JR. JOHNNY
A special Thank You to
all my fans
Response and sales for
"Dancing With The Devil" has been
OVERWHELMING
Due to your outstanding requests,
"Dancing With The Devil" is now
in its second pressing and
supplies are available again.
A special offer:
You can now purchase my CD
"Dancing With The Devil"
at discount.
|
Both CD and novel are available for $25 Check out reviews for this entertaining novel at: www.publishedauthors.net/ jacquelinesilvestri |
 |
|
Dancing With The Devil "JR Johnny – an artist worth a second glance. It’s striking that his notoriety has yet to catch up with his musical ability, which is top-notch. Perhaps we can stir up enough excitement to get him on this side of the Atlantic. The new CD “Dancing With the Devil” is a good start in that direction. Like his other efforts, this one brings honor to theBlues (with a capital B) by remaining close to the Chicago sounds of Muddy and Sonny Boy II. The ambiance is all his own however…like a late-night blues club, at times dark and smoky, and then jumping and swinging, all topped off with accents of jazz. The beating heart of this unique sound is JR’s raspy, deep and powerful voice. More narrator than singer in the strict sense, the vocal phrases are cleverly off-set by the rich and incisive harmonica interjections which are at times explosive and at others ethereal. This cat clearly knows how to blow! Add to this JR’s song- writing (along with bassist Steve Minnich), skills worthy of attention in their own right and a more complete image begins to emerge. Similar to “Drifter” (where we ran across David Litchtiger), this CD is filled with its share of discoveries. On Dancing with the Devil” JR displays a breadth of musical and emotional artistry. This time, his support includes a pair of exceptional guitarists: Peter Corrigan and Russ Aldrich. It is perhaps their concise and pertinent performance as much as the rest that brings this CD to the top of the stack. As for the rhythm section, the new drummer Mike Cairo syncs up beautifully with the rock-solid Mr. Minnich. Add to this the incredible work of Hymer Morgan – just as powerful on piano as B3… where are these guys coming from? Another mystery that may have to wait until JR decides whether or not to grant us an interview. You guessed it, a superb album from a blues master in his own right who finds once again the right elixir to wed originality and tradition. www.jrjohnny.com." Trans, Paul Linden. |
|
Bluesy Bohemian "A second release from JR Johnny to make it across my desk insists on the fact that this is no ordinary Bluesman. Nope, not here – this is the work of a true and great bluesman!!! In part, for his mid-tempo Chicago blues numbers conjuring up a heavy and dust-filled ambiance reminiscent of 50’s gangster films; in part due to his raucus, tobacco-drenched voice – JR is a virtuoso of the down-and-out blues, the man your momma (should have) warned you about. The lyrics are poetry set to song. They tell us of life’s joys and pains all the while ringing true with an undeniable sincerity. JR’s vocals are punctuated by a harmonica style whose virtuosity is in its understatement and concision – he is able to do what other harp players work all night to do in one or two phrases. An apt and judicious conductor, JR lets his accompaniment shine throughout the disc. Consisting of Jesse Cohen (gtr), Steve Minnich (bass) and Mike Locito (drm), this trio is remarkable for their strength and discretion as they periodically unleash Jesse to concoct one of his brief but intense solos. At 6 years old, this CD is holding its own quite well and this writer feels (at the risk of repeating myself) that while great musicianship always helps, it’s the fact that JR is also a veritable bluesman that will make his blues as honest and relevant tomorrow as the moment they were recorded. If I do repeat myself, it’s to get JR Johnny’s name into your head and lead you to discover this wonderful artist. As of this pressing, he has a new CD available on his site, entitled “Noircissim.” See www.jrjohnny.com and www.cdbaby.com for more titles from JR Johnny." Trans, Paul Linden. |
|
Drifters "Definitely the CD of the trimester – a real monument this bluesman! He lives and breathes the blues because he is the blues. The amazing thing is that I have never heard of JR Johnny and I suspect I am not alone. What am I going to do about it? Contact promoters, distributors, radio programmers and disc jockeys, all sorts of merchants… wait a second, that’s a lot of work! At the very least I can tell that Johnny Ruzich, the Bluesy Bohemian, is an extraordinary cat. This is a bluesman of serious import who presents himself through a 6-album collection of recordings under his own name, an ongoing career that stretches from Vietnam to various day jobs to keep food on the table, not to mention illustrious contacts with the likes of Mike Bloomfield, Jimmy Witherspoon and the legendary John Lee Hooker who gave Mr. Ruzich his moniker: “JR.” The sound is based in Chicago Blues, as JR tells it “the first time I saw Muddy Waters, I just freaked out.” Dedicated to the late Rice Miller (Sonny Boy Williamson II) with the glorious track “Sonny Boy,” this CD contains 13 titles that are sung with conviction and depth through a smoky and raspy voice perfectly suited for the blues. A fine harmonica player as well, JR makes it breathe, moan and wail to great effect especially when in tandem with the out-of-this-world guitar riffs laid down (as if by magic) by the unforgettable David Litchtiger. His performance on this record helps elevate the whole affair above the everyday and into the realm of classic blues recordings. It’s a perfect CD, well-balanced and filled with a feast of blues music held in place by an impeccable rhythm section consisting of Stephen Minnich (gtr), Gil Cruz (bass), Clifford McComus (drm). Lyrical in my praise? Perhaps…. Excessive? Never! It’s a masterpiece and I invite you all to discover it. I await your reactions on the Blues’n Co forum. See www.jrjohnny.com and www.cdbaby.com for more titles from JR Johnny." Trans, Paul Linden. |
| "Jr. Johnny does it again with what he calls his best release to date. Vocally, he captures the mood of each of these originals, while his harmonica soars and pierces the blues, then reaches back and cuddles it. For harp lovers all over the world, this should be considered essential listening. Students of the instrument would be well-advised to pay attention to these tracks too. Excellent guitar production also graces this package thanks to the efforts of Peter Corrigan and Russ Aldrich. The rhythm section (featuring Steve Minnich on bass and Mike Cairo on drums) is rock solid and Hymer Morgan is simply incredible at the piano and B-3. It's always good to find original blues that flourish in the present, yet are firmly rooted in the tradition that make the blues enduring and such a truly great American art form." |
|
"Dancing With The Devil’ is singer and harp player Jr. Johnny’s last piece of work.
It includes twelve very personal songs with deep Sonny Boy Williamson influences, all
them performed with the original very special way he has of approaching Sonny Boy songs
and, in general, all blues he plays. In this new album Johnny is backed by Peter Corrigan
on guitar, Russ Aldrich on guitar too. Steve Minnich on bass and solo guitar, Mike Cairo
on drums and Hymer Morgan on keyboards. All together form a compact straight band perfect
to let Jr. Johnny develop his cool bright ideas to produce a repertoire full of honest well
done songs, which simply come from the deepest part of his heart. VERY GOOD"
La Hora Del Blues Radio Barcelona, Spain |
"Dancing With The Devil" Songlist
All Original Songs:
| 1) | Hot, Sweet and Dirty | 7) | Can She Be | |
| 2) | A New Start | 8) | Knocked Me Down | |
| 3) | My Addiction | 9) | Take a Chance | |
| 4) | Dancin' With the Devil | 10) | Let's Go Home | |
| 5) | So Hot | 11) | Bohemians After Dark | |
| 6) | Hot Sauce | 12) | Harpin' On Me |
~ $15 for CD Only - includes shipping and handling ~
Jr. Johnny520 S. Brevard Ave #224
Cocoa Beach, FL. 32931
(321) 392-3517
Email Jr. Johnny Jr. Johnny is endorsed by Hohner Harmonicas
| ||||||||||||||||