Alfonzo Primer
b. March 13th, 1945 in Camden (Mississippi)
CHICAGO BLUES SESSION vol.3
Wolf
September 1986
Né dans une famille de métayers du Mississippi, il grandit dans une grande pauvreté et apprend la guitare avec un de ses cousins. John rejoint sa mère à Chicago en 1963 et joue sur le marché de Maxwell Street ainsi que dans les clubs de la ville. Dès 1974, il devient le guitariste de l'orchestre maison du Theresa's, un club du South Side. Il apprend alors la slide guitare auprès de Sammy Lawhorn et accompagne régulièrement Junior Wells. En 1979, Willie Dixon l'embauche dans ses Chicago Blues All Stars et John devient, en 1981, le dernier guitariste de Muddy Waters, un poste qu'il va occuper jusqu'à la mort de ce dernier en 1983. La même année, John entre dans le groupe de Magic Slim et restera avec lui pendant 13 ans. Dans cet album, John chante ses deux premiers morceaux en leader : "Think" et "She moves me".
Born into a Mississippi sharecropping family, he grew up in extreme poverty and learned to play guitar with a cousin. John joined his mother in Chicago in 1963 and played on Maxwell Street open market and in the city's clubs. By 1974, he was the guitarist in the house band at Theresa's, a South Side club. He then learned slide guitar from Sammy Lawhorn and regularly accompanied Junior Wells. In 1979, Willie Dixon hired him for his Chicago Blues All Stars, and in 1981, John became Muddy Waters' last guitarist, a position he held until Waters's death in 1983. That same year, John joined Magic Slim's band and remained with him for 13 years. On this album, John sings his first two songs as a leader : "Think" and "She moves me".
CHICAGO BLUES SESSION vol.6 : POOR MAN BLUES
Wolf
August 1987 / 1991
Déjà très expérimenté, John trouve l'opportunité de graver ses premières séances en leader grâce au label autrichien Wolf accompagné de son patron Magic Slim mais aussi d'excellents sidemen comme Michael Coleman, Billy Branch, Johnny B. Gayden et Ray "Killer" Allison. Ces séances furent rassemblées par Hannes Folterbauer pour constituer ce premier album. Bon chanteur mais surtout guitariste inspiré, John brille sur "Add a little touch", "Poor man blues", "If I could hold you in my arms", "Hiding place", "Forgive not forget". Un premier album prometteur.
Already highly experienced, John found the opportunity to record his first sessions as a leader thanks to the austrian label Wolf, accompanied by his boss Magic Slim and also excellent sidemen such as Michael Coleman, Billy Branch, Johnny B. Gayden, and Ray "Killer" Allison. These sessions were brought together by Hannes Folterbauer to fill this first album. A fine singer but above all an inspired guitarist, John shines on "Add a little touch", "Poor man blues", "If I could hold you in my arms", "Hiding place" and "Forgive not forget". A promising debut album.
THE ZOO BAR COLLECTION vol.6 : EASY BABY
Wolf
Late 1980's
Cet intéressant concert capturé à la fin des années 80 présente John Primer à la tête des Teardrops sur la scène du Zoo Bar de Lincoln. Un bon set de blues traditionnel composé presque uniquement de reprises et certainement un peu trop long.
This interesting concert captured in the late 1980's features John Primer leading the Teardrops on stage at Lincoln's Zoo Bar. A good traditional blues set consisting almost entirely of covers and certainly a bit too long.
YOU CAN MAKE IT IF YOU TRY
Wolf
1990 - 1996
Edité en 2014, ce CD rassemble diverses bandes live de John Primer avec les Teardrops gravées en Autriche dans les années 90 supervisées par le producteur Hannes Folterbauer. Bonne qualité sonore et tracklist sympathique de blues traditionnel.
Released in 2014, this CD brings together various live tapes of John Primer with the Teardrops recorded in Austria in the 1990's supervised by producer Hannes Folterbauer. The sound quality is good and nice traditional blues tracklist.
STUFF YOU GOT TO WATCH
Earwig
Blue Sting
October 1991
Pour son premier album américain, John délivre un album solide et varié, composé de reprises inspirées et de compositions personnelles accrocheuses. Dans cette tracklist intense de pur Chicago Blues, on peut ressortir "Stuff you got to watch", "Inflation blues", l'instrumental "Lawhorn special", "Double trouble", "Baby bring your clothes back home", "I'm gonna ride until I get satisfied" et même une tentative Country ("Rhinestone cowboy").
For his first american album, John delivers a solid and varied album, composed of inspired covers and catchy original compositions. In this intense tracklist of pure Chicago blues, we can highlight "Stuff you got to watch", "Inflation blues", the instrumental "Lawhorn special", "Double trouble", "Baby bring your clothes back home", "I'm gonna ride until I get satisfied" and even a Country attempt ("Rhinestone cowboy").
TEARDROPS BLUES JAM
Wolf
June 1992
Dans cet album (version CD uniquement), John prend trois morceaux en leader dont une excellente version de "Crawling kingsnake".
On this album (CD version only), John takes three songs as a leader including an excellent version of "Crawling kingsnake".
BLUES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Wolf
July 1992 / February 1993
Un bon disque de Chicago Blues traditionnel dans lequel John est accompagné des Teardrops. Il se montre particulièrement à l'aise dans les slow-blues "Good morning heartache" et "Blues behind closed doors". Mais, il faut aussi mentionner cette reprise de "Smokestack" pleine de feeling avec Billy Branch et Johnny B. Moore ou encore "I'm just your fool", "Tore down" (avec des cuivres overdubbés).
A fine album of traditional Chicago blues in which John is accompanied by the Teardrops. He's particularly at ease on slow blues "Good morning heartache" and "Blues behind closed doors". Also noteworthy is the soulful cover of "Smokestack" with Billy Branch and Johnny B. Moore as well as "I'm just your fool", "Tore down" (with overdubbed horns).
COLD BLOODED BLUES MAN
Wolf
1991 - 1994
Nouveau recueil de séances dispersées entre 1991 et 1994 enregistrées entre Chicago et l'Autriche. On apprécie, en particulier, les puissantes versions de "Cuttin' loose", "Cold blooded blues man" ou "What love will do" dans lesquelles John est accompagné d'Eddie Shaw, Little Mack Simmons, Detroit Junior et Magic Slim. Il faut noter aussi une excellente version de "Sad sad day" et d'intéressantes versions acoustiques de "Mojo hand", "Cairo", "Red house" ou "I'm worried".
A new collection of sessions recorded between 1991 and 1994 between Chicago and Austria. Particularly noteworthy are the powerful versions of "Cuttin' loose", "Cold blooded blues man" or "What love will do" featuring John alongside Eddie Shaw, Little Mack Simmons, Detroit Junior and Magic Slim. We can also point out an excellent version of "Sad sad day" and interesting acoustic versions of "Mojo hand", "Cairo", "Red house" or "I'm worried".
FROM WEST HELENA TO CHICAGO
Wolf
July 1992
Dans cette anthologie (version CD uniquement), on trouve un morceau de John Primer : une version acoustique de "Mojo hand".
In this anthology (CD version only), we can find a track by John Primer : an acoustic version of "Mojo hand".
THE REAL DEAL
Code Blue
April 1995
Après 13 ans de bons et loyaux services, John Primer quitte Magic Slim et ses Teardrops pour poursuivre sa fructueuse carrière en solo. Pour cet album, il s'entoure du producteur Mike Vernon et de superbes musiciens (Billy Branch, David Maxwell, Johnny B. Gayden) et propose un remarquable album de blues contemporain. Brillant à la guitare (et particulièrement à la slide guitare), il donne le meilleur de lui-même sur "Stop draggin' that chain around", "Still in love with you", "How long will you be mine", "Cryin' for your love", "I called my baby".
After 13 years of loyal service, John Primer leaves Magic Slim and his Teardrops to pursue his successful solo career. For this album, he teams up with producer Mike Vernon and superb musicians (Billy Branch, David Maxwell, Johnny B. Gayden) to deliver a remarkable album of contemporary blues. Brilliant on guitar (and particularly slide guitar), he gives his best on "Stop draggin' that chain around", "Still in love with you", "How long will you be mine", "Cryin' for your love", "I called my baby".
SLOW BLUES
Wolf
1995
Un titre live inédit ("I'm a bluesman") capturé sur une scène de Vienne (Autriche).
An unreleased live track ("I'm a bluesman") captured on stage in Vienna (Austria).
ALL RIGHT
Blues Special
August 1996
Il s'agit d'un concert enregistré dans un club argentin dans lequel John joue seul de la guitare sur les deux tiers de la set-list puis accompagné d'un groupe local sur les quatre derniers morceaux. Malgré son habileté à la guitare, un CD un peu ennuyeux.
This is a concert recorded in an argentinian club in which John plays guitar alone for two-thirds of the set list then is accompanied by a local band for the last four songs. Despite his guitar skills, it's a somewhat boring CD.
KEEP ON LOVIN' THE BLUES
Code Blue
December 1996
Pour ce second album pour le label Code Blue et le producteur Mike Vernon, John est, comme d'habitude, entouré d'excellents musiciens (Matthew Skoller, Dave Maxwell). Il délivre une belle tranche de blues contemporain enregistrée à Memphis (sur Beale Street) dans laquelle il brille au chant et à la guitare. On apprécie, en particulier, "Keep on lovin' the blues", "My pencil won't write no more", "One minute", "You can't stop doin' what you're doin'", "Like a ship", "I've been travelin'" et "Pay the price".
For this second album for the Code Blue label and producer Mike Vernon John is, as usual, surrounded by a cast of excellent musicians (Matthew Skoller, Dave Maxwell). He delivers a beautiful slice of contemporary blues recorded in Memphis (on Beale Street) in which he shines on vocals and guitar. We can notably highlight "Keep on lovin' the blues", "My pencil won't write no more", "One minute", "You can't stop doin' what you're doin'", "Like a ship", "I've been travelin'" and "Pay the price".
IT'S A BLUES LIFE
Wolf
August 1998
Dans ce nouvel album pour Wolf, John Primer propose surtout des reprises, en particulier de belles lectures du "Last night" de Little Walter et de "Party girl" de T-Bone Walker. On trouve, tout de même, une poignée de compositions personnelles comme le slow blues "Lonesome for your love" ou "Every time you leave me".
On this new album for Wolf, John Primer offers mostly covers, particularly nice readings of Little Walter's "Last night" and T-Bone Walker's "Party girl". There are, however, a handful of original compositions, such as the slow blues "Lonesome for your love" or "Every time you leave me".
KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR
Telarc
Blueside
January 1999
Cette troisième collaboration entre le producteur Mike Vernon et John Primer se fait sous la bannière du label Telarc. Un excellent album de blues d'ou ressortent surtout ses compositions personnelles accrocheuses "Change your evil ways", "Hard working man", "Every time you touch me". On peut aussi mentionner la reprise excitante de "I want to know" de Sugar Pie DeSanto.
This third collaboration between producer Mike Vernon and John Primer is under the Telarc label banner. An excellent blues album, highlighting his catchy personal compositions, such as "Change your evil ways", "Hard working man", "Every time you touch me". Also noteworthy is the exciting cover of Sugar Pie DeSanto's "I want to know".
BLUE STEEL
Wolf
2000
Excellent joueur de slide guitare, il semblait naturel que John Primer rende hommage au légendaire bluesman Elmore James. John produit lui-même ce bel hommage appliqué et souvent inspiré parsemé de bons moments comme "Shake your moneymaker", "It hurts me too", "Too much", "Can't stop lovin'", "I'm worried" et "I held my baby". Pour information, le label a ajouté deux titres déjà publiés sur d'autres albums.
An excellent slide guitar player, it seemed natural for John Primer to pay tribute to the legendary bluesman Elmore James. John personally produced this nice and often inspired tribute scattered with good moments like "Shake your moneymaker", "It hurts me too", "Too much", "Can't stop lovin'", "I'm worried" and "I held my baby". For information, the label has added two tracks previously released on other albums.
ALL ORIGINAL
Blues House
May 2008
Après une longue absence discographique, John Primer fait son retour sur disque sur son propre label Blues House. Pour l'occasion, il délivre un remarquable album de pur Chicago Blues bien supporté par un groupe solide et compétent (avec notamment Melvin "Harmonica" Hinds). Et comme l'annonce le titre, ce ne sont que des compositions personnelles. On retient notamment "Add a little touch", "Other man", "The woman that I'm loving", "Keep on loving the blues", "At home alone" sans oublier l'acoustique "Love in my heart for you".
After a long discographical absence, John Primer returns to record on his own Blues House label. For the occasion, he delivers a remarkable album of pure Chicago blues well supported by a solid and competent backing band (including Melvin "Harmonica" Hinds). And as the title suggests, these are all his own compositions. Highlights include "Add a little touch", "Other man", "The woman that I'm loving", "Keep on loving the blues", "At home alone" and the acoustic "Love in my heart for you".
CALL ME JOHN PRIMER
Wolf
1992 / Spring 2009
Dans cette compilation Wolf, on trouve cinq titres live inédits : un avec les Teardrops ("Look at little sister") et les quatre autres avec le groupe autrichien Mojo Blues Band.
In this Wolf compilation, we can find five previously unreleased live tracks : one with the Teardrops ("Look at little sister") and four with the austrian group Mojo Blues Band.
CHICAGO BLUES : A LIVING HISTORY
Raisin' Music
2009
Dans cette superbe anthologie consacrée au Chicago Blues, John Primer chante cinq morceaux en leader. Accompagné par de formidables musiciens, il brille sur les magnifiques "Feel like going home", "Moanin' at midnight", "Sugar sweet", "Can't stand to see you" et "Your imagination".
In this superb anthology of Chicago blues, John Primer sings as a leader on five tracks. Accompanied by formidable musicians, he shines on the magnificent "Feel like going home", "Moanin' at midnight", "Sugar sweet", "Can't stand to see you" and "Your imagination".
CHICAGO BLUES : A LIVING HISTORY - LIVE AT AULNAY ALL BLUES
Raisin' Music
November 2010
CHICAGO BLUES : A LIVING HISTORY - THE (R)EVOLUTION CONTINUES
Raisin' Music
2011
Pour le deuxième volet de cette magnifique anthologie consacrée au Chicago Blues, John Primer prend quatre titres en leader et apparait sur le titre final. On apprécie, en particulier, "Canary bird", "Chicago bound" et "Howlin' for my baby".
For the second part of this magnificent anthology devoted to Chicago Blues, John Primer takes four tracks as a leader and appears on the final track. We particularly aapreciate "Canary bird", "Chicago bound" and "Howlin' for my baby".
BLUES ON SOLID GROUND
Blues House
2012
Pour ce second opus édité sur son propre label Blues House, John opte pour un album à forte teneur autobiographique et plonge aux racines du Blues. Autour de lui, on remarque surtout l'harmoniciste Russ Green et le pianiste Barrelhouse Chuck dans un environnement essentiellement acoustique. Parmi les meilleurs moments de cette intense tracklist, on trouve "Hiding place", "Blues on solid ground", "Power of attorney", "Crazy for my baby", "When I met the blues", "Happy blues", "Poor man blues".
For this second opus released on his own Blues House label, John opts for a highly autobiographical album, delving into the roots of the blues. Surrounding him are harmonica player Russ Green and pianist Barrelhouse Chuck in a primarily acoustic setting. Highlights from this intense tracklist include "Hiding place", "Blues on solid ground", "Power of attorney", "Crazy for my baby", "When I met the blues", "Happy blues", "Poor man blues".
KNOCKIN' AROUND THESE BLUES
Delta Groove
2013
Premier album conjoint du guitariste John Primer et de l'harmoniciste et producteur Bob Corritore. Un bon disque de Chicago Blues traditionnel auquel il manque un peu de flamme. Cependant, les slow blues "Blue and lonesome" et "Leanin' tree" valent vraiment une écoute attentive.
First joint album by guitarist John Primer and harmonica player and producer Bob Corritore. A good traditional Chicago blues album that lacks a bit of fire. However, the slow blues tracks "Blue and lonesome" and "Leanin' tree" are definitely worth a listen.
THAT WILL NEVER DO
Wolf
2016
Cet album fêtait 30 ans de collaboration entre le bluesman John Primer avec le label autrichien Wolf. Pour l'occasion, il délivre une tracklist (quelques titres live) entièrement constituée de reprises de standards. Parmi celles-ci, on peut retenir "Mannish boy", "Hold me in your arms", "Forty days and forty nights", "Hungry country girl", "Down in the bottom".
This album celebrated 30 years of collaboration between bluesman John Primer and the austrian label Wolf. For the occasion, he delivered a tracklist (some live tracks) consisting entirely of standards covers. Among those covers, we can point out "Mannish boy", "Hold me in your arms", "Forty days and forty nights", "Hungry country girl", "Down in the bottom".
AIN'T NOTHING YOU CAN DO
Delta Groove
2017
Second album conjoint de John Primer et Bob Corritore. Les deux hommes sont, comme d'habitude, accompagnés de superbes sidemen (Barrelhouse Chuck, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey). Ils brillent dans cette tracklist de Chicago Blues souvent traditionnelle mais interprétée avec inspiration : "Poor man blues", "Hold me in your arms", "Gambling blues", "Harmonica boogaloo", "For the love of a woman".
Second joint album by John Primer and Bob Corritore. The two men are, as usual, accompanied by superb sidemen (Barrelhouse Chuck, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey). They shine in this often traditional but inspiredly performed Chicago blues tracklist : "Poor man blues", "Hold me in your arms", "Gambling blues", "Harmonica boogaloo", "For the love of a woman".
CHICAGO PLAYS THE STONES
Raisin' Music
2018
Hommage des bluesmen de Chicago aux chansons des Rolling Stones produit par Larry Skoller dans laquelle John Primer chante deux morceaux honorables : "Let it bleed" et "Angie".
Tribute from the Chicago bluesmen to the songs of the Rolling Stones produced by Larry Skoller in which John Primer sings two honorable tracks : "Let it bleed" and "Angie".
THE GYPSY WOMAN TOLD ME
Vizztone - Southwest Music Arts Foundation
2018 - 2019
Pour leur troisième opus, John Primer et Bob Corritore proposent, une fois encore, leur cocktail de Chicago Blues traditionnel mais joué avec inspiration. "The gypsy woman told me", "Knockin' on your door", "I got the same old blues" (une relecture funky du titre de J.J. Cale), "My imagination", "Left me with a broken heart" figurent parmi les meilleurs moments de ce sympathique album.
For their third album, John Primer and Bob Corritore once again offer their traditional Chicago blues cocktail, but played with inspiration : "The gypsy woman told me", "Knockin' on your door", "I got the same old blues" (a funky reinterpretation of the J.J. Cale song), "My imagination", "Left me with a broken heart" are among the highlights of this nice album.
THE SOUL OF A BLUES MAN
Blues House
2019
Pour ce nouvel album sur son propre label, John propose un album entre Blues et Soul. Une tracklist inégale qui réserve quelques moments sympathiques comme "Slip away", "You shouldn't tell a lie" ou les reprises plutôt convaincantes de "Rainy night in Georgia" et "Members only".
For this new album on his own label, John offers an album somewhere between Blues and Soul. An uneven tracklist that boasts some pleasant moments like "Slip away", "You shouldn't tell a lie" and the rather convincing covers of "Rainy night in Georgia" and "Members only".
CRAWLIN' KINGSNAKE
Vizztone - Southwest Music Arts Foundation
2021 - 2023
Une nouvelle fois, les deux bluesmen s'associent pour enregistrer ce quatrième album de Chicago Blues ensemble. Des titres peu originaux mais bien joués et bien produits faisant la part belle aux sempiternelles reprises.
Once again, the two bluesmen team up to record this fourth Chicago Blues album together. The tracks are unoriginal but well-played and well-produced, featuring a strong emphasis on classic covers.
HARD TIMES
Blues House
February - May 2022
Un bon disque de Chicago Blues entièrement composé par John Primer. Il se montre particulièrement inspiré sur "You got what I want", "Hard times", "Blues blues blues", "Chicago", "Tough times" (avec sa fille Aliya), "My sugar mama", "Try to make you mine".
A fine Chicago blues album composed entirely by John Primer. He is particularly inspired on "You got what I want", "Hard times", "Blues blues blues", "Chicago", "Tough times" (with his daughter Aliya), "My sugar mama", "Try to make you mine".
TEARDROPS FOR MAGIC SLIM
Blues House
November 2022
Un concert de John Primer sur la scène du Rosa's Lounge pour célébrer les 10 ans de la disparition de son ancien boss Magic Slim. Un beau et intense set de Chicago Blues dans lequel il se montre très inspiré à la guitare. Derrière lui, les Teardrops emmené par Jon Mac Donald l'accompagnent efficacement. On note l'apparition de Shawn Holt (le fils de Magic Slim) sur deux morceaux.
A John Primer concert on stage at Rosa's Lounge to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the passing of his former boss, Magic Slim. A beautiful and intense set of Chicago Blues in which he shows nice inspiration on guitar. Behind him, the Teardrops led by Jon Mac Donald provide effective accompaniment. Shawn Holt (Magic Slim's son) also makes an appearance on two tracks.
GROWN IN MISSISSIPPI
Blues House
May 2023 / October 2023 / July 2024
John grave ce nouvel album dans son Mississippi natal et revient au Blues des racines avec talent. Accompagné de quelques amis (Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Watermelon Slim, Lightnin' Malcolm), il délivre une tracklist terrienne et excitante avec de bons moments : "John's blues holler", "Born in Mississippi", "Down in the bottom", "Nothin' but a chicken wing", "When I met the blues", "Lay my burdens down" (chanté par sa fille Aliya), "John's crawdad song".
John recorded this new album in his native Mississippi and returned to roots blues with flair. Accompanied by a few friends (Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Watermelon Slim, Lightnin' Malcolm), he delivered a dwon-home and exciting tracklist with some great moments : "John's blues holler", "Born in Mississippi", "Down in the bottom", "Nothin' but a chicken wing", "When I met the blues", "Lay my burdens down" (sung by his daughter Aliya), "John's crawdad song".
TEN CHICAGO BLUES CLASSICS
Blues House
September 2024
Il s'agit, en fait, beaucoup plus d'un album de l'harmoniciste anglais Giles Robson que de John Primer qui, ici, ne chante pas et se contente d'accompagner le premier à la guitare (et prenant bien peu de solos). De plus, la tracklist n'est constituée que de standards éculés maints fois repris.
This is, in fact, much more an album by english harmonica player Giles Robson than by John Primer, who doesn't sing here and merely accompanies Robson on guitar (and takes very few solos). Moreover, the tracklist consists entirely of well-worn, oft-covered standards.