Blues CD Reviews 103
Blind Lemon Pledge
Oh So Good
OFEH Records
Publicity: Blind Raccoon
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © April 2024
Although it ever happening is a long shot, should you ever run into Blind Lemon Pledge while he's with his parents, I don't suggest you greet them as Mr. & Mrs. Pledge. Instead, the proper way to address them would be with Mr. & Mrs. Byfield, the proud parents of a highly creative character whose real name is James Byfield
A few years ago, when I reviewed his Goin' Home CD, I commented on the fact that being his eighth release in twelve years, Blind Lemon was impressively releasing new and mostly original music every year-and-a-half. Now, just like clockwork, here he is with Oh So Good - his tenth release in fifteen years.
On Oh So Good, the band is an acoustic trio featuring Blind Lemon Pledge on vocals and guitar; Peter Grenell on bass; and Juli Moscovitz on drums. The recording contains eleven James Byfield originals and a cover of "House Of The Risin' Sun".
The disc opens with a track titled "Big Bill". Just to give you an idea of the kind of character Bill is, think slaves workin' a field of cotton; chain gangs workin' along southern highways; or any similar situation where the crews refer to someone as "boss man". That said, the song is actually about the boss man's daughter, Adeline.....as is don't even think about looking at Adeline any longer than a blink. Blind Lemon's vocal's will attest that he has no plans of ever doing so and his acoustic slide guitar work is killer - as in what Big Bill will become if he does.
The title track - "Oh So Good" - in typical Blind Lemon style is a love song of sorts. Admitting to having been a player over most of his life, he has a unique way of claiming he's a changed man. His preferred way of professing his loyalty includes saying things like "I've been being "Oh So Good", better than I thought I would. I've been being "Oh So Good" since I got it bad for you". The fabulous guitar and rhythm work are a mixed bag of bluegrass, honky-tonk, folk, and more, making a song for just about anyone to want to dance to.
So, my favorite combination of a slow blues song being the longest track on the disc takes place on a track titled "How Can I Still Love You?" With powerfully melancholic lyrics like "How can I still miss you when all you've ever been is gone?"; "How do I want to kiss you when all you've ever been is wrong?"; "How do I still be faithful when nothin' that you say is true?"; "How do I still see roses when all I ever get is blue?"; and "How can I still go on dreamin' when you drove Mr. Sandman out?"; that are sung with amazingly deep emotion; you just can't not share Blind Lemon's pain. Musically, Peter and Juli are in that perfect sullen rhythm groove while Lemon plays some of the best acoustic blues on the disc. Yep, I'm saying it....."Song Of The Year" material right here.
More often than I personally care for, during an acoustic show at a club, the audiences tends to be more involved with their mouths instead of their ears. On the other hand, there are those compelling performances that will make those yakking jaws drop to a point of being able to hear a pin drop. This offering of "Moon Over Memphis" is that performance.
Too bad this song wasn't written and released back in the American Bandstand era, because I would have loved to see a bunch of teenagers doing the "Jump The Willie".....I think! On the other hand, no matter where it's played or the demographic it's being played for, at Blind Lemon Pledge live shows, this has to be a dance floor filler.
"Give My Poor Heart Ease" finds James making a heartfelt offering to the Lord. It's pretty much a conversation that might be heard in a confessional, solemnly being put to music. Based on sincerity alone, I can hear the priest saying "Say an 'Act of Contrition' and two 'Hail Marys' and the Lord will forgive you".
The disc closes with what could possibly be one of the most covered songs in the history of music - "The House Of the Risin' Sun" (Traditional). Considering it's an acoustic rendition, I'm quite impressed with its aggressive presentation. Some of the disc's best instrumentation is definitely happening right here.
Other tracks on what might be Blind Lemon Pledge's best release to date are: "Junkyard Dog"; "Hard Heart Honey Bee"; "Ma Belle Cherie"; "Cora Lee"; and "Come Back Little Sheba".
If you've not yet received a copy of Oh So Good for airplay, please contact Betsie Brown at - www.blindraccoon.com - and should you like to find out more about Blind Lemon Pledge, just go to - www.blindlemon-pledge.com.
Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.
Using a play on the title of his new release, while rambling from coast to coast, Rockin' Johnny Burgin - as he was billed back then - has actually passed through Mary4Music.com several times. The first time was back in 2018, on a recording he made with the late Mike Mettalia and others titled "Chicago/The Blues Legends Today", and another was when he was featured with the Mike Bourne Band on a release titled "Cruisin' Kansas City". That said, I'm very happy to once again be writing about the music of this veteran Chicago bluesman.
Johnny Burgin's latest release is titled Ramblin' From Coast To Coast, and as he usually is, on this recording Johnny is joined by a star-studded cast. Joining Johnny - on guitar, vocals and harmonica - are: Danny Banks, Reo Casey, David Plouffe and Shorty Starr on drums; Dylan Bishop and Jad Tariq on guitar; Christian Dozzler, Hanna PK and Ben Levin on piano; Jon Hay, Chris Matheos; and Mike Morgan on bass; Barry Seelen on organ; John Blues Boyd and Rae Gordon on vocals; and Lisa Leuschner, Marina Crouse and Jill Dineen on backup vocals. Of the disc's twelve tracks, ten are Johnny Burgin originals.
The title track actually evolved from a breakup. Not being able to deal with going to the same old places, in the same old town, seeing the same old people 'they' used to know as a couple, getting dumped sent Johnny "Ramblin' From Coast To Coast". Claiming he now has "the blues from coast to coast", makes it appear he's still suffering, but just in different places. Musically, the progressive rhythm Jon Hay (bass) and Danny Banks (drums) are rolling out is certainly one for traveling; should Johnny need it, the smokin' guitar leads Jad Tariq is laying down will definitely light a fire under his ass.
"Silently Suffering" is a song of Billy Flynn's that Johnny took the liberty of adding some lyrics to. Of course, being long-time friends going back to their college days - where Johnny actually took guitar lessons from him - Billy won't mind at all. Contrary to the title, Johnny's suffering - which can clearly be heard and felt in his emotional vocals and stinging guitar leads - is not at all silent. Additionally, Mike Morgan (bass), Reo Casey (drums) and Christian Dozzler (piano) add the perfect slow blues rhythm to the mix.
Two cities Johnny obviously rambled through on this coast to coast run of his were Cincinnati and Fresno. While in "The 'Nati", he teamed up with local piano prodigy Ben Levin, and together they rocked out on a track quite appropriately titled "Cincinnati Boogie"; and while in Fresno, that "Fresno Woman" he met could very well be the start of him forgetting why he hit the road in the first place. This shuffle features a lot more smokin' piano/guitar antics, this time with Hanna PK ticklin' the hell out of the ivories and Johnny kickin' the hell out of the slide guitar.
Having worked with her before, a statement on the one sheet makes it quite obvious that Johnny couldn't wait to once again join forces with powerhouse vocalist Rae Gordon. I don't think there could be a more emphatic compliment than saying that "If Johnny won the lottery, Rae would be his feature vocalist for all eternity". It doesn't take more than a listen to "Older And Wiser" to know why. These two seem to magically bring out the best in each other.
The second of the two covers is an Eddie Boyd composition called "Vacation From The Blues" - something I never want. It's a Texas style shuffle that features tandem guitar runs from Johnny and Dylan Bishop; and scorching honky-tonk piano from Christian Dozzler.
The disc closes with a straight up, old school, Chicago blues number. As Johnny tells it, he "Never Tried To Get Ahead", he just wanted to be his own man, have a good time, and get by the best he can. That said, right here, his vocals and guitar work are indeed the best they can be. Similarly, that can also be said for Hanna PK and her stellar piano performance.
Other songs on Ramblin' From Coast To Coast include: "Getting My Blues On"; "I Need Something Sweet"; "Stepladder Blues"; "I'm Playing Straight"; and "I Was Right The First Time".
Although it's a year or so away, don't be surprised to see this one make some noise when the '25 awards season rolls around.
To find out more about Johnny Burgin just go to his website - www.johnnyburgin.bandcamp.com - and if you haven't yet received your copy of Ramblin' From Coast To Coast for airplay, please contact Gina Hughes of the Galaxie Agency at - gina@thegalaxieagency.com or Michelle Castiglia at - macradiopromo@gmail.com. Of course, wherever you go and whomever you contact, please make sure you tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.
