Album Notes

Orville Johnson's take on country blues is slathered with soul and downright funky. The man can sing with feeling and pick guitar, dobro, and mandolin with the best of them. He performs a program of obscure classic blues and compositions of his own on this CD. It's his impressionistic tribute to the blues masters that inspired him, rendered in his own unique voice that, while it retains the keening quality of the bluesmen who came before, never sounds like anyone but Orville Johnson. Essential for the country blues/acoustic blues fans.

Blues Access says:

Four stars. Orville Johnson's craftsmanship is a thing of simple beauty. Pretty folk and country blues guitar picking, well-designed songs and earnest, sturdy vocals. On Blueprint for the Blues (OJM 001) the Seattle-based picker covers lots of ground in an easy, homespun style.His guitar sparkles on a lovely, unplugged version of the soul classic "If You Need Me" ; he gives a nod to revered 60's folkie Fred Neil, the Rev. Gary Davis and Willie Dixon and even takes on Son House's a cappella tour de force, "Grinnin' in Your Face." Whether breathing life into his own compositions or rendering covers in his easy, fireside manner, all things are driven by his provocative but well-mannered acoustic and slide guitar work
.
Blues Revue says:

Blueprint for the Blues, from Orville Johnson, outlines a roots music house with room for titles from the Rev. Gary Davis, Wilson Pickett and Henry Townsend, holding originals such as the Louisiana-tinged "My Sweet Octoroon" and serving Jimmy Rogers' "the Last Meal." It's an all acoustic affair with occasional accompaniment; Johnson backs his church-taught singing with good fingerpicking and imaginative slide playing.

Rooster's Blues Picks says:

Orville learned to sing in church. From the way he plays guitar, slide guitar, mandolin and whatever other stringed instruments are on this disc, someone must have been listening to his prayers. His "God's Gonna Ease My Troublin' Mind" is as chill-inducing as Blind Willie Johnson. This acoustic recording has a terrific presence, too.(And any fan of Fred Neil is OK by me) A standout.

Rhythm and Blues UK says:

.....I particularly enjoyed his vocal style which is natural and convincing. It is a very interesting selection of material backed by some clean and articulate guitar work.....
It is very difficult to emulate the intensity of Son House but the interpretation here (Grinnin in Your Face) has a captivating edge to it. The clarinet playing of Mark Graham on Rev. Davis' "Death Don't Have No Mercy" adds tension to this already great song....I am sure acoustic guitar pickers will enjoy this man's approach. He plays just the right amount of notes, never too many, with control and emotion. His vocals are natural, unpretentious and at times have a jazz quality about them. Although the majority of numbers have a strong blues feel, on a couple he launches off into different territory. There is a lovely Cajun touch on his original title "My Sweet Octoroon" a slice of soul on Wilson Pickett's "If You Need Me" and the crisp piano from Barney McClure works well on the title track to bring this set to a convincing close. There are a lot of acoustic guitar players around at the moment and this man certainly deserves some attention. He sounds relaxed, in control, is surrounded by good musicians, and delivers some solid no messing about material.