Manual Gales, aka Little Jimmy King passed away in 2002. In 1991 he had a wonderful album called Little Jimmy King and The Memphis Soul Survivors. I went to see him that year at a restaurant called Lola's in NYC. The backup was a local band led by Steve Johnson called "Nuts and Bolts". Today they are called The Steve Johnson Band.

"Bluestoons" by Steve Johnson features Steve's guitars and vocals. His voice is like Tom Waits in a power trio, but he has so absorbed the passion and musicianship of the music that he¹s like a glass of Guinness stout. The band is great and if you like, kick ass, give me another "pitcher" biker blues, this one is for you. Cliff McComas plays drums and Mark Pavlica is the bassist.

My favorites include Kim Simmonds "Tell Mama" (Savoy Brown), and when Steve sings his own "(drinkin' and drivin' in my blue) Blue Lincoln" with his terrific slide guitar playing. "Flathead Blues" is another Steve Johnson written tune about a "bike", and here Steve takes a turn on a National Steel. There are four great guitar instrumentals, Sylvester Stewart's "Sex Machine" (Sly and The Family Stone), Eric Johnson's "East West", Steve's own "Endless Blues", and "Rockin' Robin" which the band turns into a funky anthem with great harmonica by Harry Fritz. Other highlights include Delbert McClinton's "Bad Day", and Steve Doerr¹s "Hardluck Blues" (The LeRoi Brothers). Throughout the album the band gets into an infectious groove.

The Steve Johnson Band needs to be heard. They will be appearing Saturday March 19th at The Great Notch Inn, in Little Falls, NJ. Steve says just jump on your bike and ride on over. Please visit his website at stevejohnsonblues.com to purchase his cd or to learn more about Steve.

Richard Ludmerer
Director, The New York Blues & Jazz Society
ricdale2@yahoo.com

(c)2005 Richard Ludmerer