SUPER
CHIKAN
"SUM' MO' CHIKAN"
CHIKAN HAWSE
RECORDS
BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN"
LAURO © SEPTEMBER 2008
Although
JAMES "SUPER CHIKAN" JOHNSON has barely been on the blues scene a mere
ten years, until very recently, he's managed to fly under my blues radar.
It wasn't until just a few short months ago, at the "Springing The Blues
Festival" in Jacksonville Beach. FL, that I was finally exposed to his
music, and I immediately became a fan. As the expression goes, better
late than never.
"SUM' MO'
CHIKAN", is the fourth release for SUPER CHIKAN, and having heard it has
certainly whet my appetite for a 'LOT MO' CHIKAN'. On this
project, which consists of twelve original tracks, SUPER CHIKAN - on Vocals,
Guitar and Chikantar, is joined by DADDY RICH on Bass, JAMEISA "PINKY" TURNER on
Drums and LAURA "LALA" CRAIG on Keyboards. Collectively the
band is fittingly known as SUPER CHIKAN AND THE FIGHTING
COCKS.
The opening track is
an instrumental called "FREDDY'S THANG". It's a smokin' jam that
quickly introduces the listener to each of the band members' high level of
talent. With his unique style of play, SUPER CHIKAN does
things I promise you you've never heard come from a guitar, DADDY and PINKY
make it obvious the rhythm's gonna be hot throughout the disc and
LALA'S piano playin' demonstrates why she's going to be perking some ears
in the blues community.
Even though
it's a song about yodeling, "HOOKIN' UP" just plain tears it
up. It's a cleverly written track describing some banter
between SUPER CHIKAN and his mother. It seems she's concerned her son's
yodeling has him sounding like a "white boy" and she'd prefer he yodel more
like JOHN LEE HOOKER used to. Some of the discs best guitar
and hottest rhythm are surely to be heard on this smoker.
Wasps, snakes
and bees seem to have given SUPER CHIKAN a bad case of those "YARD BOY
BLUES". This is blues the way I love it - slow and lowdown with
lots of scorching blues guitar riffs. This is absolutely one of
the discs best.
"MEXICO
CITY" is another track that features the fabulous FIGHTING COCKS
getting in their share of licks. Behind more furious guitar work from
their leader, the rhythm section is again peaking and LALA - whom,
since that day in Jacksonville Beach, I have been calling 'The female DR.
JOHN' - is absolutely ripping up the piano.
Before you listen to
"LOVE CRUISER", make sure you've got your dancin' shoes on. This
one's gonna get you movin' faster than a chased
chicken. Everyone seems to be simultaneously peaking on this hot
jam.
If you can figure
out where "SIPPI'SEEKAN'SAW" is, then you'll know the exact place that
SUPER CHIKAN"S talkin' 'bout as he sings about the things he's done and the
places he's been. This is typical of his witty, humorous and
very factual songwriting.
Other tracks on
this absolutely super disc by SUPER CHIKAN include: "CRYSTAL BALL
EYES", "NOVEMBER NIGHTS", "FULL MOON BLUES", "PETER TRUCK", "CRYING ABOUT
THE BLUES" and "COOCHIE DADDY".
You can, and really
should, visit SUPER CHIKAN at www.superchikan.com. While
you're there, do yourself two big favors - pick up some of his music and read
his very interesting bio. Also, do me one big favor by
telling him the Blewzzman sent ya.
This review has been complimentary
written for your newsletter by Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro, a contributing writer
for BLUESWAX and the Blues Editor at
www.Mary4Music.com where you can read many
more CD and live show reviews, view lots of blues photographs and find an
abundance of blues material. I can be reached at
Blewzzman@aol.com