CD Review
Johnny Moeller
"Johnny's Blues Aggregation"
Dallas Blues Society Records (DBS 8905)
by Terry Marshall
Review date: February 2001
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1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
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This collection of tracks by Dallas guitarist Johnny Moeller shows the beginnings of a career that will continue to expand his approach to traditional, straight-ahead, uncomplicated interpretations of the blues. With help from Shawn Pittman on vocals and piano on one track and Mike Keller adding his expressive upright bass to six of the twelve tracks this is obviously a group of guys who not only love the music but
love playing it! The production is sparse and authentic with no layering or additional studio "enhancements" that detract from the sound as it was played at the session. Johnny is a guitar player with a solid understanding of using chord structure as the foundation, not relying on electronic gimmicks or post-production to create the sound. In addition to Mike Keller (bassist/vocalist and half of the Keller Brothers Band) on bass and Shawn Pittman, Johnny Moeller is joined by Johnny Bradley on bass on the remaining tracks, Jason Moeller (Johnny’s brother) on drums, Matt Farrell admirably handling piano duties, and Homer Henderson, vocals and rhythm guitar. Each of the twelve tracks represents a different Blues style, from the traditional "Stagger Lee" and "Worried Life Blues" to an original, funked up soul influenced "J’s Scratcher" which closes this disc. If you’re looking for something a little rough and raw, like it was performed by the opening act before the act you came to see [and turns out to be better than the act you came to see—ed.]…this disc is for you.
www.dallasbluessociety.com or
(214) 521-2583 for ordering information
This review is copyright © 2001 by Terry Marshall, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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