b. April 11th, 1939 in Itta Bena (Mississippi)
MA BEA'S ROCK
MCM
Storyville
October 1975
Né dans le Delta du Mississippi, il grandit en cueillant le coton avec ses parents. Luther apprend la guitare avec son oncle Arthur Johnson et son cousin Johnny. En 1953, il s'installe à Memphis pour quelques mois avant de se fixer finalement à Chicago deux ans plus tard. Il fait partie de la scène West Side en jouant notamment avec Magic Sam ou Freddie King et forme son propre groupe (avec Willie Kent). Son premier simple studio est enregistré en 1968 (ou en 1972 ?) pour le label Big Beat. Mais, il devient surtout le guitariste de Muddy Waters entre 1973 et 1980 participant à de nombreux albums ("Unk in funk", "Mississippi live") et tournées internationales. En parrallèle, il continue sa carrière personnelle. Il est ici capturé sur scène dans un petit club de Chicago par la française Marcelle Morgantini. Une bonne tranche de blues brut avec derrière lui Willie James Lyons, Willie Kent et Tyrone Centuray. Une moitié du disque est consacrée à Jimmy Johnson. La version CD éditée par Storyville est enrichie de titres supplémentaires.
Born in the Mississippi Delta, he grew up picking cotton with his parents. Luther learned the guitar with his uncle Arthur Johnson and his cousin Johnny. In 1953, he moved to Memphis for a few months before finally settling in Chicago two years later. He is part of the West Side scene, notably playing with Magic Sam or Freddie King and forming his own backing band (with Willie Kent). His first single in studio was recorded in 1968 (or 1972?) for the Big Beat label. But, he especially became the guitarist of Muddy Waters between 1973 and 1980 participating in many albums ("Unk in funk", "Mississippi live") and international tours. In parallel, he continues his personal career. He is captured here on stage in a small club in Chicago by the french Marcelle Morgantini. A good slice of raw blues with behind him Willie James Lyons, Willie Kent and Tyrone Centuray. Half of the disc is dedicated to Jimmy Johnson The CD version edited by Storyville is enhanced with additional titles.
LUTHER'S BLUES
Black & Blue
Evidence
Atlas
November 1976
A l'occasion de la tournée européenne de son boss Muddy Waters, Luther trouve l'opportunité d'enregistrer en leader son premier véritable album studio pour le label français Black & Blue. Il brille au chant et à la guitare sur l'ensemble de cet opus. Derrière lui, un superbe groupe donne le meilleur : Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, Jerry Portnoy, Calvin Jones et Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. On peut retenir de superbes versions de "Mother in law blues", "Luther's blues", "Little queenie", "Too many drivers", "Come baby". L'album a connu plusieurs éditions en CD avec des tracklists différentes. On note également que Pinetop Perkins enregistre l'excellent "Pinetop is on top" lors de la même séance.
On the occasion of the european tour of his boss Muddy Waters, Luther finds the opportunity to record as a leader his first real studio album for the french label Black & Blue. He shines on vocals and guitar on the whole set. Behind him, a superb backing band gives the best : Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, Jerry Portnoy, Calvin Jones and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. We can point out superb versions of "Mother in law blues", "Luther's blues", "Little queenie", "Too many drivers", "Come baby". The album has had several CD editions with different tracklists. We also note that Pinetop Perkins records the excellent "Pinetop is on top" during the same session.
JACKS AND KINGS
Adelphi
Summer - Fall 1977
Luther prend plusieurs titres en leader dans cet album du groupe The Nighthawks dont "Come baby" et "Sugar mama".
Luther takes several tracks as a leader in this album by The Nighthawks including "Come baby" and "Sugar mama".
I CHANGED
Black & Blue
July 1979
Supervisé par Jacques Morgantini, l'album fut enregistré pendant la Grande Parade du Jazz à Nice (France). Avec ses compères Pinetop Perkins, Calvin Jones et Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Luther donne une nouvelle fois une démonstration de ses qualités de bluesman : superbe chanteur et guitariste incisif dans la tradition du West Side Sound. On apprécie particulièrement ici "Leaking gravy", "French funky", "My old time used to be" et une belle reprise de Magic Sam, "Look what you're doing to me". Ce LP n'a jamais été réédité en CD.
Supervised by Jacques Morgantini, the album was recorded during the Grande Parade du Jazz in Nice (France). Along with his bandmates Pinetop Perkins, Calvin Jones and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Luther gives a once again a demonstration of his qualities as a bluesman : superb singer and incisive guitarist in the tradition of the West Side Sound. We particularly appreciate here "Leaking gravy", "French funky", "My old time used to be" and a beautiful cover of Magic Sam, "Look what you're doing to me". This LP has never been reissued on CD.
LIVING CHICAGO BLUES vol.6 (lp) / vol.4 (cd)
Alligator
Sonet
Spring 1980
Dans la célèbre série supervisée par Bruce Iglauer pour documenter la scène chicagoane de l'époque, co-financée par Alligator et Sonet, Luther se montre une nouvelle fois à son meilleur. Derrière lui, on trouve son groupe habituel Pinetop Perkins, Calvin Jones, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith mais aussi Brian Bisesi et Joe Berson. Les quatre titres gravés sont puissants et prenants : "Somebody have mercy", "Got to have money", "Just like mama said" et "Look what you done".
In the famous series supervised by Bruce Iglauer to document the Chicagoan scene of the time, co-financed by Alligator and Sonet, Luther once again shows himself at his best. Behind him, we find his usual backing band Pinetop Perkins, Calvin Jones, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith but also Brian Bisesi and Joe Berson. The four engraved titles are catchy and powerful : "Somebody have mercy", "Got to have money", "Just like mama said" and "Look what you done".
BLUES EXPLOSION
Atlantic
ATLANTIC BLUES : CHICAGO
Atlantic
July 1982
Une superbe version de "Walkin' the dog", capturée par Philippe Rault, sur la scène du célèbre Montreux Jazz Festival.
A superb version of "Walkin' the dog", captured by Philippe Rault, on the stage of the famous Montreux Jazz Festival.
DOIN' THE SUGAR TOO
Blue Phoenix
Rooster
Bullseye
June 1983
Luther a quitté Chicago en 1982 pour s'installer à Boston. En fait, cet album est son premier album studio complet sur un label américain. Pour l'occasion, il est entouré de remarquables musiciens : Ron Levy, Walter Smith, Michael Avery et les cuivres sensationnels des Roomful of Blues (dont Greg Piccolo, Doug James, Rich Lataille). L'album est produit par Andy Breslau et regorge de moments intenses comme "Doin' the sugar too", "Flippin' and floppin'", "I need some air", "Woke up this mornin'", "Bad boy", "You were wrong". La version CD Bullseye propose deux titres inédits et une prise alternative supplémentaire.
Luther left Chicago in 1982 to settle in Boston. In fact, this album is his first full studio album on an american label. For the occasion, he is surrounded by remarkable musicians : Ron Levy, Walter Smith, Michael Avery and the sensational horns of the Roomful of Blues (including Greg Piccolo, Doug James, Rich Lataille). The album is produced by Andy Breslau and is full of intense moments like "Doin' the sugar too", "Flippin' and floppin'", "I need some air", "Woke up this mornin'", "Bad boy", "You were wrong". The Bullseye CD version features two previously unreleased tracks and one additional alternate take.
BACKTRACK
Varrick
July 1986
Nouvelle apparition de Luther sur un album des Nighthawks (il chante sur le slow blues "On my job").
New appearance of Luther on a Nighthawks album (he sings on the slow blues "On my job").
DUCK'S 3
Shag Archives
February 1988
Dans cette anthologie, on trouve "Love your sexy ways" un titre que Luther a enregistré à Saint Louis avec Oliver Sain et Johnnie Johnson pour le label Pulsar.
In this anthology, we find "Love your sexy ways" a title that Luther recorded in Saint Louis with Oliver Sain and Johnnie Johnson for the Pulsar label.
I WANT TO GROOVE WITH YOU
Bullseye
1990
Dans les années 80, Luther n'a finalement enregistré qu'un seul album complet. Heureusement, les années 90 sont plus fructueuses pour lui. En 1990, il entame une collaboration avec le label Bullseye sous la supervision de Ron Levy. Luther délivre un bel album de Blues solidement épaulé par les excellents Gordon "Sax" Beadle (saxophone) et Joe Krown (claviers). On retient notamment "I'm from Mississippi", "Luther's boogie", "I want to groove with you", "Graveyard dogs", "Call me Guitar Junior".
In the 80's, Luther finally recorded only one full album. Fortunately, the 90's are more fruitful for him. In 1990, he began a collaboration with the Bullseye label under the supervision of Ron Levy. Luther delivers a nice Blues album solidly supported by the excellent Gordon "Sax" Beadle (saxophone) and Joe Krown (keyboards). We particularly point out "I'm from Mississippi", "Luther's boogie", "I want to groove with you", "Graveyard dogs", "Call me Guitar Junior".
IT'S GOOD TO ME
Bullseye
1992
Second album pour Bullseye toujours avec le producteur Ron Levy. Avec les mêmes musiciens ou presque, Luther se montre encore très en forme avec "Feel so bad", "I'm leaving you", "Stealin' chickens", l'instrumental syncopé "It's good to me". On n'oublie pas non plus la superbe reprise de "Deep down in Florida" de son mentor Muddy Waters.
Second album for Bullseye, still with producer Ron Levy. With the same musicians or almost, Luther is still in great shape with "Feel so bad", "I'm leaving you", "Stealin' chickens", the syncopated instrumental "It's good to me". We also don't forget the superb cover of "Deep down in Florida" by his mentor Muddy Waters.
COUNTRY SUGAR PAPA
Bullseye
1993
Troisième et dernier album de Luther "Guitar Jr" Johnson pour le label Bullseye. Comme pour les deux précédents, il s'agit d'un album de blues sympathique mais conventionnel. Certaines compositions sortent du lot comme "You told me baby" ou "I love you" ainsi que des reprises (en particulier "You belong to me" de Magic Sam).
Third and last album by Luther "Guitar Jr" Johnson for the Bullseye label. As with the two previous ones, this is a nice but conventional blues album. Some compositions stand out like "You told me baby" or "I love you" as well as covers (in particular "You belong to me" by Magic Sam).
BLUES ROUTES
Smithsonian - Folkways
March 1994
Un titre en concert ("Flipping and flopping") avec ses anciens compères du Muddy Waters Blues Band.
A title in concert ("Flipping and flopping") with his former friends from the Muddy Waters Blues Band.
LIVE AT THE RYNBORN
M.C.
September 1995
Luther était un habitué du Rynborn où il jouait hebdomadairement. Un soir de septembre 1995, il fut enregistré sur la scène du club et les bandes furent éditées par Mark Carpentieri. Malheureusement, la set-list est remplie de reprises sans surprises, les musiciens jouent sans feeling et Luther semble sans inspiration.
Luther was a regular at the Rynborn where he played weekly. One evening in september 1995, he was recorded on the club stage and the tapes were issued by Mark Carpentieri. Unfortunately, the set-list is filled with unsurprising covers, the musicians play without feeling and Luther seems uninspired.
SLAMMIN' ON THE WEST SIDE
Telarc
September 1995
Maintenant chez Telarc, Luther "Guitar Jr" Johnson propose un bel album de Blues avec des accents funky, produit par John Snyder. On trouve plusieurs moments intenses comme "She's looking good", "Hey little girl", "Sittin' on the back seat of a greyhound bus", "Another man" dans une track-list peut être un peu longue.
Now at Telarc, Luther "Guitar Jr" Johnson offers a nice Blues album with funky accents, produced by John Snyder. There are several intense moments like "She's looking good", "Hey little girl", "Sittin' on the back seat of a greyhound bus", "Another man" in a maybe bit long track-list.
GOT TO FIND A WAY
Telarc
March 1998
Ce second album pour Telarc s'inscrit dans la parfaite continuation du précédent : un blues classique bien joué et teinté de funk par moments produit cette fois par Randy Labbe. Un programme plaisant avec des titres méritant l'écoute : "Got to find a way", "Luther's blues", "Home alone".
This second album for Telarc is a perfect continuation of the previous one : a classic blues well played and tinged with funk at times produced this time by Randy Labbe. A pleasant program with titles worth listening to : "Got to find a way", "Luther's blues", "Home alone".
THE SONGS OF WILLIE DIXON
Telarc
July - August 1998
Dans cet album hommage à Willie Dixon, Luther chante "My love will never die" en compagnie de Ronnie Earl à la guitare.
In this tribute album to Willie Dixon, Luther sings "My love will never die" accompanied by Ronnie Earl on guitar.
TANGLED UP IN BLUES : THE SONGS OF BOB DYLAN
House of Blues
1999
Pour cet album hommage à Bob Dylan, Luther reprend "Pledging my time" (James Cotton à l'harmonica et une section cuivres ont été ajoutés en overdubbing).
For this Bob Dylan tribute album, Luther covers "Pledging my time" (James Cotton on harmonica and a horn section have been overdubbed).
TALKIN' ABOUT SOUL
Telarc
August 2000
Ce troisième album pour le label Telarc est cette fois réalisé sous la supervision du producteur Paul Kahn. Luther est en forme et est entouré de bons sidemen (Brian Bisesi, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, David Maxwell, Jerry Portnoy). On apprécie "Talkin' about soul", "It's your thing", "Crazy over you", "Suffer so hard with the blues" et la reprise de "Why are people like that".
This third album for the Telarc label is this time produced under the supervision of producer Paul Kahn. Luther is in good shape and is surrounded by good sidemen (Brian Bisesi, Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, David Maxwell, Jerry Portnoy). We appreciate "Talkin' about soul", "It's your thing", "Crazy over you", "Suffer so hard with the blues" and the cover of "Why are people like that".
WON'T BE BACK NO MORE
Crossroads Blues Media
June 2020
Installé en Floride depuis 2017, Luther "Guitar Jr" Johnson n'avait pas remis les pieds dans un studio depuis 20 ans ! Malheureusement, cet album tout acoustique se révèle bien plat : ni inspiration, ni feeling, ni flamme dans une set-list beaucoup trop longue. Un retour aux affaires bien triste pour ce bluesman.
Based in Florida since 2017, Luther "Guitar Jr" Johnson had not set foot in a studio for 20 years ! Unfortunately, this all-acoustic album turns out to be very flat : neither inspiration, neither feeling nor flame in a set-list that is far too long. A very sad return to business for this bluesman.
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
Crossroads Blues Media
October 2020