Lonnie Johnson Vol. 7 (1931 - 1932)

Album Review

Lonnie Johnson, who had played both creative blues and advanced jazz in the 1920s, was sticking exclusively to blues (with some good-time hokum) by 1931. These 21 performances ended his classic period with OKeh before Johnson disappeared from records for five years. All of the selections are solo vocal/guitar numbers with the exception of three cuts, where he switches to piano and one duet with pianist Fred Longshaw. Johnson is in excellent form on such numbers as "Low Down St. Louis Blues," "Hell Is a Name for Sinners," "Best Jockey in Town," "She's Dangerous With the Thing," and "Racketeers Blues." True blues collectors will want all seven Lonnie Johnson CDs in this valuable series.