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"Ramblin' From Coast to Coast" - Johnny Burgin 2024 - Listening Party - Thursday , April 18 - Bandcamp

 

        Had the opportunity to get an invite to the Bandcamp listening party for the brand new Johnny Burgin release , "Ramblin' From Coast to Coast" , which is being issued by the Danish "Straight Shooter" label .  For those familiar with this world-travelin' blues journeyman, an international label picking him up doesn't seem out of place . Afterall , Johnny has worked closely with - and mentored - musicians from around the world like Mumbai-born Bollywood harp player Aki Kumar (check out his "Bollywood Blues" album) ; Spanish harmonica master Quique Gomez ; Prakash Slim , an amazing country blues player from Nepal now residing in the United States ( check out "8000 Miles To The Crossroads" and  "Country blues from Nepal" released by Prakash) ; and those extraordinary and astonishing Japanese players who appeared on Johnny's "No Border Blues" - "Japan" release - Guitarist Nacomo Tanaka ; Kaz Nogro,Iper Onishi , Tetsuya Kotez , harp players ; Vocalist Kanehira ; Fumiko Maejima , drummer ; Mizuno , guitarist ; Takigaman , drummer ; just to name a few on a very long list of exceptional Japanese blues players . As Johnny himself puts it," I just want to collaborate with people I admire and who come at it from different angles than I do."

          "Ramblin From Coast to Coast" - Like Charlie Musselwhite has said of Johnny Burgin , there must have been a deal done down at the "Crossroads" because Johnny has never played better , or sang with such confidence , as he does on this latest release . There are 11 original songs , blues from the road , cut in Cincinnati , Rochester , New York , Memphis , Tennessee and Dallas,Texas . Every track reflects that particular place , stories borne from a life on the road , Johnny oftentimes traveling alone with just his guitar in hand . Like the iconic blues man traveling along the dusty highways and byways , Johnny discovers novel and fruitful collaborations,performing on stages large and small , ducking into a nearby recording studio when time allows , hoping to capture that magic, recording as quickly as possible . "I recorded all around the country with young musicians.It's encouraging to see all of the talent that's coming up in the world..."

          In the collaborations Johnny was able to challenge himself and push himself , both vocally , and instrumentally . He worked with younger musicians like Ben Levin - "....He's a really good musician . Musicians like Ben are less afraid of not getting it right the first time . They are there for the experience and getting better with each collaboration . He inspired me." The tracks are fresh , exciting , and enthusiastically performed , making this a lively album that is filled with surprises . Johnny expresses many different sides of himself on this album , exploring more , and diving deep , soaring to new heights with a greater range of moods and emotions . His singing has never been better and his fret work is wide-ranging , expressing years of experience , chords and riffs reflecting his travels and the people around him , an innovative musician with plenty to say.

           Johnny's top-notch collaborators fill "Ramblin' From Coast to Coast" with a wealth of musical talent .Their enthusiasm and energy push the music forward, every artist an important part of the whole , outstanding contributions from coast to coast :Hanna PK , pianist and soulful vocalist; John Blues Boyd , vocals ; Danny Banks,drums; Dr. Christian Dozzler , piano ; Reo Casey , drums;Chris Matheos, bass ; Rae Gordon , vocals ; Jon Hay , bass ; Jad Tariq , guitar ; Ben Levin, piano ; Shorty Starr , drums ; David Plouffe, drums ; Barry Seelen , organ ; Marina Crouse and Jill Dineen on background vocals ; Mike Morgan,bass; and "Vacation from the Blues" with lyrics by Eddie Boyd .  Johnny Burgin - guitar and harmonica.

           Johnny Burgins latest release is , simply , one of his best to date . I thoroughly enjoyed the listening party , and was thrilled by every track played this evening .  Filled with great passion , new and different performances powering up each song , "Ramblin' From Coast to Coast" is a trip worth taking . This is the perfect showcase  for a remarkable artist whose growth as a singer and guitarist continues to thrill music fans worldwide .

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