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 | King Johnson - Luck So Strange
Produced by King Johnson Recorded and Mixed by Bruce Bennett Recorded at Exocet Studios, Atlanta, GA. Reviewer -Bill Clifford |
| Begin with equal parts King (B.B., Albert, and Freddie) and Johnson (Robert, Luther, and Blind Willie). Combine two parts Tinsley Ellis, one part Medeski Martin & Wood, with just a dash of New Orleans style funk. Shake vigorously. The resulting concoction is the junior release from Atlanta's King Johnson, Luck So Strange. This supergroup has developed their reputation the hard way - they've earned it. Formed in 1994 when guitarist/vocalist Oliver Wood (who was playing with Tinsley Ellis at the time) met up with bassist Chris Long, who has written for Ellis as well. The band, which at the time included drummer Greg Baba, quickly released its debut Cats and Dogs in 1995, and followed that up in 1998 with an eponymous effort. Between that CD and the recently released Luck So Strange, the band picked-up a horn section with the addition of Adam Mewherter on trombone and tuba, and Marcus James on saxophone and clarinet. These additions gave the band an avenue on which to expand it's jam-based blues music. While the roots of this band's sound is in the blues, they have more in common with The Funky Meters and Little Feat, as well as Jazz impresario Col. Bruce Hampton (who turns in a soulful, improvised guest vocal on the rhythmic and funky “Ralph”). James and Mewherter shine magnificently on the same cut. While there really is no effort to disguise the band's roots, the strongest song is the album opener, “Mountain,” which demonstrates tight, soulful, and radio-friendly songwriting skills. Tom Waits comes to mind while listening to the first minute of “Dead Dog” - that is until the NRBQ influences seep in. Wood gets melodic on “Luckiest Man,” with vocals eerily reminiscent of Lowell George-era Feat. Mewherter brings the slide trombone front and center for the rhythmic and percussive “Another 2nd Chance.” Lyrics are the weakest link here; this is, after all, a blues based rock band. Troubles with women, as well as getting over past relationships, saturate this release. But several tunes are instrumentals, demonstrating the artistic tightness this five-piece has developed playing live shows over the years. And, nonetheless, all thirteen cuts have the potential to burn holes in your Converse Chuck Taylors. The groovy, horn and guitar laden “Hay Yea” opens the door for an extended funky jam-a-thon of live playing, while “Aint Next To You” might be the theme song for the whole recording. With the release of this CD, King Johnson's luck may not be so strange for much longer. All together, Luck So Strange is a solid, funky and soulful recording from a band on the verge of success. Touring relentlessly up and down the east coast and southern circuit in support of the CD, the band is bringing their boogie woogie sound to a much larger, and eager audience. |