Recorded in Berkley, CA, in March 2003, The Johns’ self-titled CD opens with a delicious rendition of “Don’t Lose Your Cool”, a swing-style instrumental written by Albert Collins. It’s an attention-grabber that serves as a signal for the upcoming John Firmin instrumental rhythm-boosters (“The Driver” and “Muddy Surf” – a magnificent blow-out if I ever heard one!) that give the top-rate rhythm section something solid to work with. John Lee, on roaring lead vocals that are well-matched with the powerful sax work, pays tribute to Chuck Berry, Willie Dixon and R. Penniman (a.k.a. Little Richard). I personally prefer Stephan’s vocals, though, whose deep but smooth tone and style always bring Eric Clapton to mind. His voice works best on the slow-blues compositions that really are his specialty, as witnessed here on “Holed-Up” and “A Day @ a Time”, the former track, with the smoldering slide guitar, recalling yet another John (Lee Hooker) in its mesmerizing repetitiousness. I must admit, though, that Stephan does a great job on the barrel house blueser, “Love Doctor”, co-written with Charlene Grant. Stephan is, however, equally adept at funking up a regular electric guitar on “Kid from Palmer”, strongly influenced by Robert Cray and his mentor Albert Collins. On this track, he recounts his numerous early musical idols and the non-existence of “live” performances and scarcity of vinyl records while growing up in the “boonies” of Alaska. “A Day @ a Time”, a slow-tempo rhythm and blues number demonstrates John Firmin’s dynamics on slow, sweet, saxophone. Henry Salvia delivers some wistful piano-noodling here before letting loose on Chuck Berry’s “Nadine”, giving it a jazzy edge without losing the original rock’n’roll, hoochie-koo feel. Another John is then added to the equation - John Marshall - whose politically “subversive” lyrics on “Imperialism 101” resulted in a confiscation at a recent border inspection. Marshall also collaborated with John Stephan on “Mr. Counter-Clockwise”, a lively boogie-woogie shuffle that salutes rebelliousness – yeah! Piano wiz Henry Salvia was a perfect replacement keyboardist for the much-sought-after Paul Richardson, who performed on the John Stephan Band’s live recording at Experience Music Project earlier this year. Alaska sure can rock the blues!