Recently Howard, my neighbor said he had an extra ticket to see Johnny A at the Cafe Wha?
"Sure", I said, even though it was St Patrick's Day, an occasion I usually avoid, as I don't enjoy drunk crowds.
I'd never heard of Johnny A, but a YouTube video sold me. Johnny played somewhere between jazz, blues, and rock. Not too flashy, but with great tone, and taste. From Boston, he's had a long career, mostly as a sideman, playing for the likes of Peter Wolf, and in The Yardbirds (2015-18). He's well regarded enough to have his own Gibson Signature model guitar.
I didn't know it was a solo show until we took our seats. I had no idea what I was in for. Solo performances by artists you don't know can be iffy, especially if your attention span is as short as mine.
It was an early show on St Patrick's Day, and the audience not particularly attentive, which visibly annoyed Johnny from the start. He scolded/shamed a table of loud, dangerously drunk middle-aged women more than once. It seemed not everyone was there to see him or even music. Howard and I did our best, vigorously applauding, hooting and hollering when appropriate.
He masterfully accompanied his solo guitar with loops and effects so tastefully it didn't come off as a gimmick, but a true expansion of his instrument. His set consisted of covers, mostly '60's classics, cleverly arranged into medleys. He settled in and found his groove absolutely holding my attention.
He finished with this. I came close to posting it here the next day, but it was Friday, and Sal already had a Weekend Mix.
If you see Johnny A is coming to town. Go see him, I'll probably be there too.
-BBJ
7 comments:
Wow, that was amazing! Love the effects. Any other videos available of the show?
Thanks for posting!!
Randy
You've characterized a Johnny A show fair and square. I saw him in Arlington, MA earlier this year. He's a little grizzled, a little cranky, but he can pretty much make a guitar do anything.
Fantastic! I've seen Warren Zevon and Todd Rundgren do something like this - taping a loop of themselves then playing over it, if that's what Johnny A's doing here - but not as expansive as this. Way cool.
Johnny A. is a mind-bending player graced with a surfeit of taste and an abundance of style. His sound is instantly recognizable once you're tuned into it. The clip of "Strawberry Fields" actually does him little justice. The album to investigate is called "Get Inside," and it's a stunner.
Thanks! I'll check out "Get Inside". My only experience with Johnny A is described in the post.
Ordered "Get Inside" today.
bbj:
You should be pleased...!
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