same session as the original release,with six of the ten tracks instrumentals. The other four feature Johnson's vocals much like the first album.



From the first track ("Lester Leaps In"),the energy level,the swing is intensified. Snowden's acoustic guitar is out front as a lead instrument,with Johnson's electric in a complimentary,supportive roll. The next track ("Blue and All Alone"),harks back to the sound and atmosphere of the first album,with Johnson's plaintive voice out in front of his blues guitar,with Snowden gently playing in the background. The third track ("On The Sunny Side Of The Street"),is another swinging instrumental,with Snowden out front again.



And so it goes-the four vocal tracks are blues-based,while the instrumentals contain that characteristic old-time swing. Why these tracks were held back is anyone's guess. Together they give an even better picture of two old friends coming together to play some old favorites. Taken together,these two volumes complement one another,and give added depth to both musicians. This is music that is seldom heard today-maybe it's "old-fashioned". Maybe it's because there aren't any players like Lonnie Johnson and Elmer Snowden around anymore. We should be grateful that these two fine musicians were given the chance to record some old favorites-songs that meant something (listen to "Stormy Weather" take 2 on volume 2) to them personally. Both volumes are unassuming classics in their own right. Strangely moving. Strangely captivating. Listen.relax,and hear for yourself."