Johnnie B. Bad

Johnnie B. Bad is an album by the American pianist Johnnie Johnson, released in 1991.[2][3] The album was part of Elektra Records' American Explorer series, which was dedicated to traditional American musical styles.[4] Johnnie B. Bad was nominated for a Grammy Award, in the "Best Traditional Blues Album" category.[5]

Johnnie B. Bad
Studio album by
Johnnie Johnson
Released1991
GenreRock and roll, R&B, blues
LabelElektra Records/Nonesuch Records[1]
ProducerTerry Adams, Keith Richards
Johnnie Johnson chronology
Rockin' Eighty-Eights
(1990)		 Johnnie B. Bad
(1991)		 That'll Work
(1993)

Production

Bernie Worrell, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton were among the many admiring musicians who played on the album.[6][7] The majority of the album was produced by Terry Adams; Richards produced two of the album's tracks.[8] "Stepped in What!?" and "Tanqueray" marked the first time that Johnson had sung on record.[9]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
Robert Christgau(dud)[11]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[12]
Los Angeles Times[13]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide[9]
Orlando Sentinel[7]
Vancouver Sun[14]

The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "Johnson isn't an outstanding singer, but his earthy, relaxed voice suits his playing, and his rich storyteller's voice is delightful on the talking blues 'Stepped in What!?'"[7] Billboard called the album "a funky delight," writing that Johnson is "a soulful master of the 88s."[1]

The Los Angeles Times opined that "from blues dirges to rollicking New Orleans R&B, Johnson's ivory tickling remains as lively as it was four decades ago."[13] The Philadelphia Inquirer stated that Johnson's "jolly piano makes serious connections between the blues, New Orleans R&B, Oscar Peterson flourishes and boogie-woogie."[15] The Austin American-Statesman thought that Johnnie B. Bad "suffers slightly from the sideman syndrome."[16]

AllMusic wrote that Johnson "lays down bluesy licks and laconic vocals that mark him as both a master of the blues and a father of rock & roll."[10]

Track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Tanqueray"4:51
2."Hush Oh Hush"3:19
3."Johnnie B. Bad"2:32
4."Creek Mud"5:24
5."Fault Line Tremor"3:40
6."Stepped in What!?"4:08
7."Can You Stand It"2:42
8."Key to the Highway"3:19
9."Blues #572"3:28
10."Baby What's Wrong"3:35
11."Cow Cow Blues"3:12
12."Movin' Out"3:51

References
  1. "New & Noteworthy -- Johnnie B. Bad by Johnnie Johnson". Billboard. 103 (29): 77. Jul 20, 1991.
  2. "Johnnie Johnson | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  3. Ratliff, Ben (April 14, 2005). "Johnnie Johnson, 80, Dies; Inspired 'Johnny B. Goode'" – via NYTimes.com.
  4. "The American Explorer Series". USA Today. 19 July 1991. p. 1D.
  5. Considine, J.D. (9 Jan 1992). "R.E.M., Grant Tops Grammy Nominees". The Baltimore Sun. p. 1C.
  6. "Johnnie B. Bad Is Finally Out of the Shadows". Los Angeles Times. January 25, 1992.
  7. "ELEKTRA NONESUCH AMERICAN EXPLORER SERIES". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  8. Schoemer, Karen (August 2, 1991). "POP/JAZZ; A Diffident Rock Stylist Who's Just Starting at 67" – via NYTimes.com.
  9. MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 307.
  10. "Johnnie B. Bad - Johnnie Johnson | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  11. "Robert Christgau: CG: Johnnie Johnson". www.robertchristgau.com.
  12. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 4. MUZE. p. 655.
  13. Lewis, Randy (5 Jan 1992). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. Calendar. p. 57.
  14. Mackie, John (14 Sep 1991). "Pop/Rock: America's roots gain a toehold". Vancouver Sun. p. D23.
  15. Moon, Tom (14 July 1991). "ALBUMS TRUE TO THE ROOTS OF ROCK". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. I1.
  16. McLeese, Don (18 July 1991). "Home across the range // American Explorer series finds best of U.S. regional music". Austin American-Statesman. p. 19.
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