James "Super Chikan" Johnson is a Delta blues man from Clarksdale, Miss., who - when he was but a young blueslad -- acquired his nickname because he raised, and talked to, chickens. According to his bio. Okay, it may not be the bluesiest nickname around, but it's all his. And if talking to chickens -- chikans -- scrambles your blues, more power to you.
Johnson's uncle is the finely well-known Big Jack "Oilman" Johnson, one of the premier Delta musicians, and "Chikan" Johnson seems to have inherited some of that spirit. He's taken his blues heritage and made it his own, with his shows built with enthusiasm and talent.
Johnson is a wicked guitarist, a fine gritty vocalist, a clever blues word smith, and this all shines through on his latest album "Sum' Mo' Chikan." (Chikan Howse Productions via the fine up-and-coming VizzTone Label Group).
On this CD, he runs through a set of blues that swing with easy toughness, a touch of funky guitar, some cool slide and always, always a sense of joy and enthusiasm that -- even though it contradicts the idea of "blues" -- keeps you scratchin' and peckin' for the real thing.
The whole thing kicks off with "Freddy's Thank," a swinging instrumental, and picks up with tunes like the chicken-licken autobiographical "Crystal Ball Eyes" (..."mama don't cook my rooster..."), the slide-filled "SippinSeekanSaw," the auto-erotic "Love Cruiser" and many more fun-filled blues.
If you've never heard the Chikan, give him a listen. He's a creative guy -- makes his own decorative "chik-can-tars" with hand painted themes. And he makes his own original blues -- he must be thinking outside the coop.
The blues contest
Don't forget it. Get the info here. Win some VIP passes and tickets to the Pittsburgh Blues Festival. And here's a hint for question No. 3: Think "Rocket 88." In a general way.
Why you should never trust computers
A spell-check on this post suggests that Clarksdale be replaced with Clydesdale.
Ana Popovic
Anyone catch her at Moondog's last night? BlueNotes drove back from Philly yesterday and couldn't make the show. But you can post your own reviews if you want.
Two men and the blues
I mentioned the new Willie Nelson - Wynton Marsalis album, "Two Men with the Blues" the other day, and here's a review. Have one of your own?
Posted
Jul 14 2008, 01:00 AM
by
Jim White