Bridge To A Legacy is Syl Johnson's first album since his
1994 recording for Delmark, Back In The Game. Similarly, the new
CD has been signified as a Johnson comeback record. This CD is
to have come out of his return to the music business in support
of his daughter Syleena's budding musical career. Unlike Back In
The Game, which involved a majority of songs by other writers;
all but one song on Bridge To A Legacy, George Jackson's "They
Can't See Your Good Side," are written or co-written by Johnson.
The songs on the CD are a mix of blues and soul, with a
definite shading to the soul side on many tunes. The opening
song, "Who's Still In Love," provides a good driving rhythm and
gets things off on the right foot. "I Been Missin' U," a duet
with local phenom Johnny Lang, is a good song, but not nearly as
entertaining as Lang's recent duet with Buddy Guy, "Midnight
Train." However, the duet with his daughter Syleena, "Half A
Love," is definitely one of the more soulful cuts on the CD.
"Midnight Woman" is a fine mid-tempo number with some excellent
guitar offered by the talented Johnson. "I Don't Know Why" is
another mid-tempo song that is very representative of Johnson's
musical style and guitar technique.
In addition to the opening "Who's Still In Love," two other
songs stand out for me; "Piece Of The Rock" and "Sexy Wayz."
Both songs include infectious grooves and tight horn arrangements
by Gene Barge (Mellow Fellows/Chicago Rhythm & Blues Kings).
Syl Johnson is a regular visitor to the Twin Cities and a
performer worth seeing whenever he comes to town. Given the
quality of this new CD, Johnson will hopefully get some
additional recognition can provide a boost to his comeback effort
and the impetus for some additional recording. Bridge To A
Legacy is a definite step in the right direction for Syl Johnson.
This review is copyright © 1998 by Dave "Doc" Piltz, all rights reserved.
Blues On Stage Table of Contents:
Copyright 1997, 1998 by Ray M. Stiles. All rights reserved.
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