Bill Johnson
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada | SELF | AFM
Music
Press
“Unknown to me until his name appeared on the ballot for guitar player of the year, Johnson came to the show and although he lost out to Sue Foley, he did impress during his guest appearance in the winners jam after the awards. He hails from Victoria, BC and he bought this CD with him, recorded live at the Central Bar & Grille there a couple of years ago. As with many live recordings, some of the songs are warhorses and are perhaps longer than they need to be for listening outside the context of the night. That being said, he's an exciting player, from the T-Bone Walker/B.B. King school. The slow blues "Hurtin' Man" is a fine Johnson original and Preston contributes the excellent "I Feel Like Loving". Billy Branch's "How Can I Stand It?" is certainly not over-recorded nor is Duke Robillard's "Too Hot to Handle". The climax though is a treat: Papa Lightfoot's "Come On Baby", one of the most raucous Delta blues recordings you will ever hear, with its heavily distorted harp and vocals sung through the same mike. The band roars through this one, Preston is hot and Johnson tops it with his slide solo. The crowd loved it, you will too. The CD shows quite clearly why he was nominated.” - Maple Blues Magizine
Discography
2006 Bill Johnson Work Songs
1. Work Song
2. Crawlin
3. Poor Boy
4. Crossroad Blues
5. Vigilante Man
6. Home Loan Blues
7. Going out to the Country
8. Blues for JT
9. San Francisco Bay Blues
10. Preacher Blues
11. Undecided Blues
12. Pallet On the Floor
13. Let’s get Drunk Again
14. Polk Salad Annie
15. While you were Sleeping
2003 Bill Johnson Blues Band Live
1. Every Day I have the Blues
2. Rock Me Baby
3. Hurting Man
4. Too Hot to Handle
5. How Can You Stand It
6. I Feel Like Loving
7. C’mon Baby
Photos
Bio
If you’re talking West Coast Blues, you’re talking Bill Johnson, one of the best guitar players anywhere. As soon as the rest of Canada hears of him, we won’t be just talking west coast. This man is a Canadian treasure. Do yourself a favor and catch these guys. Definitely one of the best blues bands anywhere!
”Mr. Happy” is a classy singer and a smokin’ guitarist! His style is strongly influenced by the blues of the forties and fifties, but with his own fresh take on that “jumped up” sound. The listener is reminded of T-Bone Walker with his jazzy phrasing, mingled with B.B King's sweet gospel soul squeezing the last juice out of a fresh picked chord.
Like many fine musicians, Bill started playing as a child. Encouraged by an artistic family, (mother is Dorothy Oxborough), he began to play the music he heard at home. "I listened to Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and my brother's blues albums", says Bill. He also began performing young. By seventeen he was a regularly working guitar player. Everybody noticed the hot young guitarist. When he began to sing and front his own band he began to get real recognition for his craft. Some of his first shows were opening for the likes of Otis Rush and Delbert McClinton. Once noticed it wasn't long before Bill Johnson was working for veteran bluesmen like Dutch Mason, Son Seals, Donald Ray Johnson, and Cash McCall.
A true “Monster” guitar player is how Bill is often described. Electric or Acoustic, it usually takes about nine seconds to figure that out for your self. Bill’s enthusiasm is always inspirational.
Links
