JOHN LITTLEJOHN
Slidin' Home (Arhoolie)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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John Littlejohn Funchess is one of the best-kept secrets of post-war Chicago blues. After Elmore James' death in the early 1960's, John Littlejohn kept Elmore's searing slide guitar and powerful horn sound alive in working class blues clubs ranging from Joliet, Illinois, over to the then-thriving steeltown of Gary, Indiana, and to Chicago. In 1968, Arhoolie founder Chris Strachwitz asked Buddy Guy for his pick on bluesmen working the Chicago club scene, and Buddy recommended Earl Hooker and John Littlejohn. Slidin' Home features some urban Chicago in the classic post-war style of fluid picking and strong power chords, backed by a punchy horn section. On Slidin' Home, John Littlejohn picks, slides, plays and sings out front, with Monroe Jones, Jr., on rhythm guitar, and they are powered by Alvin Nichols on bass and Booker Sidgrave on the drums. The twin tenor saxophones of Willie Young and Robert Pulliam round out the sound, recorded on November 14, 1968 by producers Chris Strackwitz and Willie Dixon. I hope Willie heard some echoes of the Chess sound that he helped capture a generation earlier, particularly on Littlejohn's "Treat Me Wrong," "Catfish Blues," and the infectious boogie and slide of the lone Elmore James cut, "Shake Your Money Maker."

Track List:

What In The World You Goin' To Do * Treat Me Wrong * Catfish Blues * Kiddeo * Slidin' Home * Dream *Reelin' And Rockin' * Been Around The World * How Much More Long * Shake Your Money Maker * I'm Tired * Nowhere To Lay My Head

© 2001 - Eric Steiner