Recorded live at The Timeout Pub, Rockland, Maine.

Apart from an extra number on the CD and an after gig interview on the DVD all twelve numbers are the same on both discs. Johnny (who, by the way is not related to that other fine soul singer Lou Rawls) has served a long and highly informative apprenticeship; beginning with his grandfather John Paul Newson, a blind guitarist who played in and around the Hattiesburg area of Mississippi; roughly eight miles from the small town of Purvis where Johnny was born in 1951.

As Johnny steadily progressed musically through his teenage years his band was approached to provide backing for such legendary artists as Z.Z. Hill, Little Johnny Taylor, Joe Tex and The Sweet Inspirations. In the mid seventies he became O.V. Wrights’ band director but, after the sad and untimely passing of O.V. Wright in 1980 Johnny subsequently became the bandleader for Johnny Taylor up until 1985 when he felt that the time was right to strike out as solo performer. In the intervening years he has recorded, produced and arranged a number of albums for himself and others on labels such as; Touch Records, Rooster Blues and JSP to name but a few.

With this win double of a release we not only hear the reassuring and hugely satisfying; gospel inflected soulful blues of Johnny; vocals, guitar and his two sterling sidemen Greg Allen; bass and David Span; drums. But we also see how well the band coax the audience in this small intimate setting, out of their chairs and onto the dancefloor with a mixture of a homely presence and a friendly demeanour; combined with a consummate relaxed easygoing southern style that comforts and inspires everybody to simply throw their cares away and groove to the tunes.

Johnny has a strong, naturally effortless, singular voice that is not dissimilar to that of Van Morrison; while his smooth silky guitar playing produces a sound that appears to be on the verge of going out of tune; yet strangely, not only does it stay in tune but it creates a very pleasant ringing sensation in your ears, which in turn causes you to experience a warm relaxing glow on the inside.

As the concert progresses it becomes apparent that Johnny and the boys are in full command and everybody is happy dancing and singing the night away.

One for the collection! - Brian Harman

Tracklist DVD and Audio CD:

• Watcha Wanna Do (DVD Only)
• You Got To Change
• Feels So Good
• Got To Be Careful
• Shake It
• Oh Please Come Back
• My Turn To Win
• How Much Longer
• Lucky Man
• Don’t Lose Your Good Thing
• Give It To Me
• It’s All In The Game (CD Only) Lucy

DVD Extra’s:

• Interview with Johnny (7 minutes)

REGION 1 - USA