Saturday 25 June 2011

Johnny "Guitar" Watson - A Real Mother For Ya (1977)



"A Real Mother For Ya" followed up the massive "Ain't That A Bitch," and showcased Johnny "Guitar" Watson at the top of his game. Confident, ever humourous, grooving, slinky and sexy, the album mixes funk, blues and soul, with some deft jazzy touches. The album featured three singles: the title track, "Lover Jones" and "The Real Deal." After this album, Watson continued recording into the 90's, with a brief hiatus in the 80's after the shooting death of his good friend Larry Williams. He died on stage in Yokohama in 1996 while on a tour of Japan. After collapsing mid guitar solo, his last words were, "Ain't that a bitch!" Watson influenced legions of guitarists and musicians, including Frank Zappa, Steve Miller, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sly Stone and George Clinton. Bobby Womack called him "the most dangerous gunslinger out there," while Etta James said of him, "They call Elvis the King, but the sure-enough King was Johnny 'Guitar' Watson."

Find album info. on Discogs:

CD available on Amazon:
(amazon.co.uk) A Real Mother For Ya

No comments: