Pappy Johns Band

The Pappy Johns Band with Murray Porter "Full Circle" Indie
- John Valenteyn

Some of this material was part of their fabulous set at the last Soul `n' Blues Festival. They had just returned from playing the Chicago Blues Festival, including a TV appearance there and were obviously raring to play. It was evident at that show that these players are at the top of their game and all that remained was to channel their talents into a worthwhile CD. This is it. Porter's boogie piano intro to his "Make Your Mind Up", with its alternating vocals, to the Faron Johns rocker, "Playing Me" begin a bluesy journey through bar life in Southern Ontario. The soulful "My Baby's Crazy", from Porter's pen, leads to Johns' excellent "Trouble in the Wigwam". "Third Degree" has a fine solo from guitarist Joe Mahfoud. This song, and "Meat on the Bone", use more traditional blues structures and themes but are none the worse for that. "Let's Just Do" is another fine original, by Porter this time. Oren Doxtator on drums and Don Powless on bass round out this powerful unit and shine throughout. Maybe a live album in a `home' club would be a wonderful next project - this band cooks!



- Toronto Blues Society

By Eddy B (Brake) Blueheart Archive

For years Murray Porter has been one of my favouite artists anywhere. He can play the keyboards; sing and most of all, can write lyrics with the best of them. Then a few years ago I got to hear the Pappy Johns band for the first time, featuring Faron Johns on lead vocals, and I was knocked out once again. Even though the Pappy Johns band have been on the scene for twenty-five years, the formers members have reunited to create a Full Circle with this CD release. Faron and Murray and the musicians in their band hale from the Six Nations. Either Murray or Pappy wrote all the songs on the album. The band is a killer too, with Joe Mahfoud on vocals and guitar, Don Powless on bass and Oren Doxtator drums and percussion.

To hear these amazing vocalists on one recording is truly a Blues treat, so lets break into the tracks. The first song penned by Murray, Make Your Mind Up, has Faron, Joe and Murray all takin‚ turns on the verses. Faron sings his own composition around the topic, Playing Me. Murray’s slow song has him singin’ about My Baby’s Crazy and it’s all meant for him. He takes over lead vocal once again on his song Trouble in the Wigwam with a nice guitar solo from Joe. The lyrics of Murray’s tune Time Will Come, sung by Faron, really hit me. The tempo really rocks with Faron singing his song Third Degree and Joe takin’ another great solo on guitar. The pace drops down once again with Murray carryin‚ the lead vocal on another song he wrote, Little White Lies with Murray, Faron and Joe doin‚ the chorus background. The groove picks up again with some Blues from Murray on Meat on the Bone. Joe plays the slide guitar with Faron’s vocal on his number Time to Believe. A soulful and funky feel is givin‚ to Murray’s Let’s Do. Ending the CD is Faron singing a haunting tune he wrote, Through the Door.

Incredible singing, lyrics and playing make this record a have to have.

On the back of the CD case it states, “Finest in First Nations Blues”, and I can’t argue with that description. I hope to see the Pappy Johns Band with Murray Porter live again soon. Plus other great First Nation Blues bands at one of Elaine Bomberry’s regular Rez Bluez presentations in the near future. Things do come Full Circle.

Sail on...
Eddy B
- www.ejazznews.com

- Rich Schneider, Editor

Best Song: Native American Murray Porter `1492, Who Found Who?’
`Hats off to Barry Dolins for: …bringing in relatively unknown but worthy talents in the Pappy Johns Band, whom he heard in Toronto”

- Blues Beat Magazine

- Tim Holek

“The evening’s surprise smash at the showcases was The Pappy Johns Band. This award-winning First Peoples blues act delivered awesome soul & R&B. Lead vocalist, Faron Johns, resembles John Candy but has more roadhouse in him than Delbert McClinton. Songwriter/keyboard player Murray Porter impressed with his chops too. Their original tunes spoke of the red man singing the black man’s blues, living in a white man’s world…” - Blues On Stage

- Jenny Gabruch

The Pappy Johns Band ripped through some straight-ahead, rockin’ electric blues, tossing in a joke or two for good measure. Lead Singer Faron Johns `big, smooth voice mixed nicely with the band’s two other vocalists, who also took their turns in the spotlight. It was a satisfying blend of covers and originals that included tunes from their upcoming CD, Full Circle’. - The Star Phoenix, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

In 1993 the Toronto Blues Society fulfilled a desire to connect with the Aboriginal community in the area by staging an event in conjunction with long time member, Elaine Bomberry, called "Real Rez Blues". The event was a massive success and the venue overflowed with enthusiastic fans of a wide range of artists. The TBS encouraged Elaine to carry on the concept and artists have continued to use the "Rez Blues" model to showcase, introduce themselves to blues and urban audiences, and increasingly raise profile. The relationship of key figures in the native blues scene like Murray Porter, Jani Lauzon, Ronnie Douglas, Derek Miller, Faron Johns, Pappy Johns Band and many others have begun to reflect the strong interest from Aboriginal artists, with the blues. With the release of "Skin Tight Blues" and the exposure in Native and mainstream media, Native identity will continue to grow and earn respect with blues fans around the world in the months and years to come. - Derek Andrews

Rez Bluez began as a Toronto Blues Society event a dozen or so years ago. The plan was to showcase a few Aboriginal blues artists that were beginning to get some notice on the Canadian Blues Scene. I don’t think anyone new then how large and supportive the audience was, and how many great blues artists were ready to break out of that community. With the guidance and direction of Elaine Bomberry and Rez Bluez Productions artists like The Pappy Johns Band, Murray Porter, Ronnie Douglas and The Soul Kings have proven they deserve world class attention. - Gary Kendal

- John Valentyne, February 2002

Faron Johns is one of the best blues singers working and he gets to shine on the opening `Wishing Princess’ and the blues ballad `Blame It On Monday’.

- Toronto Blues Society

Liz Sykes, President, Ottawa Blues Society “Faron Johns and Murray Porter are two of the best voices on the Canadian blues scene”

Eric Paul-Hus, Montreal Blues Society “My discovery of the Blues Summit showcases is The Pappy Johns Band, along with astonishing vocals from band member, Murray Porter, he blew me away”.

Brent Staeben, Artistic Director, Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, March/03“I saw the show in T.O. and was very impressed…congrats on the Chicago gig”. - Liz Sykes; Eric Paul-Hus; Brent Staeben

The Pappy Johns Band took home four awards for the album Blame It On Monday. The Pappy Johns Band, which formed as a group in Fort Erie and was the house band on APTN’s Buffalo Tracks, the first Aboriginal variety and talk show on tv, was named Best Group/Duo, while the band’s singer, Faron Johns, was voted Best Male Artist. As well, Blame it on Monday was cited for Best Song/Single, and Alec Fraser and the band were honoured as Best Producer/Engineer honour. - Canadian Press