Johnny Tucker Featuring Kid Ramos And The Allstars – 75 And Alive

15-12-2021

The American blues singer Johnny Tucker (October 17, 1945) comes from a very large family of 19 children. His interest in music arises when he listens to his father playing his guitar on the porch of their house. Johnny starts playing drums and is influenced by Lowell Fulson and James Brown, among others. In 1964 he met Phillip Walker in Los Angeles in whose band he later became the drummer. During his many tours in the US, Canada, Japan and Europe, Tucker plays with Floyd Dixon, Robert Cray, Johnny Otis, The Five Royals, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Lowell Fulson and Johnny Copeland. In 2006 his first album "Why You Lookin' At Me ?" from. Recently a new album by Johnny Tucker was released. This album, "75 And Alive", was recorded on October 17, 2020, the singer's 75th birthday from Fresno, California. Tucker is accompanied by renowned guitarist Kid Ramos and a fantastic all-star band. Johnny Tucker dedicated this album to his wife Georgia May, who was in the studio during the recording, but who passed away shortly after the album's release. 'All Night Long, all Night Wrong' is the swinging R&B opener with guitar work in the style of T-Bone Walker, horns and a nice piano solo. Tucker's vocals are intense in the beautiful slow blues 'There's A Time For Love'. With Carl Sonny Leyland's pounding piano and Bob Corritore's jew's harp, 'If You Ever Love Me' brings us to the New Orleans atmosphere. The howling jew's harp and the lived-in voice of Tucker make the shuffle 'Can't You See' a party. The feet then go off the floor in the exciting 'What's The Matter'. Ramos' guitar work is fierce in the intense blues 'Treat Me Good'. The instrumental shuffle 'Snowplow' is a dazzling ode to Albert Collins (1932-1993) with guitar, piano and a sax solo. 'What's On My Mind' is a boogie with Barrelhouse piano, howling jew's harp and a tight rhythm section. Hookline is another instrumental in which a beautiful ode to Earl Hooker (1930-1970) is paid with slide, piano solos and mouth harp. Driven and soulful are the vocals in the fat Texas blues 'Dance Like I Should'. The blues shuffle 'Have A Good Time Tonight, Play Your Soul Johnny' is an exuberant tribute from Tucker and Ramos to Buddy Guy. The album ends with 'Gotta Do It One Time'. Memphis soul at its best, where Tucker and all the band members once again take on it in all its glory. Johnny Tucker has given himself and his fans a very nice birthday present. The title of the album completely sums it up.

01. All Night Long, All Night Wrong 4:07

02. There's a Time For Love 5:57

03. If You Ever Love Me 4:50

04. Can't You See 4:41

05. What's The Matter 4:31

06. Treat Me Good 3:57

07. Snowplow 3:42

08. What's On My Mind 3:32

09. Hookline 4:25

10. Dance Like I Should 3:24

11. Have A Good Time Tonight - Play Your Soul Johnny 3:25

12. Gotta Do It One Time 4:47