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Current mood:  adored Category: Music
Published in "Blues Blast" & on "Illinois Blues" - www.IllinoisBlues.com
George Fish - Reviewer “Blues & More”
© April, 2009 IllinoisBlues.com
"John Parker-Self Titled"
John Parker was the president of California’s Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society, an indefatigable fund raiser for cancer research, and founder of three blues bands. He also suffered from cancer himself, and died of the disease only three days after he’d put the final touches on this CD, “Self Titled”. Devoted to his music and his fans, he even performed a concert in freezing weather only 21 days after he’d had a liver transplant!
“Self Titled” is 12 tracks of contemporary electric blues that, while many of the songs do rock, is solidly blues, not blues-rock. Three of the songs are not John Parker originals, and the only obvious cover is that of Louis Jordan’s classic “Early In The Morning.” But even here there’s a notable originality, as the song is rendered not as the standard jump blues of the original, but as a contemporary blues with a rhumba beat. Of the other two non-originals, “I’ll Never Be Free” is solidly in a soul groove, while “I’ve Got The Blues Baby” is a slow, ruminative blues of getting it from all sides, from finances to a nasty woman.
John Parker has a flair for blues lyrics, and that shows well on his nine originals. Only four of the songs deal with that perpetual preoccupation of the blues, love and women, good and bad. “Loves Gonna Find You” talks of the search of love, “My Valentine” celebrates his good woman of many years, “Hopeless Romance” talks of a bad love relationship, and “Queen Of The Damned” is a strikingly different and original blues of a bad, bad woman.
But the other John Parker originals talk of other things. “I Got Me a New Car” tells of the woes of his old car, and how he’s got to replace it, while “The Price Of Fame” takes an ironic look at being as “famous” as—John Parker! “Waitin’ For The Water To Rise” is a tale of woe that seems to be at least indirectly inspired by the destructive flooding of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. Two songs are autographical paeans of hope despite adversity that are obviously inspired by his fight against cancer, “I Ain’t Gonna Give Up” and “Forget All My Fears.”
Parker plays lead guitar throughout, with plenty of deliciously bluesy lead work. Steve Halter’s definitive piano, organ and electric keyboard work is a presence on every track, and the rhythm sections of drummers Chris Collier, Ralf Mueggler, bassist Bill Ruffino, and Jeff Jensen on rhythm guitar provide a solid underpinning throughout. Kyle Culkin is featured on second rhythm guitar on “Loves Gonna Find You,” and Nate LaPointe plays slide electric guitar on “My Valentine” and pedal steel guitar with aplomb on “I Ain’t Gonna Give Up.” Tasty drum and bass solos are provided by drummer Chris Collier and bassist Bill Ruffino respectively, directly back-to-back, on “Queen Of The Damned.” Bluesman John Parker definitely went out with a bang, not a whimper, on his last CD, Self Titled, which makes this CD a strong listen for those who want nothing but straight-ahead contemporary blues with an original lyrical flair, and no frills added.
www.johnparkerblues.com
www.sonicbids.com/johnparker
www.cdbaby.com/johnparker
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Published on "Mary For Music" - www.Mary4Music.com
Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro - Contributing Writer for "BluesWax"
© December 2008
"John Parker-Self Titled"
JOHN PARKER has always written songs that are funny and true to his personal life. Suffering from liver cancer, his music became his medicine - it gave him his happiness and kept him going for several years. The finishing touches were put on this "Self-Titled" CD just days before he passed away. None of the music he ever wrote was more personal than the songs that appear on this disc. As I listened to them, it became quite clear to me that I was listening to a man who knew his fate, accepted it and actually used it in a positive way. On one of the tracks, JOHN says that if he ever had a chance to live his life over again, the only thing he'd change was that he'd "Find a cure for the blues". If you ask me, I believe he already had.
JOHN PARKER may be known as the "The Rockin' Bluesman", but make no mistake about it - his music is not Blues Rock, it is the Blues. I guess the association with "Rockin"comes from the claim that his music will "make you leave your seat and get up on your dancin' feet." So let's start dancin'.
On his second release - a self titled CD - JOHN PARKER, on Lead Guitar & Vocals, was joined by JEFF JENSEN on Rhythm Guitar, BILL RUFFINO on Bass and Backup Vocals, STEVE HALTER on Keyboards, Organ & Piano, CHRIS COLLIER on Drums and Backup Vocals, RALPH MUEGGLER on Drums, NATE LA POINTE on Guitar, Slide Guitar & Pedal Steel, SHERRY PRUITT on Backup Vocals and KYLE CULKIN on Guitar.
It sounds like some of the lyrics on the opening track may have come to JOHN while watching a TV commercial. "No money down, easy pay, divorce / bankrupt / bad credit OK - same day financing - drive it away". All of that obviously made it easy for him to say "I GOT ME A NEW CAR". This one featured great guitar work from John and exceptional rhythm from Bill & Chris on the bass and drums.
"I AIN'T GONNA GIVE UP" was obviously more than the title of this song - it was JOHN'S belief. This track pretty much tells his story and in doing so offers some pretty encouraging advice as well. Musically it's one of the discs best. JOHN'S smokin' it on guitar, NATE'S great on the Pedal Steel and the
rest of the band's jammin' out. Real good stuff.
JOHN'S realism makes it easy for him to say he's going to "FORGET ALL MY FEARS". This, one of the few slower tracks, features more amazing real life lyrics, great lead and backup vocals, soft piano and organ work from STEVE and great blues guitar licks from JOHN.
"I'VE GOT THE BLUES" is a smoker. C'mon, would you expect anything less with a title like that? This one features some of JOHN'S best guitar work and some real hot piano blues from Steve. As on most tracks, the rhythm sections at it's peak. More good stuff right here.
With the rest of the band in a real soft groove behind him, "HOPELESS ROMANCE" is all about the man, his vocals, his guitar, his thoughts and his emotions. This is JOHN PARKER at his best. I dare you to not hit replay at the end of this one!
There's nothing worse than having the blues "EARLY IN THE MORNING", as this track will attest. On the other hand, if ya gotta get up early in the morning, this one will have you doin' a calypso before you even have your coffee. Great percussion and backup vocals highlight this Island sounding tune.
"I'LL NEVER BE FREE" is definitely one of the songs they were talking about when they said JOHN PARKER'S music will make you leave your seat and get up on your dancin' feet. However, to this one, you'll be doin' a lot more swaying than rockin'. What an absolutely beautiful and relaxing song. JOHN'S vocals and STEVE'S keyboards will surely sweep you away. Although there is more, this appears to be the most fitting song to close with.
Other tracks on this remarkable disc include: "THE PRICE OF FAME", "LOVE'S GONNA FIND YOU", "MY VALENTINE", "QUEEN OF THE DAMNED" and 'WAITIN' FOR THE WATER TO RISE".
I know I close out all of my reviews stating how much I loved what I just listened to and wrote about, and I always recommend you grab a copy for your collection, and that's because I choose my reviews. Having said that, if you've never listened to that advice before, do yourself a real favor and take heed....even if it's the first and last time you do. This may very well be the most interesting CD I've heard all year.
Please check out JOHN PARKER'S web site by going to his website at www.JohnParkerBlues.com - and you won't have to tell him the Blewzzman sent ya..... I have a feeling he already knows that.
4:52 PM
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