Search - Luther Johnson :: Got to Find a Way

Got to find a way

Docendo Discimus | 12/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As always, Luther's straight forward, real blues tradition shines on this cd. Mr. Cooke on the sax adds depth and flavor. He's awesome. "Home Alone" is my favorite track on this CD. Truly enjoyable listening time after time."

3 1/2 stars. Another good effort by Luther

Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 05/19/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Luther 'Guitar Jr.' Johnson is backed by a sympathetic little blues combo here, bass, drums, keyboards, a sax and a rhythm guitar (Brian Bisesi, who once worked with J.B. Hutto).

There aren't too many surprises, but it would be surprise if there were, I suppose. This is good ol'fashioned blues Chicago style, with a couple of soul tunes thrown in for good measure. The title track is one of them, a fine, melodic, if slightly over-long, soul stomper in the style of Otis Redding.



A few of these songs would indeed have worked better if they had been shorter and tighter, but many of the longer numbers are quite excellent, with plenty of room for tasteful soloing.

There are no obvious replacements for "Hoochie Coochie Man" or "Killing Floor" here, but plenty of good blues tunes, ranging from slow burners to rollicking up-tempo numbers. "You Ought To Be Ashamed" is the quintessential blues tune, a dance-friendly mid-tempo swagger with a clanging R&B piano, and "I Gotta Move Out Of My Neighborhood" is a great slow burner.

The soul-blues of "Home Alone" and Little Milton's "So Mean To Me" is equally well executed, and the same could be said for almost all of these 11 songs. There are no great highlights, perhaps, but there are no clunkers either, and that's a rare feat, actually.



Not highly original, but pleasant and a fine listen.

3 1/2 stars."