I was fortunate to see Johnny live in Cambridge, MA, in 1988. He was blind and needed to be led onstage, and looked extremely weak. He seemed unaware of his surroundings, vaguely disoriented. He was seated on a stool, and a guitar was placed in his hands. And then he opened his mouth and turned time back 50 years. He sounded just like the Johnny Shines on his earlier recordings. It was truly beautiful and breathtaking. I feel truly fortunate to have been there and to feel the shivers he gave all of us.
Oh man....that's the kind of night we never forget. those J.O.B. sides have such expressive vocal performances -- can't believe he was singing that way 40 some years later. Wow. thanks for sharing that!
yes that's a great one too. (I think he did 2 w/ Bromberg?) and there's a record with liner notes from the great Peter Guaralnick as well...can't remember the name of it now (apologies...)
I was fortunate to see Johnny live in Cambridge, MA, in 1988. He was blind and needed to be led onstage, and looked extremely weak. He seemed unaware of his surroundings, vaguely disoriented. He was seated on a stool, and a guitar was placed in his hands. And then he opened his mouth and turned time back 50 years. He sounded just like the Johnny Shines on his earlier recordings. It was truly beautiful and breathtaking. I feel truly fortunate to have been there and to feel the shivers he gave all of us.
Oh man....that's the kind of night we never forget. those J.O.B. sides have such expressive vocal performances -- can't believe he was singing that way 40 some years later. Wow. thanks for sharing that!
Everything I know about Johnny Shines is from the music and liner notes of this wonderful LP he made in 1974 with David Bromberg. I can't remember why my mom bought it, but I'm glad she did! https://www.discogs.com/release/3314788-Johnny-Shines-Johnny-Shines-Co
yes that's a great one too. (I think he did 2 w/ Bromberg?) and there's a record with liner notes from the great Peter Guaralnick as well...can't remember the name of it now (apologies...)