WOW CD from Jr. Johnny and The Usual Suspects

Jr. Johnny’s WOW CD is now available!

WOW CD Reviews

• Jr. Johnny and the Usual Suspects; “WOW”, Bohemian Records – (No 12)
  ‘The photos Jr. Johnny includes in his liner notes this time out present the guy as a veritable studio rat. No doubt that’s true, since WOW is Johnny’s 12th album, released just over a year since the last offering, Red Hot. On WOW, Johnny mixes his forthright, at times a little salacious, originals with a few well-worn blues standards — all soaked with his trademarked Sonny Boy II–style harmonica flair. This time around, Florida’s best kept secret in blues harp adds a new ingredient to his sound. The addition of guest Kenny Clark on Nord C2 combo organ marks a big step forward for the band. Noticibly fatter in texture than past efforts, WOW benefits from Clark’s presence by adding subtle nuances not previously heard from the band.
  “With each album building upon the last, WOW is without a doubt the best yet from these guys. Johnny’s harp is still pivotal to the band’s sound, but the glow of Kenny Clark’s organ can’t be denied. The band would do well to bring Clark back for another round.”
  
  Mark Uricheck, Living Blues Magazine
• “‘WOW’ is the latest work of singer and harmonica player Johnny Jr., where he is backed by The Ususal Suspects, a band which includes Rick Finke on guitars, Stephen Minnich also on guitars, J.T. Burley on bass, Bjarne Kjaer on drums, the amazing Kenny Clark on C2 Nord Combo organ and, of course, JR. Johnny on vocals and harmonica, who also leads as master of ceremonies all the liturgy from the recording studios. The cd includes a careful selection of twelve songs, which take an special significance in the hands of these musicians, who devote themselves to their work with the passion of of those who love and live blues from the deepest part of their heart and soul, spreading their music to anyone who listens thoroughly to this album. Genuine honest blues which flows on a simple way but, at the same time, so real as life itself. VERY GOOD.”
  
  Vicente Zumel, La Hora Del Blues Radio, Barcelona, Spain
• “Junior Johnny blows into town with his ‘WOW’ CD! This is the twelfth album from journeyman blues harmonica player, songwriter and vocalist Junior Johnny. The disc includes twelve soulful original compositions and some of the best examples yet of Johnny’s virtuoso toned blues harp. The Usual Suspects include Kenny Clark on organ this time, and his Nord C2 pumps out an incredibly realistic Hammond B-3 sound. It’s a rockin’ blues set with some jacked-up covers and some very fresh original tunes. The tempos vary nicely too, making this album a pleasurable listen throughout. With satisfying guitar breaks and the extraordinary harp that JJ is known for, this is a winner.”
  DWM Music Company
• I’ve been playing your new cd “WOW” for the last two weeks. The more i play it the more i like it! Good job!
  Dennis H. New York City
• Jr. Johnny’s latest CD! “WOW” Harp driven Blues!!!
  A very lively and energetic collection of new originals and traditional blues favorites performed superbly with Florida’s best, the “Usual Suspects”! Jr’s. harp tone is second to none, unique and fresh, yet calling up all the past blues harp masters. This set will have your feet moving and your ears smiling right on through!
• Jr. Johnny testifies with a world loving voice, that let’s you know he’s been there, done that and much more! Solid players and classic grooves! Jr. johnny is a five star General in the Army of the BLUES!!!
  Big Joe Fitz, WDST, Woodstock, New York
• Attention blues fans; the following critique is in the original French, but will be revised in English if someone can provide a good translation.
  JR. Johnny WOW Autoprod
  
  “L’air de la Floride à l’air de pas mal lui réussir au papy JR., fait dans le prolifique l’ancien, mais du prolifique de même on va pas s’en plaindre. C’est vrai qu’on en causait y’a pas longtemps même qu’il s’était investi les studios King Snakes à Melbourne (Fl) et embauché les gars qu’habitent dans le studio pour un bel objet. Ce coup ci on le retrouve toujours avec ses potes et toujours en compagnie d’un certain Stephen Minnich…..
  
  “Donc retrouve ses potes, les fait venir pour se mettre en boite de bons gros Chicago blues de derrière les fagots, de ceux qu’on aime et qui nous font frissonner le poil, auquel il ne dédaigne pas insuffler un petit coté swampi qui va bien, histoire de faire honneur au coin qui l’accueille.
  
  “Le père JR. Johnny, tout frétillant et heureux comme un pou au milieu de sa brochette de potes, une belle brochette de pointures rompues à l’exercice de l’enregistrement en prise directe, se la fait coolissime, sans pour autant glander et nous offre douze tunes qui pètent la santé, alternance de reprises, certes archi connues comme « Bright Lights Big City » ou « Good morning little school girl » et de compos comme il sait bien s’en torcher, ensemble bien réparti et régalant tout au long de la rondelle.
  
  “Ce qui est bien avec ce gazier c’est qu’il ne fait pas la bête rondelle de tout le monde, non il arrive à te créer une ambiance prenante, envoûtante rien que de sa voix éraillée, quelquefois limite et de ses chorus et riffs d’harmonica, où là, il n’est jamais limite mais ferait plutôt dans le génial, ses potes quant à eux, en vieux briscards à qui on la fait pas assurent un groove puissant du coté de J.T. Burley (contrebasse) et Bjarne Kjaer (batterie) et de somptueux riffs et solos du coté du fabuleux Stephen Minnich (guitare), de l’excellent Rick Fincke (guitare) sans oublier l’invité Kenny Clark et son orgue.
  
  “Une fois de plus, la douzième pour ceux qui comme moi suive pépère, JR Johnny nous sort la grosse régale…. Du classique certes mais avec un je ne sais quoi qui fait que ce n’est et ne sera jamais comme les autres. Par contre coté pochettes fait dans la constance, elles sont presque toujours à chier, mais on s’en fout du papelard…”
  
  Tonton Erick, blues-n-co.org (the French Blues magazine, Blues &Co)