Release Date: 18 March 2022
Label: JSP
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 0788065250720
Genres: Blues Chicago Blues
Description
Some of the toughest Chicago Blues ever recorded by slide guitar legend Johnny Littlejohn featuring his legendary JSP studio album and many rare 45s.
This is a definitive collection of the best works by the toughest and rawest Chicago Blues slide player. His early ghetto audience 45s are collected here for the very first time and this is followed by his legendary JSP studio album cut at Soto Sound in Chicago, given a brand new and very much harder and tougher mix. Also featured are some previously unknown live tracks with a full Chicago band.
"People was coming from places like Joliet, Chicago Heights, different places, they'd listen, they'd sit there and drink, they'd listen to me." - Johnny Littlejohn
"Johnny Littlejohn was a dazzling slide guitarist heavily influenced by Elmore James. His versatility and professionalism made him popular on the Chicago blues scene." - James Segrest & Mark Hoffman
"Today's blues in the small bars still draws strength from the slide guitar style, whose shrill whine rings loud and clear from the taverns. Homesick James, J.B. Hutto, Hound Dog Taylor and David 'Honeyboy' Edwards have always played with a slide. But a newer name is Johnny Littlejohn (John Funchess) from Lake, Mississippi, who although part of the Gary scene in the early '50s, when he played with John Brim as well as with Jimmy Reed and Eddie Taylor had to wait until 1965 to get on record." - Mike Rowe, 'Chicago Breakdown'
Like many Chicago bluesmen, Johnny's first 45s were recorded for small labels and when Mike Rowe wrote 'Chicago Breakdown' in 1973 Johnny Littlejohn was still seen as a 'newer name'. Yet he had recorded a well-received album for Arhoolie Records - 'Chicago Blues Stars' five years earlier.
Tracklisting
Otis Grand
Various
Judy Garland
James Harman
The Butler Twins
Various Artists
Various
Louisiana Red & Carey Bell
