Just watched the latest episode of "Banshee" on Cinemax. The main characters were in a bar in the French Quarter. Got to hear most of two nasty blues songs with several shots of him playing.
When I saw Johnny at Hill Country Harmonica he had huge influence on me. Not because of his skills but because of his soul. Johnny feels it like no other.
I always think he is going to have a heart attack. He turns bright red. One heck of an intertainer. Were you at HCH when he made up Corn Wiskey, and later recorded it. New Orleans has it benefits. And some a little scary . ----------
Harvey / Kingo / Dude....I found him to be a riot....He hung out with the folks even when he wasn't playing. He has been here in Syracuse a couple times to play at the Blues Fest. I asked him if he could play "Corn Whiskey" and he obliged .....just cost me a drink at the after Fest Hotel party !! ----------
Procrastinator Emeritus
Last Edited by pharpo on Mar 05, 2015 8:43 AM
Johnny is an animal of a player, and I always feel like he's a bit under appreciated. You never see him listed as a top guy, but I definitely feel that he is. ---------- --Nathan Heck Lead Technician, Lone Wolf Blues Co. customerservice@lonewolfblues.com
I think of Johnny as a top player, but under appreciated in terms of recognition as a top player and in terms of being a big time touring harp player. It is certainly not for lack of talent. But I do wonder why he hasn't done more touring. Obviously touring is super expensive and doesn't pay squat, so it might be that.
If I had my wish, Johnny would make a live album with perhaps 5 cuts of it and he would just stretch his solos out.
What I do consider is that Johnny is the leading harp player in New Orleans and EVERYONE comes through New Orleans sooner or later, so he definitely influences lots of people. I lived in New Orleans when I was 21 and went to see Johnny at least twice a week. We discussed lessons, but it never happened. He would let me sit in often and once had me and Tab Benoit play out the night. He just sat down and gave it to us.
In any case, he is a big influence of mine, mostly in the belief that humans have an endless well of creativity. I try and trust that in my own playing and dig deep when I play.
I'll never forget when I first saw him at HCH. I was standing right at the back of the pavilion when he first walked in, looking exhausted and disheveled, hair all crazy, like he had been on a bender for a week (but really because of the long drive to come up there). I was like "who in the hell is this guy?" He was so laid back, he just exuded cool. I just knew he was a bluesman. When he got up on stage last night, his chromatic playing just blew everyone there away. I remember looking around and everyone was just amazed at what they were hearing. It was a big thrill and something I'll always remember.
