Bear Family Records have added another entry to their long-running Rocks series of albums. Following on from Ronnie Self, this compilation focuses on the rocking music of Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson. The album features a whopping twenty-nine tracks originally recorded between 1953 and 1964.
Opening with the scorching Hot Little Mama, Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson Rocks is immediately engaging. As a novice in Watson’s output, I was immersed in his musical world straight away. It is quickly clear how innovative he was as a musician when contextualising his recordings alongside those of his peers and contemporaries. Techniques such as reverb were commonplace in the decades which followed, but they were not widely used on record when Watson first adopted them in the early-mid-1950s with tracks such as Space Guitar.
As a few tracks slip by, it is interesting to see how he managed to transition from the innovative, crunchy blues to the smoother sounds of the early sixties. He retained the energy in his delivery, still offering that heartfelt quality in his effective vocal performances. But it seems to work well even alongside the female vocal backing on tracks such as You Better Love Me.
What stands out the most, however, is Watson’s feeling for the music. His often impassioned vocals and the guitar work–which achieves a similar effect of conveying his sentiment and intensity–are firey.
Highlights…
Love Me Baby has a smooth, pleasing sort of tingle about it which made me want to move, just that little bit more than all the other tracks. Watson’s string bending is used here to great effect, almost as another voice.
Special mention must go to the iconic Space Guitar for its innovation and fun. The big sound of Those Lonely, Lonely Nights is so compelling in both instrumentation and vocal.
Sound Quality
The sound quality here is consistent and high. There is warmth and enough clarity to make the music like open arms inviting the listener inside. Plenty of subtlety still exists within the recordings, making sure that none of the musicians’ or vocalists’ contributions can be missed.
A Little Something Extra…
As with other entries in this excellent series, the compilation is presented in a digipak. The booklet inside features extensive liner notes by music historian Bill Dahl. In addition, there are discographical details by Nico Feuerbach, plus rare photographs and illustrations. This extra context adds to the listening experience, making it more rounded and informed. The inclusion of so many quotes from Watson himself is a very nice touch which brings the listener closer to his intent as an artist.
Tracklisting:
- Hot Little Mama
- Chuck Higgins (and his Mellotones) Motor Head Baby
- Looking Back
- She Moves Me
- Too Tired
- Gettin’ Drunk
- You Better Love Me
- Gangster Of Love
- Sweet Lovin’ Mama
- I Say, I Love You
- Deana Baby
- Highway 60
- Oh Baby
- Posin’
- Love Me Baby
- Broke And Lonely
- Ruben
- Johnny Guitar
- Space Guitar
- The Bear aka The Preacher And The Bear
- One Room Country Stack
- I Got Eyes
- Half Pint Of Whiskey
- One More Kiss
- Untouchable
- Rat Now
- Those Lonely, Lonely Nights
- What’s Going On
- Wait A Minute, Baby
In Conclusion…
Although Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson was previously unknown to me, and I am anything but an expert in his main genres, I cannot help but be moved by this compilation. I feel that Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson Rocks is a great introduction to the first decade or so of his recording career. Although he continued to reinvent himself in later decades, concentrating on his earlier output is useful in getting a feel for him as a creator.
After this introduction, I am inspired to check out some of his later material. His feel for the music is what stands out the most which is a quality which really speaks to me when I am listening and appraising an artist I have not previously heard.
For anyone who enjoys blues, soul and early rock and roll music, I would recommend this collection of recordings. It is also a pleasingly comprehensive look at Watson’s career from the early 1950s to the early ’60s, for long-time fans.
