Complete 1937 to June 1947 Recordings, Vol. 1: 8 November 1937 to 22 May 1940

AMG Review of Complete 1937 to June 1947 Recordings, Vol. 1: 8 November 1937 to 22 May 1940

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Lonnie Johnson was off records for five years during 1932-1937, working in Cleveland with Putney Dandridge, appearing on the radio, and working outside of music. In 1937, he moved to Chicago, where he returned to full-time music and began recording regularly for the Decca label. Three Document CDs cover his work of 1937-1947. This CD features Johnson as a solo lues performer (showcasing his guitar on instrumental versions of "Swing Out Rhythm" and "Got the Blues for the West End") and singing such numbers as "Flood Water Blues," "Devil's Got the Blues," and "Blue Ghost Blues." Some numbers have Johnson joined by either Roosevelt Sykes or Joshua Altheimer on piano along with a few unknown musicians. Rarely reissued, these performances are consistently excellent.