Syl Johnson Biscuits & Blues Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

Semi-retired from the music business during the late 1980's and early 1990's Johnson started hearing his songs recorded by a string of young rappers like Hammer, Ghetto Boys and TLC. His youngest daughter, Syleena (just 17 years old at the time), had also blossomed into an outstanding singer. The new interest in his music by a new and younger audience prompted Syl to "Get Back In The Game" (the name of his 1994 CD) and let people know who he was and what his music is really about. Syl said "it was the rappers who encouraged me to get back in the business. They were doing my songs and I wanted to get back out there and let people know who I was, that I was the guy who originally did these songs." He wanted to solidify in peoples minds who he was again...that he was an R&B singer (with strong blues and gospel influences). Jonny Lang also does one of his songs on the "Lie To Me" CD, "Back For A Taste of Your Love" which is a funky sounding R&B dance song that Syl sang for us back in the dressing room during the break. He was proud that other musicians were performing his songs.

Syl Johnson Biscuits & Blues Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

Born July 1, 1939 (Syl said all the music books have his age wrong) in Benton County, Mississippi, Syl moved to Chicago with his family when he was 8. One of his young neighbors and long time friends was Sam (Magic Sam) Maghett. His original name was Thompson but he changed it to Johnson, because he said it was a more popular name...his older brother, Jimmy Johnson, followed suit.

Syl Johnson Biscuits & Blues Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

Syl started his show at Biscuits & Blues singing "Pretty Baby" with his back to the audience, playing some scorching guitar leads and serving up powerful soaring vocals. He was getting the crowd into the show right from the start. He followed with his 1970's hit "Take Me To The River" where he pulled out his harmonica and demonstrated his musical versatility. Continuing with his harp Syl played some very good Chicago blues with an energy level that was infectious. He really works during his shows. He was jumping around, pacing back and forth on the stage like a cat and playing to the audience. Johnson also has a great range in his voice and is so expressive in his playing -- using his body, vocals, guitar and harp to whip his audience into a fever pitch. With is patented falsetto whoops and piercing shouts Johnson uses his distinctive vocals to bring a soulful intensity to his performance.

Syl Johnson Biscuits & Blues Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

Syl was joined on stage by a well oiled backing band, Percy Dixon on keyboards, Anthony Morris on bass, Linard Stroud on drums and Will Crosby on guitar who were tighter than bark on a tree. Crosby also put on a spectacular display of guitar playing during the opening song of the second set. During this set Syl performed an entertaining version of his hit "Different Strokes" where he does that funky hip thrust with the band punctuating each thrust. He got up to 51 thrusts and was ready to go for 100 but thought better of it with a laugh...everyone was having a lot of fun!

Syl Johnson Biscuits & Blues Photo © 1997 by Tom Asp All rights reserved

At the end of the show he was still playing while off the stage and around the corner so people didn't know where he was...he was like a wind up toy that just keeps going and going -- he didn't want to quit. For the encore he started out with a dead on Elmore James lick and continued with a long guitar jam with Crosby. Super show, great performer and someone you definitely want to see the next time he comes to town!

E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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