Brighton-based guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter, Will Johns, is set to release his 4th studio album “ Bluesdaddy ” on Thursday 22 April 2021. The album is available to pre-order now at: www.willjohns.com/store
The new album, which was recorded at Brighton Electric Studios during sporadic periods of eased Covid-19 restrictions, offers a lovingly chosen collection of authentic, raw-sounding blues classics and one original – the title track, “ Bluesdaddy ”.
Says Will, “I wanted to produce something extremely honest and true to what you get at a live Will Johns Blues show.” The album’s sound is characterised by a no frills approach, and very little in the way of production and effects, as well as an obvious love, respect and understanding of the genre.
Born in 1973, this is a man with the music in his blood, but it’s hardly surprising given his pedigree. His parents are actress/model Paula Boyd , sister of Pattie, and record producer Andy Johns (who worked with the Rolling Stones , Led Zeppelin and Eric Clapton ), and his uncles include Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, George Harrison and Glyn Johns.
The new album pays homage to blues greats from BB King and Robert Johnson to Peter Green and Ry Cooder , exemplifying Johns’ sound as one that’s both cutting-edge and steeped in blues history. He says: “In the blues world it is natural for an artist to play the standards. Here, I’ve taken classic songs that everyone knows and loves and put my own stamp on things.”
Distinctive and exciting, Will strikes a masterful balance between old soul & modern flair, giving each track a fresh but sensitive update. Then there’s the Johns original, from whence the album takes its name. Tasty slide playing and a catchy hook characterise this track and it’s got a homegrown backstory: “I originally wrote ‘Bluesdaddy’ on a plywood guitar that was on the wall in our favourite Brighton Blues bar, The Ranelagh. The guitar itself was cheap and nasty and the strings were all rusty but with a nice big heavy brass slide the damn thing sounded incredibly authentic and inspired me to write a few words to the tune. Basically about a Dad who plays the blues wherever he goes whether he is alone at home or on the road and in front of a crowd.”
Never one for too much sad colouration in his blues, there’s palpable joy in the tracks – owing in no small part to having been locked up since March of 2020: “I was incredibly lucky to utilise a relaxed point in the restrictions that enabled Chris Gale (drums), Richard Sadler (bass) and I to record all the songs live, in the same room at Brighton Electric Studios. We literally set up and smashed it out. I really wanted to capture the raw energy that is only present when things aren’t over rehearsed and over thunk!”
Due to ongoing restrictions, a slightly belated album launch show will take place at Komedia Bath on Wednesday 9 June .
