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Johnny, while ‘Silently Suffering’ by Billy Flynn is one of only 2 songs on the album that wasn’t
written by Johnny (the other is Eddie Boyd’s ‘Vacation from the Blues’). There is more great
piano on ‘Cincinnati Boogie’ from Cincinnati’s own Ben Levin and on ‘Fresno Woman’ Hannah
PK handles the 88s with Johnny playing cutting electric slide.

On ‘I’m Playing Straight’ John Blues Boyd takes the vocals while Johnny plays harp and on ‘Older
and Wiser’ Rae Gordon sings on this Memphis blues shuffle. ‘I Was Right the First Time’ is
another shuffle this time in the style of Jimmy Reed and we finish with a nice West Side-style
blues ‘I Never Tried to Get Ahead’. While I couldn’t claim that this is an exceptional record I did
enjoy it, with Johnny playing authentic rock-solid Chicago blues and with the different musicians
adding variety as Johnny demonstrates his mastery of different guitar styles and also sings on

most of the tracks.
Graham Harrison.

Gerald McClendon—Down at the Juke Joint—Delta Roots
Dr-1005

How Gerald isn’t better known, I really don’t know. Listen to
the sweet southern soul flavoured opener, ‘Back Where You
Belong’, or the blues- soul of the title track with veteran Mary
Lane on backing vocals. Straight blues comes courtesy of
‘House Ain’t A Home’, a slow number about the results of a
fall-out, with Windy City veteran Maurice John Vaughn
guesting and supplying tough guitar licks, and the lilting ‘So

Long’ sounds like one of those Ronn 45s from the late 70s or
early 80s - and that is a strong recommendation. The quality
stays at this high level throughout.

It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise though that this set is a real winner from start to finish.
Known as “The Soulkeeper”, Gerald is Chicago-born and already has a strong and somewhat
varied discography going back to 2001. Note though too that long-time Chicago (and West Coast)
drummer Twist Turner recorded and produced this set, as well as playing several instruments,
as he has done for Gerald previously. It’s a match that works extremely well.

There’s not a track less than wonderful listening. If pushed, I’d describe this as leaning more
towards soul than the blues, but with a voice the quality of Gerald’s, top-notch arrangements
tailored to each track, and hand-picked, experienced musicians who know just what this music
requires, this really couldn’t be anything less than totally listenable and enjoyable.

Norman Darwen

Giles Robson—Seven Blues Classics—Independent,
GR1005
(www.gilesrobson.com)

Jersey-based singer and harmonica ace Giles has established
himself as a major figure on the international blues scene over
the last few years. Being the only British man to have appeared
on Alligator Records helps (a lot!), I guess, as do sell-out shows
and a strong commitment to promoting the real blues, as on
his recent tour with Chicago’s John Primer. None of this