Lonnie Johnson and Griff's lessons

[Kimball]

I want to share this Lonnie Johnson tune with you because it has just about everything in it that I've learned through Griff. It has tweedlies, play-it-fast-and-let-the-band-catch-up, less-is-more rhythm, repeated riffs, rakes, syncopation, never start on the first beat. I'm sure there are more. Scroll through the MC intro to about 1:10.

https://youtu.be/n8fyb9vpIc0

 

[jammoore99]

Thanks for the post. It's always good to hear some of the things we learn from Griff. The MC ppears to be Sonny Boy Williamson.

 

[tommytubetone]

Nice call and response also.

 

[Silicon Valley Tom]

Great feeling!

Interesting man.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonnie_Johnson_(musician)

Tom

 

[ChrisGSP]

Lonnie played some great stuff with Eddie Lang in the 1920's. It's a shame the camera switched to the drummer just as Lonnie started those chord-rake phrases, BUT I'm glad it did because the pianist is Otis Spann and the bassist is Willie Dixon - Muddy's #1 guys !!! So I'm gonna say that the drummer is probably Francis Clay, who was in Muddy's band around the same time as Otis and Willie. A GREAT band.