Posted by Johnm on June 13, 2007, 3:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Lonnie Johnson" --Previous Message--
24.17.153.223
Hi, Ari!
That is great that you might consider including one of Lonnie's accompaniments of Texas Alexander on the video. "Section Gang Blues" and "Levee Camp Moan" are both sensational, but are so dependent upon having a singer of the caliber of Texas Alexander (not a lot of them around!) that they might not be plausibly coverable. Lonnie's "melody-only" approach on those songs is so original and effective, though, that it is really remarkable. "Bell Cow Blues" might be a particularly interesting candidate, because Lonnie plays in both the melody-only style and his more conventional chordal style, with a particularly nifty solo, and some ideas I've never heard him use elsewhere. "Penitentiary Blues" has some of the same qualities, too, but is perhaps less dynamic and exciting than "Bell Cow Blues". Of course there are very many of the songs in which Lonnie takes an approach that is closer to the one he employed for accompanying himself. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you end up with on the video, as well as the video itself.
On a different topic, I've always thought that Lonnie Johnson played with a flat-pick and fingers. I've seen photos of him that made it look like that was the case, and it would certainly go some way toward explaining his amazing facility in playing single-string runs, as well as his tone production, which was unique. Do you have any opinions on Lonnie Johnson's right-hand technique?
All best,
Johnm
: Hi, John!
:
: I haven't really decided on what slow tunes
: to include, so I'll definitely give the
: Texas Alexander accompaniments another
: listen. I do want to cover some of his
: customary licks, but there may be room for
: more than one slow break and/or
: accompaniment.
:
: Thanks for the suggestion. It may help me
: wade through the piles of slow recordings he
: made!
:
: -- Ari
:
: --Previous Message--
: Hi Ari,
: I was wondering if you had any intention of
: including one of Lonnie Johnson's
: accompaniments of Texas Alexander in the
: Lonnie Johnson video you are preparing. I
: think Lonnie's accompaniments for Alexander
: were really superlative, actually my
: favorites of his blues playing. I think
: something about Alexander's unpredictable
: phrasing kept Lonnie on his toes and
: prevented him from relying so heavily on his
: customary licks. I know it may be beyond
: the purview of what you've had in mind, but
: I was just wondering.
: All best,
: Johnm
:
: --Previous Message--
: Yes, I am working on a Lonnie Johnson video.
: After that, I'll be doing one on Rev. Gary
: Davis's Early Recordings and another on
: Blind Blake (with different songs than are
: on Woody Mann's Blind Blake video). As for
: Charlie Patton, I'm not sure whether I'll be
: doing that or not, but if so, it will
: definitely be after the other three.
: Unfortunately, I'm very slow in getting
: ready for these videos, so I can't say when
: they'll be out.
:
: Thanks for your interest. I'm glad you've
: enjoyed the ones I've done so far.
:
: Ari Eisinger's Home Page
:
: --Previous Message--
: Ari,
: I have enjoyed both your videos and albums,
: and I look forward to whatever you might
: next share with us. Is it true that you
: were/are working on a Lonnie Johnson
: instructional video? Charlie Patton is
: another giant that I would love to see your
: take on.
:
: What is in the works?
:
: Mike
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