During this writer’s period as a blues radio host in the early ‘80s, Jimmy Johnson’s “Ashes in My Ashtray” and “ I Need Some Easy Money” from his 1979 Delmark Johnson’s Whacks or “Heap See” from his 1983 Alligator Bar Room Preacher, along with several other Johnson nuggets, were among the most frequent tunes played. So, it’s thrilling to see the 90-year old veteran return to Delmark 40 years from his initial recording for the label, sounding almost as vital as ever vocally and fluid as can be with his signature guitar style. Johnson’s long been established in the front rank of Chicago bluesman with a distinct guitar approach based in a minor key and impassioned high register vocals that seem to merge the best of blues, gospel and R&B into one intensely glorious instrument. Remarkably, it’s all intact on Every Day of Your Life.
The album is comprised of five originals, labeled with his original surname, Thompson, and four other stunners including Fenton Robinson’s “Loan Me a Dime” and Bobby “Blue” Bland’s hit, “Lead Me On” which finds Jimmy alone at the piano singing. He’s backed by two separate bands, featuring appropriately enough, some of the city’s best such as Rico McFarland (guitar), Roosevelt Purifoy (keys), Brother John Kattke (keys), and Pooky Styx (drums), among several others. Johnson renders all lead vocals and lead guitar but does engage in some fine guitar interplay with McFarland on his own “Rattlesnake.”
He begins with his own, the funky title track based on a wise lyrical message from one who is qualified to impart more wisdom than most. His original “The Ring” is surprisingly constructed around a reggae beat. Some may think this is new, but Johnson was always willing to tackle country and pop too, putting his own spin on it. “Down in the Valley” churns and burns like the best of Johnson’s early recordings and he demonstrates why he is among the best at slow blues on “Strange Things Happening” and as hard-hitting as any with “I Need You So Bad.” Nonetheless, most will point to his treatment of Robinson’s “Loan Me a Dime,” since many are familiar with the Boz Skaggs/ Duane Allman rendition of the tune. The other familiar one, the uplifting “Lead Me On ”is essentially a gospel tune, especially fitting since Johnson first came up as a gospel and R&B singer. Johnson didn’t even become a full-time blues guitarist until the mid-seventies, by which time he was in his mid-forties. For more detail, examine the well-written liner notes from blues historian, Bill Dahl.
This is Johnson’s first recording in more than ten years. Outside of Chicago, he’s been mostly under the radar for years. Hopefully, this will inspire new listeners to seek out others in his catalog. God willing we’ll have a few more. Jimmy Johnson’s a living legend unlike any other. Buddy Guy gets all the ink, but to this writer’s ears the elder Johnston is every bit as intense, albeit in a different way.
