Johnny A. - Sometime Tuesday Morning
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Free Music Notes for Sometime Tuesday Morning
Free Music Review: "An auspicious debut-Johnny A. has arrived!"
Hit: 5 Stars
After many years as a sideman, Johnny A. struck out on his own. The guitar style he'd been developing since the late 1960's, came together in this, his first cd.
"Sometime Tuesday Morning" opens the album with a moody, yet melodic feel, and extensive use of the vibrato bar. The solo section features an over-driven sound and judicious use of a wah-wah pedal. An ascending chord run leads to a smooth minor/major 7th finish.
"Oh Yeah" is a classic shuffle that is a real toe tapper, and despite what your ears tell you, only one lead guitar playing. A classic bluesy shuffle set the groove for Johnny's "call & response" melody. As the song progresses, the solo sections are a crunchy blues/rock tone, followed by a fully saturated rock section. One of Johnny's best.
Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman" is a haunting ballad arrangement by Johnny, featuring lots of gorgeous chord-melody.
"Two Wheel Horse" is Johnny's ode to motorcycles. A blues/rock stomp that alternates from clean to crunchy throughout, and goes all-out at the end.
"In the Wind" has the sort of Brazilian salsa groove you'd normally find on a Lee Ritenour album, but Johnny once again proves he's up to any challenge. A highlight.
"Yes It Is" is a rare Beatles B-side that Johnny makes his own, by his extensive use of hybrid-style picking and chord melody. Sweet.
"Up in the Attic" is the cd's finest moment, as all Johnny's influences in jazz and country come into play here. A jazz figure in the style of Hank Garland or Howard Roberts opens the piece, and country licks varying from Chet Atkins to Albert Lee run the length of this pot-boiler. Johnny puts on a clinic in country jazz.
"Walk, Don't Run" is given a tango style treatment, much different from the versions most people have heard.
"Tex Critter" is Chet Atkins, Les Paul & James Burton all wrapped up in a neat package.
"Lullaby For Nicole" has a sort of "film noir" quality about it, as though you were walking down an unlit city street in an old black and white detective movie.
"Walkin on West Avenue" finishes the cd with another dance groove.
Johnny A. Came out swinging on his first cd, and hit a home run. 5 stars.
Free Music Review: New and Exciting
Hit: 5 Stars
Rare is it to find an artist that defies all the comparisons and genre typecasting, but Johnny A. does just that with his release "Sometime Tuesday Morning". It is obvious that Johnny A. has an eclectic taste of music, as this album samples across the boards. He plays what he wants to play. His style is slow and soulful, without wasting notes. And his sound! Nothing sounds a sweet as a clean guitar. Johnny A. doesn't hide behind a wall of distortion, delays or massive overdrives. When he does use effects to crunch it up a bit, it is with style and taste that compliments the music. The thing that disappoints me the most about this album is the fact that it took me so long to discover it. Thanks to my local radio stations "Studio C" program of bringing touring musicians in and recording live cuts, I first heard "Oh Yeah" live (and if you think that the album version is great, try finding this live version). After hearing that, I had to have this album. The only other disappointment is the fact that it's so short, just over 48 minutes of music, but you'll enjoy all of it.
This album is full of gems, and you won't be skipping over any tracks. Each song has a slightly different flavor. From the soulful and slow "Wichita Lineman" to the more upbeat "Up In the Attic" Johnny A. knows exactly how to play to stir emotions and feeling. His cover of "Walk Don't Run" is a slowed down swing version of the original surf tune that shows how he can take a song and make it his own. Johnny A. doesn't fill his solos with notes, but says more in between the notes, and although he can play fast, he prefers to keep it slow giving his notes more power.
If you love guitar, swing, jazz, country, or just plain old rock, then look no further than this excellent album. Johnny A. is a master of guitar and tone, and proves it to us all on this well-done album.
Free Music Review: Johnny A. has done the impossible
Hit: 5 Stars
Namely, delivered a CD with guitar playing that is so fresh, so technically adept, and so moving that I was left slack-jawed in awe and beaming in delight. If this were an LP, I would play it so much the grooves would be white from wear.Johnny's playing is incredibly efficient -- he never fills or distorts to be showy -- each riff, modulation, or effect is used for a welcome musical communication. Don't think that is a product of an inability to smoke the strings, he can and will do that when the music calls for it. And, when he does, you are left shaking your head thinking 'Did I just hear him play that?'
The musical styles on this CD defy classification, but you will definitely find hints of blues, rock, funk, rockabilly, country and jazz. Rather than make one track follow one style, Johnny masterfully blends styles on a single track to form his own, unique form of guitar expression. The comparisons to Danny Gatton are inevitable, but, I think, off-base. Johnny chooses to play with far less gain, allowing you to experience the subtle tricks he plays with the strings. He has a way of making a truly impossible-to-play riff sound effortless (more like Freddie King in that regard). Bottom line is that any comparison will be fun to make for the sake of discussion, but will be off the mark. This guy is a unique talent.
As far as tone goes, guitar fans will love this disc. If you think that Les Paul himself doesn't have a copy of this CD, you'd probably be wrong. The sound of the humbuckers through that Marshall is pure, throaty and fluid.
I enjoy listening to every track on this CD, and have listened to it over and over again.
Free Music Review: GUITAR PLAYER EXTRAORDINAIRE!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a great debut instrumental album by Johhny A, who heavy metal artist Steve Vai thought enough of to put him on his own Favored Nations record label. But don't mistake this for heavy metal, it's far from it. It's a cool mix of different styles including rock, r&b, jazz, country, and everything in between. He plays with a beautiful tone that I haven't heard played this good since the days of Danny Gatton. I noticed he's being compared alot to Gatton, and after hearing this cd, I think they may not be far off. He definitly plays with his style on songs like "Two Wheel Horse" and "Up In The Attic", where he shows he's capable of playing with some great speed and controlled fury. But as much as I like this Gatton-like stuff, it's the slower, jazzier type material where I think he really comes into his own and shines. The opener "Sometime Tuesday Morning", is a very catchy tune with a mid-tempo jazz feel to it. But the one that really gets to me here is "Wichita Lineman". This is a very melodic version that has such a beautiful, expansive tone to it that you can just lay back and feel this music travel over the telephone lines and way beyond the lonely horizon. Needless to say, I loved this cd. The music he presents here varies so much, and he uses so many different styles and tones, that sometimes I wonder if it's the same guitar player playing all these songs. In my opinion, that's the mark of a true master. I can't wait to hear what he comes with next, because this guy is definitly going places.Free Music Review: Johnny A. Live @ Gibson Custom Shop
Hit: 5 Stars
This guy just blew me away during his live performance at the Gibson Custom Shop party in Nashville during NAMM. I am telling you this was a jaded crowd of musical pro's, who have seen & know everbody so one tough crowd. Forget the sweltering heat and bugs Johnny A. just smoked winning us over. This guy sat on a stool with DI via Marshall head playing only to his monitor with a BEAUTIFUL new Johnny A. signature Gibson Custom Shop guitar and rolled meticulously through virtually every guitar style of the last 50 years. Johnny's ebb and flow, feel and touch bring you gently all the way in and then erupt in powerful emotional solo's I haven't heard in years-And I was stone cold sober! About 20 guys, me include, looked over at his pedal board searching for some magic box to account for his golden tone but came up empty when they were all standard looking pedals. How about it was maybe in his hands? Yeah-Correct.
I ran to my computer to buy this record. Johnny A. is the future of instumental performances that work and "Sometime Tuesday Morning" is brillant. Nothing boring, self indulgent or too notey here and this from a guy who loved the Lee Roy Parnell and Ted Nugent performances that followed. My teenage kids even like this guy! If thats not an endorsement to buy this record and have a little family time without parental warnings I don't know what is in these days of uneven releases.
I need to buy his signature guitar maybe I'll sound like Johnny!!
(Nah, I forgot-I play bass)
Brent
Nashville