Now with Liquid Blues, the man defies any musical categorization by blending every popular genre into one instrumental gem after another.
Some styles you
will find more prevalent than others, hence you have descriptive titles like
“Liquid Blues” and “Albion Blues”, whose main focal point is its namesake, but
with a more of an instro twist, using bits and pieces of every genre and
sub-genre to make it a full menu of instrumental delights. And oh, so
delightful it is.
PJ
has his foot on the pedal, and he gives it plenty of gas on every track on this
fantastic CD. He has it all covered on tracks 1-14, and each one is a standout
musical statement. With a rich history of creativity behind him, he expertly
records an all-inclusive, non-stop trip around the musical map. While
tremendous technical ability is an asset, one cannot overstate the importance
of the experience and knowledge that an artist acquires over the years.
Regarding his favorite weapon, the versatile six-string… PJ has a resume to be
reckoned with.
Once
again (as on Surf Unplugged), PJ covers “California Dreamin’” only this
time he plugs it in. For me, hearing this song is a divine musical transport. I recall it from when I was a little boy, and I knew it was special back then. It still
holds a particular attraction and power over me, coaxing chills up and down my spine.
Paul
Johnson is heaven-sent, and his music is delivered straight from heaven via his
heart and communicated through his hands. This CD is a masterwork of guitar
genius. This is what music is all about; it’s supposed to make you feel every
possible emotion, sight, and sound that we know as sentient beings on this
planet.
If
you have an unquenchable appetite for instrumental music like I do, you will Love
this CD.
Keith
"MuzikMan" Hannaleck
March
17, 2001
Artist
Commentary:
I
asked Paul why he titled the album Liquid Blues. This is what he had to
say:
Partly,
it depends on how you define "blues." No, this ain't a hardcore blues collection (though I
think "Albion Blues" might qualify in that dept.) But most of the
music is "blues-based" in its structure (this is
true
for a lot of music) in that it's derived from forms rooted in the blues idiom.
But
more to the point, it evolved as an album title after I came up with that name
for the title tune. After I created that piece, I wanted to name it "liquid" something,
because of its fluid nature. And even though it isn't "down and dirty," it is
very much a blues-structured tune. Hence - "Liquid Blues." And since everyone
seemed to like the ring of that, it went into high contention for an album title.
Tracks:
01. Andele
02. California Dreamin’
03. Greenroom
04. Uptown Strut
05. Spiro
06. Java Jump
07. Desert Madness (tango)
08. Coney Island Fever
09. Big Shot
10. Tsunami
11. Liquid Blues
12. Albion Blues
13. The Ring Of Truth
14. Perseverance
