Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

When I received “The Good Girl Blues” by “The Soul of John Black” from Yellow Dog Records, I had a CD on my player. I used my time reading the liner notes and checking them out on Electric Blues and All Music. There was nothing. The inside jacket listed one DJ Phizz Ed as playing turntables…strike one. Another noted “all lead vocals, all guitars and drums along with all songs written by John A. Bigham, AKA J.B., John Black, Black John…strike two. Nobody needs four different names!

Only half listening after the CD started, a smile came to me. This guy reminded me of “Blind Willie Johnson,” whom I love…Blues over easy with a side of gospel. Like Willie, he had something to say but was in no hurry…take your time and get the message across. “Down in the Hole” starts and finishes, (the short version), the CD. It reminded me of Blind Willie’s, “John the Revelator.”

J.B. is definitely a player. He does slide, acoustic and electric all with skill and emotion. He has great vocals and range. “One Hit” is way too close to “One Toke over the Line,” in sound except that the drug of choice has changed. I love the dark humor in the lyrics…. ‘Well, I was drivin’ down Santa Monica Way get a little late night snack, pulled up on McKaven Aveune in front of the burrito shack. I got the #1 with rice and beans and hot salsa to make it right. I looked over my shoulder. She was off in the corner makin’ love to a transvestite. One hit too many, my Lord, landed by the side of the road, landed in a pool of her own drool. She ain’t nothing but a heavy load.’

This CD must be taken as a whole. The sound is as old as Blues, itself, but manages to come across as fresh and clean. The mood shifts but never too far…at times, dark but they leave the nightlight on for you.

-- Jim Weber