Lonnie Johnson With Elmer Snowdes - Blues, Ballads and Jumpin' Jazz (1960)

1- Lester Leaps In              play
2- Blue And All Alone
3- On The Sunny Side Of The Street
4- C Jam Blues
5- New Orleans Blues
6- Careless Love                play
7- Stormy Weather (Take #1)
8- Stormy Weather (Take #2)
9- Ain't Gonna Give You None Of This Jelly Roll
10- Birth Of The Blues

Lonnie Johnson - electric guitar
Elmer Snowden - acoustic guitar
Wendell Marshall - bass

This informal, relaxed collection of 1960 duets features Snowden's surprisingly impressive acoustic work as prominently as Johnson's rich vocals and smooth electric guitar. Both of these veterans had successful associations with jazz legends during the early parts of their careers--Johnson with Ellington and Armstrong; Snowden with Eubie Blake and Count Basie among others--and the repertoire leans heavily on jazz standards. On five of six instrumentals, including "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Lester Leaps In," and "C Jam Blues," Snowden's fleet acoustic guitar jumps to the fore, while Johnson takes lead on four vocal performances, including two superb takes of "Stormy Weather." Only on "Careless Love" does a guitar battle materialize. Still, the unique material, sparkling performances, and the light-hearted approach make for highly enjoyable listening. --Marc Greilsamer

When producer Chris Albertson brought Lonnie Johnson and guitarist Elmer Snowden into a studio for this album on April 9, 1960, both musicians hadn't recorded in a number of years. Indeed, Snowden hadn't seen the inside of a studio in 26 years, but you'd never know it by the fleet-fingered work he employs on the opening "Lester Leaps In," where he rips off one hot chorus after another. Johnson plays a dark-toned electric while Snowden plays acoustic, with Wendell Marshall rounding things out on bass. Given Johnson's reputation as a closet jazzer, it's remarkable that he merely comps rhythm behind Snowden's leads on "C-Jam Blues" and "On the Sunny Side of the Street." Johnson handles all the vocals, turning in an especially strong turn on the second take of "Stormy Weather." Lots of studio chatter make this disc of previously unissued material a real joy to listen to, a loose and relaxed session with loads of great playing and singing to recommend it. ---Cub Koda, AllMusic Review

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