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GREAT INTRODUCTION
- It Still
It Ain't Easy
was Long John's first release for Stony Plain Records in
1991. Since then he has recorded another four albums for the
roots label based in Edmonton, Alberta. The title song harkens
back to Long John's signature record It Ain't Easy
(Warners 1971). John exclaims in this song "that it still ain't
easy but I like it that way!" John doesa beautiful acappella
rendition of the prison song 'No More'. Long John also
recorded this song in the early seventies but it remains
unreleased. The album was produced by Tom Lavin of The Powder
Blues and includes some gritty Blues songs such as 'What Have I Been Drinking'. Long John
and Kathi McDonald do a great version of Willie Dixon's
'Insane Asylum' and for Baldry trivia fans that was the
title of Kathi McDonald's great first record in
1974. 'Midnight in New Orleans' is another souful song that
Long John also did a video for. Long John also does a nice
interpretation of the jazz classic 'Soft and Furry'. The
song 'Busking' takes us back to Long John's roots when he
was an itinerant folkie in England during the late fifties
playing the street for small change. Musicians on the record
included longtime Baldry guitarist Papa John King and
Butch Coulter on harmonica. This record is a great
introduction to Long John's Stony Plain work.
-Jeff
Edmunds |
