D. Johnson
Doney Blues

Self-released
Run Time: 40:45

If you want a pure, traditionalist’s traditionalist; D. Johnson is it. This guy is a student and he’s very well educated in the blues tradition of the 1930’s Pre-War acoustic blues. Every little nuance you’d expect; from the recording process to the guitar work to the vocals are all present in his release Doney Blues.

Sporting covers from the pillars of the era Robert Johnson and Son House as well as a rare Lightnin’ Hopkins cover, Johnson shows us in these modern times just how it was done and how it should be done to call up the masters. The oft-covered Johnson tuens of “Crossroads” and “Kind Hearted Woman” don’t sound tired or over-abused or watered down. The only thing holding it back is probably accessibility. Those who don’t appreciate this style of blues probably won’t like the record, but that’s alright. Johnson is uncompromising, too. He refuses to veer left or veer away from his influences. His no-water added approach to these timeless songs is refreshing and amazing to hear from a guy as far removed from the Delta as possible. He’s from California!

Johnson’s true fire burns when he rips into Son House’s catalog, sporting House’s whiskey-drenched vocal rage in songs like the oft-covered “Death Letter” and “Pony Blues,” with the latter taking you on the gallop of the horse in rhythm.

Johnson doesn’t water anything down. All the tracks are recorded live with little to no accompaniment but the hard wood floor he stomps on for the beat. The accompaniment is texture for the most part. On songs like R.J’s “They’re Red Hot” and the D. Johnson penned (one of only two self-written works on the CD, the other being “Doney Blues”) “That’s Not Right” the trombone adds the vaudevillian side of the blues that most refuse to or can’t replicate anymore.

If you’re looking for something to spin you off in a new direction, don’t come here. D. Johnson is going to take you back and show you how it used to be done and in some circles, how it still should be done. If you’re a lover of the masters, here’s a take on them from today’s modern times. It shows just why and how the artists from yesterday are still reticent in song today, and how when someone catches the blues bug that it gets infectious and never lets you go. Just ask D. Johnson. I’m sure he’ll show and tell you.

Ben Cox is a Blues Songwriter, Musician, DJ and Journalist.