Lonnie Johnson (With Elmer Snowden) - Blues & Ballads (Prestige Bluesville 1960)

Il blues al vertice.
Lonnie Johnson suona blues dal 1917 e anche da prima. Da solo, con il fratello (unico superstite della famiglia decimata dal raffreddore) e con tanti grandi. Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith e Duke Ellington solo per citarne tre.
La sua carriera prende quota nel biennio 20-30, poi gradualmente svanisce, e Lonnie ritorna al lavoro operaio per i bianchi americani.

Alla fine degli anni 50 grazie al rinnovato interesse per il blues scaturito dal nuovo movimento folk (musiconthecable ne ha parlato QUI) Lonnie ritorna in pista.
Blues and Ballads è uno struggente atto d' amore di Lonnie al blues.
Nell' opera lo aiutano Elmer Snowden alla chitarra acustica e Wendell Marshall al contrabbasso. La registrazione è perfetta, in studio, nel 1960 e, senza il sostegno della batteria, Lonnie canta con voce poetica e dispensa note-gioiello alla chitarra elettrica.


Nell' arida terra, Tra le perfidie, Sotto il letto, E Per le strade, In braccio alla luna, Ai tuoi giorni...Regala il blues
Mentre scappi, Rincorso dai cani dell' inferno, E nella gioia, E quando ami, Ai tuoi giorni...Regala il blues

HAUNTED HOUSE
Yes, my house is gettin’ haunted, Blue Ghost is all around.
Yes, my house is gettin’ haunted, Blue Ghost is all around.
I feel cold arms around me, my blues is easin’ down.

I been in this haunted house, for six long months today.
I been in this haunted house, for six long months today.
The Blue Ghost is got my house surrounded, yes and I can’t get away.

Black cat and a owl, comes to keep my company.
Black cat and a owl, comes to keep my company.
They understands my sorrows, and they sympathize with me.
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com

Yeah! [spoken words – Lonnie Johnson]

I feel cold arms around me, and ice lips upon my cheeks.
I feel cold arms around me, and ice lips upon my cheeks.
And so many lonely nights and cold nights, I can here my dead lover plainly speak.

She says, “I’m dead and gone, but I’ll always be by your side.
Yes, I’m dead and gone, but I’ll always be by your side.
I will haunt the woman who dares, if she don’t treat you right.”



I FOUND A DREAM
I found a dream, and it really came true.
I found a dream, when I found you.

My love for you, it couldn't be wrong.
My heart cries for you, and for you alone.

I lie awake, waiting for day to break,
Just hoping you would come along.
Said to myself, I say to myself,
That true love can't be wrong.

I found a dream, and it really came true.
I found happiness, when I fell in love with you.

I lie awake, waiting for day to break,
Just hoping you would come along.
And I said to myself, yes, I said to myself,
That true love can't be wrong.

I found a dream, and it really came true.
I found happiness, when I fell in love with you.

Credits:

Lonnie Johnson (electric guitar, vocals)
Elmer Snowden (guitar)
Wendell Marshall (bass)

Haunted House
Memories Of You
Blues For Chris
I Found A Dream
St. Louis Blues
I'll Get Along Somehow
Savoy Blues
Back Water Blues
Elmer's Blues
Jelly Roll Baker