Blues File - Rediscovering Lonnie Johnson

Part of Series Blues File
Length 03:51
Licensor WXPN
Producer(s) Jonny Meister
Formats Commentary, Soft Feature, Weekly Program
Topics African American, Entertainment, Music
Produced April 23, 2008
Added to PRX April 23, 2008
 

Listen:

You need to sign up or login to listen to pieces on PRX.

flash player holder

Summary:

Review of "Rediscovering Lonnie Johnson" album by Blues Anatomy with producer Aaron Levinson interview

Website:

http://www.xpn.org/blues

Tones:

Authoritative, Informational, Sound Rich

Language:

English

Description:

Lonnie Johnson played jazz and blues and enjoyed a remarkable career with more than a few ups and downs. He played guitar, violin, and piano, sang and wrote songs, and was the first artist to record a real guitar solo on a commercially issued record, in 1925. The guitar definitely wasn't the pre-eminent instrument it has become in the 20s. Johnson was a major influence to another Johnson, Robert Johnson, as well as jazz great Charlie Christian, and B. B. King. The Philadelphia area group Blues Anatomy has put out an album called "Rediscovering Lonnie Johnson" that pays tribute to this great artist. Another Johnson, Jef Lee Johnson, "plays the part" of Lonnie Johnson on the album. Geoff Muldaur puts in a guest vocalist appearance on one of Johnson's biggest hits, "He's A Jelly Roll Baker." This Blues File features music both from Lonnie and from Blues Anatomy, along with commentary from the producer of "Rediscovering Lonnie Johnson" Aaron Levinson.