Search - Junior Watson :: If I Had a Genie

Junior Solo Again-Really Long Overdue

J. Bell | Philadelphia, Pa USA | 03/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Long known among the blues guitar community as one of the most unique and gifted talents of his generation, Junior Watson has made his fans' long wait for his second solo release well worth it with the release of "If I Had a Genie." While not entirely the traditional and jump blues his fans have come to expect, this release is Junior's deepest expression of the diverse influences he absorbed growing up in '60s southern California. Along with the expected tips of his hat to the likes of Lazy Lester, Johnny Otis (the rhumba inspired title cut), Mercury records artist Woo Woo Moore and the inimitable Pee Wee Crayton, Junior serves up tex-mex (Two Tacos), second line New Orleans gumbo ala Snooks Eaglin and a couple of truly memorable swing hooks cooked up with sax man Barron Shul that you'll be humming for days. Sadly, Junior remains one of the larger blue's community's most underappreciated talents, but one hopes his recent signing with the people behind Susan Tedeschi and Johnny Lang will finally bring him the wider recognition he so richly deserves. He's been criss-crossing the country for nearly 3 years now; find out when he'll be in your town."

A solid effort for Junior is better than most.

J. Bell | 01/17/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Any new Junior Watson disc is a treat. It has been a long time since "Long Overdue", and I was excited to hear this one. This album is not as swing oriented as his first disc. It has some swing elements, but it has more of a traditional blues feel than outright west coast swing.His guitar playing is always quirky and inspired- this disc is no exception. All of the tracks were cut live with no overdubs, so it has a real live feel to it. His guitar sound is not as big as it used to be, I think due mostly to the fact that he has been using the Les Paul more than the Harmony hollowbody.Junior's singing on this disc is a real treat. He is normally the guitar player for someone else, but with the emotion and vibe that he puts into this, I don't think he should stay on the sidelines anymore.If you already are here, you probably like Junior and will buy this disc anyway. If you are not familiar with him, but you enjoy real blues (no rock n' roll added), do yourself a favor and buy this. He is one of the most important blues guitar stylists of the past 20 years."

In reply to "Take his Guitar Away"

J. Bell | 03/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe that Junior is one of the greatest living blues guitar players, and we are all very fortunate to have someone like this still living so that we can go and see him play and learn from a true master. He is a truly authentic player and draws from broader influences than many so called blues players on the scene. He is a master of West Coast blues in the vein of Pee Wee Crayton and T-Bone. This album is a wonderful documentation of a remarkable musician, do not hesitate to purchase this or any other Junior Watson album."