2024 – Straight Shooter
Records
By Phillip
Smith; July 20,
2024
Original source : phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com
Johnny Burgin continues to produce blues music in its purest form
with his latest album Ramblin’ From Coast to Coast. Nominated for a Blues
Music Award in 2023 for Traditional Blues Male Artist, Burgin’s guitar
performances share top-billing with his song writing, elevating him to a level
of high-regard. Recorded in assorted studios across the nation in Dallas,
Cincinnati, Memphis, and Rochester, New York, then mixed
at Greaseland Studios in San Jose, California by Kid Andersen,
the album’s title Ramblin’ From Coast to Coast rightly fits. The record features
a dozen solid-as-hell blues tracks and brings to the table as many special
guests including John Blues Boyd, Rae Gordon, Ben Levin, Hanna
PK, Jad Tariq, Jon Hay, and Dylan Bishop.
Burgin ignites the album with title-track “Ramblin’ From
Coast to Coast”. This cookin’ track includes Tariq on guitar and is backed
by a rocking rhythm section featuring drummer Danny Banks, bassist Jon
Hay, and pianist Christian Dozzler. Following immediately afterward
is “Getting’ My Blues On”. I absolutely adore this. Burgin takes the
song to the moon and back with his cosmic, note-bending delivery and soulful
vocals. The backing vocals from Lisa Leuschner Andersen, Marina
Crouse, and Jill Dineen are the icing on the cake and construct a
sort of Hendrix-meets-Motown vibe. The flow continues strong with
the classic Chicago Blues sound of “I Need Something Sweet”. Burgin’s lyrical
mastery sets this up to be a timeless classic. The extremely talented Hanna
PK accompanies Burgin on “Fresno Woman”. With Burgin breaking
out the slide, I love hearing them trading guitar and piano licks back and forth.
It sounds great. A juicy blast of harp from Burgin launches “I’m Playing
Straight” as Little Village recording artist John Blues Boyd lends
his suave vocals. The converging sound of guitars, piano, and harmonica creates
a Mississippi juke joint experience for the listener. In a classic blues
fashion, Burgin’s message to listen to one’s gut and refrain from second-guessing
is the subject of “I Was Right the First Time”.
Accompanied by Levin on piano, this song swings with finesse.
Ramblin’ From Coast To
Coast is a high-caliber traditional
blues album which all blues fans should give a listen to. It’s genuine, and it’s
fantastic.
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For more information about Johnny
Burgin, visit the website at https://johnnyburgin.com
Catch up on previous PhillyCheeze
reviews featuring Johnny Burgin through this link https://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/search?q=johnny+burgin
This album available on Bandcamp
