Watson S R

Any time two greats who admire each other and are musically compatible team together, the results are usually mutually beneficial. That was true for Bill Monroe and Doc Watson, whose spirited union on this 17-song disc is a sampler of American musical styles. They ripped through bluegrass, folk, blues, spirituals, mountain tunes, work songs, reels and breakdowns. Monroe's mandolin and Watson's guitar playing were masterful, wondrous and performed without any trace of self-indulgence. Their vocals were also delivered with ease, fluidity and conviction, the product of two performers completely at ease with themselves and only interested in spotlighting the material.

It all kinda came together on this 1977 LP: the ferocious funk Johnny had gotten into plus the blistering blues chops he'd always had. Includes Johnny's R&B hit Love That Will Not Die.

The disco period in Johnny "Guitar" Watson's catalog was spotty at best. You I first heard Johnny while stationed in Australia, of all places. Luckily, we had a D.J. who was really up on his music - especially Funk and Soul. As soon as I heard Mr. Watson coming from the speakers, I just HAD to know who was making that driving, funky sound. I had to wait for the next supply ship to make it to our "out-in-the-bush-on-the-edge-of-the-world" Naval base (about two months) before I got my own copy of this album, but it was worth the wait. Between Rick James, Parliament, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson, it is a toss-up as to who is the funkiest. But, while the music is great, it is only half of the goods. Johnny's lyrics are the other half, and they are witty, funny, sometimes a social commentary (even then they are still funny and witty).

Johnny's smokin' R&B sound continued to funkify (and dip into those Chic-like disco jams) on this 1978 LP. His new version of Gangster of Love went R&B Top 40; here's the complete release plus the unissued bonus cuts Base Station One and Do Me Bad So Good !