Lonnie Johnson – Blues & Ballads

Two guitars and a long musical memory

Lonnie Johnson’s recording history reaches far back beyond the LP era. In 1927 he was already recording with Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five. On Blues & Ballads, made in 1960, his electric guitar meets Elmer Snowden’s acoustic guitar and Wendell Marshall’s double bass. Three players bring blues, standards and early jazz experience into the same conversation.

The session took place on 5 April at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in Englewood Cliffs. Chris Albertson produced it and wrote the liner notes. Having helped Johnson return to recording after years away from the spotlight, Albertson was central to this later chapter with Prestige/Bluesville.

More than the solo

“Haunted House” opens the record, followed by Eubie Blake and Andy Razaf’s “Memories of You”. Johnson’s singing deserves the same attention as his playing. The guitar lines form part of an interpretation that develops across an entire song.

Notice how a vocal phrase can find an answer in the guitar. Marshall’s bass provides another point of reference. With no drummer, the string instruments carry the rhythmic responsibilities between them, bringing accompaniment and melody into close contact.

Elmer Snowden’s answering voice

Snowden brings his own history in early jazz. He plays guitar here, and “Elmer’s Blues” gives his name a place in the programme. To hear the partnership from another angle, follow the changing chords rather than the leading melodic line.

“Savoy Blues” makes a particularly direct connection to Johnson’s past: he recorded Kid Ory’s composition with Armstrong in 1927. More than three decades later it returns in this intimate setting. “St. Louis Blues” and “Back Water Blues” extend the journey through the repertoire before “Jelly Roll Baker” brings it to a close.

This Bluesville LP

ACONC 838 presents the ten album tracks on one 180-gram record. Craft credits Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab with remastering and cutting from the original tapes and describes the process as all-analog. QRP manufactures the pressing. A replica tip-on jacket and an obi with notes by Scott Billington accompany Albertson’s original commentary. These specifications apply to this reissue rather than every edition of the album.

You order from Michael 45 in Germany. We arrange the US import and dispatch from Hilden.

Musicians

Documented selection of participating musicians. Personnel may vary by track; this list does not claim to be complete.