Album Review: Johnny “Guitar” Watson – s/t
When one thinks of the bluesy masters of the electric guitar, the name Johnny “Guitar” Watson is sure to be mentioned.
Watson’s second guitar LP mines a variety of styles; “Posin’” feels a bit like Philly soul, with massed backing vocals and Watson’s blues-shouted lead vocal. But when the master of the Stratocaster launches into to his sinewy guitar solo, it sounds like nobody but him. Even the strings on the track don’t overwhelm the stomping vibe.
This 1963 LP – originally released on King records – features a dozen songs , and they’re pretty much all great. “Cuttin’ In” sounds halfway between a ‘50s slow dance number (again with strings) and very early Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac. Rare was the artist who could stand up to a string section; Watson’s fretwork cuts right through the syrup, and in fact the strings actually make the tracks better than they’d otherwise be.
It takes some chutzpah to add the name of your chosen instrument to your stage name. But Watson more than earned the right, and a dozen pieces of evidence to back up that assertion are on this LP. “You Can’t Take it With You” churns out a slow, loping blues figure – with a noisily dissonant piano chugging along – and some tasty Watson licks. “I Just Wants Me Some Love” features some soulful horns backing the core group. For an album of its era, Johnny “Guitar” Watson is surprisingly varied.
In later years Watson – the original Gangster of Love, thankyouverymuch – would pursue a funk direction, but this debut collection presents him in his fully-formed blues/r&b guise. In crisp monaural sound and pressed on translucent amber heavyweight vinyl, Johnny “Guitar” Watson is a rare treat indeed.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.