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Midnite Johnny review…October 3, 2018….
Posted October 4, 2018 by dvcrow56 in Uncategorized.
MIDNITE JOHNNY
LONG ROAD HOME
MOSHER STREET RECORDS PLP 1850
YOUR
NEW OCCUPATION–SLOW BURN INSIDE–CRAZY MAMA–LONG ROAD HOME–LOOKIN GOOD–TIRED
OF FOOLIN AROUND–ALL THE BLUES–MOTELS, WHISKEY, AND ME–BETCHA BY NOW–BABY
BATTER–HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE–KEY TO THE HIGHWAY–OUTTA TIME–THAT’S ALL YOU
GONNA GET–LONG ROAD HOME (ACOUSTIC)
Guitarist Midnite Johnny (Morana) was long a mainstay of the
south Florida blues scene, and, since his relocation to the UK, virtually the
whole round blues world knows he’s here! His latest set is the aptly-titled
“Long Road Home,” thirteen originals and one cover that shows his penchant
for blues, rock, and roots music. With a style of playing rooted in that of
the masters, he opens the set with a favorite, the infectious boogie of his
lover’s “New Occupation–makin’ a fool outta me!” A fine, jazzy, slow-blues
cut might well play out Johnny’s life as a road-warrior bluesman, for,
sometimes, all that’s left is “Motels, Whiskey,And Me!” Johnny hits a strong
Clapton-inspired vibe on a tune to which we can all relate, as Steve Zoyes’
acoustic piano rides over Johnny’s shout-out to all his debtors, “I can’t
give what I ain’t got, and that’s All You’re Gonna Get!”
Johnny covers two standards in his own inimitable way, too. His slide guitar
is the catalyst on an uptempo read of J. J. Cale’s “Crazy Mama,” while Big Bill’s
“Key To The Highway” is presented in the spirit in which it was
written–Johnny’s vocal and guitar only.
We had two other favorites, too. “Long Road Home” digs on a Muddy groove,
with a rollin’, tumblin slide, as our hero proclaims he “coulda had religion,
but bad luck and whiskey would not let me pray!” The set closes with this
song presented in an entirely different light–it is done in an acoustic
setting complete with a string section, and becomes an ethereal, almost
reverential, beautiful ending to this album.
Midnite Johnny has won over legions of fans “on both sides of the Pond!” His
may have been a “Long Road Home,” but, we believe he’d say it’s all been
worth the ride! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues
Society.
Midnite Johnny Band!
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it move up in the charts!
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Midnite
Johnny home . . .
. . . Midnite Johnny has worked extensively throughout his native USA and has
established a reputation as one of South Florida’s most powerful Blues and
Rock guitarists.
A lead/slide guitarist and vocalist specialising in Blues, Blues Rock,
Classic Rock, and R & B, Guitar style reminiscent of Eric Clapton, Carlos
Santana, Freddie King and Buddy Guy.
One of South Florida’s hottest musicians whose resume includes work with Bo
Diddley, Harvey Mandel (Canned Heat),Warren Ceaser and many more. This
veteran of the South Florida Blues scene employs a library of riffs from Freddy
King to Otis Rush and Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughn along with his own
original material.
Since relocating to the UK Midnite Johnny has fast built a dedicated
following throughout Europe. With his band they offer a wide ranging and
varied array of Blues, R&B and Roots Rock. The bands vast influences and
experiences take them to a place where “The Roots Of Blues Meet The Hard
Edge Of Classic Rock & Roll”.
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