Personnel: Johnnie Johnson (piano, vocals); Eric Clapton (guitar); Keith Richards, Steve Ferguson, Al Anderson (guitar, vocals); Terry Adams (harmonica); Michael Ray (trumpet); Bernie Worrell (keyboards, background vocals); Joey Spampinato (bass, background vocals); Steve Jordan (drums, background vocals); Tom Ardolino (drums); Bernard Fowler (background vocals).
Recorded at Ultrasonic Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana and Sorcerer Sound, New York from November 1990 to January 1991. Includes liner notes by Ben Sandmel.
Pianist Johnnie Johnson entered the rock-&-roll history books as the pianist on many of Chuck Berry's early hits (some say he's even an uncredited co-composer), but 1991's JOHNNIE B. BAD was only Johnson's second proper solo album, and his first for a major label. Accordingly, it's festooned with guest stars, including Eric Clapton and the members of NRBQ, but none of them outshines Johnson. Never abandoning his swinging, measured pace, he lays down bluesy licks and laconic vocals that mark him as both a master of the blues and a father of rock & roll.
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (8/22/91) - 3.5 stars - Very Good - "...Johnson shows off his considerable skills as a blues piano player and surprising ability as a singer, while his special friends clearly have a hell of a good time providing the context..."
Q (10/91) - 3 Stars - Good - "...his barrelhouse piano is unfailingly eloquent..."
Stereo Review (9/91) - Performance "A Joy" / Recording "Excellent" - "...Johnson himself may be the only rock pianist alive who still knows how to swing..."
New York Times (Publisher) (1/1/92) - "The first solo album by Chuck Berry's 67-year old pianist brims with priceless boogie riffs and delicate blues phrasings."
