Jimmy Johnson - 1999 - Every Road Ends Somewhere [256]

Jimmy Johnson is one of Chicago's finest blues musicians, yet he still is relatively unknown outside of the Windy City. Except for a few highly-acclaimed albums on Delmark and Alligator more than a decade ago, his recorded output has been minimal. That's what makes his newest CD, Every Road Ends Somewhere (Ruf), worth its weight in gold. This is a solid release from start to finish, highlighted by Johnson's stinging West Side-style guitar and soulful, almost falsetto, vocals. Most of the cuts are original numbers, and the covers are so different from the originals that you'll recognize them only by the lyrics.

(Full Covers)

LINK

Jimmy Johnson - 1994 - I'm A Jockey [192]

It shouldn't have taken Johnson a full decade to find his way back into a studio, but such are the injustices of the record business. The wait was worth it, though -- backed by his touring trio of the timeframe, Johnson mixes blues and soul, originals (a heartfelt "Black & White Wall" and the soaring ballad "My Ring") and covers (his takes on McKinley Mitchell's "End of a Rainbow" and Wilson Pickett's "Engine Number 9" hit home), in decidedly solid contemporary form.

(Full Covers)

LINK

Jimmy Johnson - 1990 - Livin' The Life [320]

Jimmy Johnson, a Chicago guitarist, born (James Thompson) in Holly Springs, Mississippi to a musically inclined family. Jimmy Johnson, came to Chicago in 1950, started to play professionally in 1959. Played with may famous musicians as a guitarist. Fist recoding in 1978 on the Living Chicago Blues anthologies album, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. The next few albums sent Johnson's career soaring into the number one rank of blues in Chicago. Jimmy Johnson shows outstanding musical qualities, way above the average. Jimmy has a superb guitar style of his own along with a high-pitched singing voice. Jimmy Johnson has toured Europe over the past twenty plus years and has recorded several landmark albums in the modern blues world.

(Full Covers)

LINK