Conjur Root Records Within Cdbaby (http://www.cdbaby.com/all/jwillia100aolcom) Presents:
THE SUPERSTITIONS BAND
"JUKE JOINT PROPHETS"
The Superstitions deliver a Maxwell St. alley sound with a high intensity flair just like the earliest Chicago Electric groups, on this recording, a harp-driven-trio. The bands inspiration hearkens back to the great days of early post-war blues when blues musicians first converted to electrically amplified instrumentation. With Demar Dupree on vocals and harp, accompanied by Johnny Williamson and Tj Sullivan on rhythm and lead guitars as well as lead vocals, the formidable chops of these three bluesmen create a sound that is startlingly full for a trio and dynamic in its presentation! In fact, the band refers to their performances as "Juke Joint Revival Meetings". The trio has dug deep into the rich history of blues music to showcase great rare and obscure material and plays it in a way which is unique in the current blues scene. This aspect, evident in both the almost evangelical presentation in their live performances, as well as the bands many original tunes allows them to display a consummate knowledge of the form and invests the music with heartfelt storytelling and sometimes-wry humor which is what great blues is all about. Each of the versatile members of The Superstitions contributes his own vocal style which allows them to play a wide spectrum of blues music from the earliest days to contemporary forms while infusing it all with their own ensemble's special approach. Audiences who have seen and heard the recent "West Coast Shows of The Superstitions" have been thoroughly entertained and overwhelmed by the music and showmanship of these three bluesmen. Once you've experienced one of their "Juke Joint Revivals" you will be a true believer in The Superstitions!
Not since Lester Butler and the Red Devils or The Hollywood Fats Bands has there been such an authentically early sounding Jumping group in roots music!
Demar Dupree - Harp Player and and Lead Vocalist from Duberly Louisiana, displays the skills and mastery of the blues that only a lifetime of dedicated playing can produce. His soulful vocals and explosive sax-inspired harmonica playing are perfectly complemented by his self-described "Juke Joint Evangelical" stage presentation. Demars influences range from his home state, the deep blues of the Delta, to the hard-driving urban Chicago style and are reflected in the Harp and Vocals on tracks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, and 14 continuing the original tradition of the greats!,
There is a great legacy here as Joe Lee Bush is one of the last men alive who took lessons in the 50's from Little Walter and Demar and Joe Lee have been in a long distance collaboration where the real tricks of the trade are shared and featured by this Superstition Band Leader. Demars' powerful and soulful vocals are as great as his Harp! Masterful! Simply Outstanding!
Tj Sullivan - Lead Guitarist and vocalist, Tj's driving guitar is the "Real Deal' with a vast repertoire of sounds: the "T-bone of the Gibson 175, the chunky hot sauce of the Telecaster, the bright stinging of the King Bee Stratocaster and the original Kay / Stratotone. One taste of his wide variety of guitar styles and precise inspired playing will make you understand why "Blues Review Magazine recently called his work "almost prefabricated. It's THAT GOOD!" In addition, Tj's guitar work is equaled by his personal catalog of originals in blues and jazz genres which are performed nationally. His stage appearances include shows with Big Joe Turner, Paul Butterfield, Delaney Bramlett and many others. Check Tj out on Lead Guitar and Vocals on track 10 and his Deep Root and Rockin' Guitar Style really stands out in a big way on all tracks with an extra special flair on the two instrumentals 7 and 15. Tj is one of the most capable guitar players in the country and can move from Jimmy Reed to Johnny Guitar Watson with authority and ease and if you catch him in the mood Tj will Bring in some Goree Carter, Guitar Slim, Cal Green, Jimmy Nolan and Pete Lewis just to keep you on your toes! One of the best fresh guitar men today! Tj is an alumni or known associate of Top Jimmy's Joey Morales, and the notorious Meat Whistles.
Johnny Williamson aka California John Williamson and John Lee Williamson - is The King of Jump, Shuffle and Swing. With his powerful vocal styling and Big Box Warm Kay guitar sound, Johnny exhibits his mastery of Tone & Rhythm in every performance. Johnny has shared the stage with blues giants like Etta James, Big Joe Turner, Rod Piazza, Austin's Billy Campbell, Chuck Higgins, and many others. His Atlanta Ga. Band "The Southside Jukes" are a regional legend as was his L.A.- based group "The Magic Blues Band" . Hearing and seeing Johnny is like being transported back to the era of the great Jump Blues Bands of the 40's and 50's He is the Root staple in the Superstitions. The oldest of old school Rhythm Guitar Players. Johnny could often be found in the "Hollywood Roots Music Club Scene" working at the Cathay De Grand on shows with Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs. If you Like rhythm like the original greats, you gonna like Johnny!
Special thanks to: Rich Torres our fantastic Jazz schooled drummer soon to be heard on the Superstitions next record, The Piazzas, Juke Logan, Cal Green, Rocky Jackson, Billy Campbell, Top Jimmy's original Pigs, Jimmy Reed, Randy Chortcoff, Freddy King, Felix Reyes, Johnny Guitar Watson, Walter, George Smith, James Harmon, Jimmy Nolan, Big Joe Turner, Chris Green, Frankie Moates, Brian Powell, Rick Cheney, Vernon Green and the Medallions, Dick Hugg, Hunter Hancock, Chuck Higgins, Joe Houston, The Jewels, The Spiders, Chuck Carbo, Slim Harpo, Little Walter, Jr. Wells, and Harmonica Joe Lee Bush., OK! Max Bangwell, Jobe Strials, and Rick Germond and Really all those Dead Jimmy's
Band Members have apeared on the same stage with or in the following groups:
Joe Turner
Joe Houston
Chuck Higgins
Hank Ballard & the Midnighters
Rod Piazza
Blind Joe Hill
Johnny Turner
Hollywood Fats
Ry Cooder
Cal Green / Hank Ballard
R. L. Lowe
Felix Reyes and the Cats
Sean Costello
Grady Fats Jackson
Katy Segal
Chambers Bros.
Bruce Willis and the Heaters
Barbara Lynn
Etta James
Johnny Dyer
George Harmonica Smith
William Clark
John Juke Logan
James Harmon
Johnny Maistro & the Mama's Boys
Max Bangwell
Job Striels
Rob Rio
James Gadson
Dewey Terry / Don & Dewey
Timmy Capella /Tina Turner
Paul Butterfield
Randy Chortcoff & the Midnite Rhythm Rockers
Sam Taylor / Band Called Sam
Co Co Montoya
Debbie Davies
Maggie Mayall & the Cadillacs
John Mayall
Luke "Long Gone" Miles
Bernie Pearl
Sandra Hall
The Shadows
Luther Tucker
Willie Dixon
Myers Brothers
Son Seals
Joe Lewis Walker
Al Duncan / Little Walter/Hollywood Fats/Drums
Lester Butler
Alex Schultz
Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs
Carlos "Guitarlos" Ayala
Steve Berlin
Billy Campbell
Rocky Jackson & the Ignighters
John Marx
Primordial Slim/Rick Germond/Curb Feelers
Marvin & Johnny
Frankie Moates
The Casanovas
Dr Jazzmo
Wolfman Jack
John Lee Williamson
Steve F'dor and more!
From www.Rootsville.be (Spotlight)
John Williamson was born in South Bend Indiana, October 17 1941 of, Father, Big Band Horn player, Sax, Claranet, Flute and Piccolo James E Williamson who over the years played with Freddy Martin, Hank Russell, Nelson Riddle, Lawrence Welk, and others and Mother, Wynn Fair Big band Singer with the Freddie Martin Orchestra. John was living in dresser drawers of the hotels that his parents lived in while doing big band one nighters and often jokes that the back of his head is flat from sleeping in dresser drawers. At the onset of World War II John lived in Lubbock Texas with his Great ant and uncle in the oil fields. after the war he moved to Sunland California and has resided there on and off Living in Los Angeles in the 1960's, Sun Valley Ca. 1970's, Northridge Ca. in the 1980 Atlanta Georgia thru the 1990 and again in Sunland from 1997 to the present where he is the CEO of Conjur Root Records. John Williamson founded and performed in the following Bands from the 1950' thru the 1980's The Magic Blues Band, The Magic Blues Band Featuring 50"s Sax legend Chuck Higgins. The Magic Blues Band consisted of John Williamson - Guitar and Vocals, Rocky Jackson - Guitar and vocals, Paul Zubek Harp and Vocals, Lenna Rena Piano and vocals, Bruce Cox Bass, Jeff Shaw Drums and subsequently Rick Germond aka Primordial Slim Harp, and Rod The Rocket Welk Harp, Joe Uele of John Mayall Band), Dennis Kensmore, Roger Connley, Mike Herman drums and Al Molinaro, Jesse Seranno, and Alan Heranno - Bass, During this period John appeared with many 1950's thru 1980's legends, Don Julian, The Jaguars, Richard Berry, Don & Dewey, Tony Allen, Vernon Green and the Medallions, The Chambers Brothers, Juke Logan, Katy Segal, Lester Butler ( Blue Shadows, Red Devils, 13) and Dave Melton, Big Joe Turner, Smoky Wilson, Etta James, William Clark, Rod Piazza, Steve Samuals, Rick Holstrom, Alex Shultz, Paul Butterfield, Timmy Capella, Randy Chortcoff, Sam Taylor, Deacon Jones, Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs, X, Mentors and many others. The Magic Blues band was a regionally renound Hollywood underground mainstay who produced and performed legendary Blues Theme Shows and Mini-Festivals with all these people on the west coast.
The Magic Blues Band CD is slated for re-issue in June 2008 after 30 plus years! in John's attic.
In 1990 John moved to Atlanta Georgia, at the time the Atlanta Scene was focused on Stevie Ray Vaughn and Texas Blues and was well represented across the USA. John Was much more a player in the resurgence of real roots music that Stevie's brother Jimmy Vaughn and Keith Furgerson were spearheading. After going to most of the clubs and shows in Atlanta John decided to build and campaign a true roots blues band in Atlanta, The first was Crossfire, with Brian Powell - Guitar and Vocals, John Weiland - Bass and Vocals, Steve Harding - Drums this was followed by Buick 59 a Blues and Roots Trio featuring John Williamson Guitar and Vocals, Frankie Moates Guitar, and Rick Cheney - Harp. Then at a chance meeting with his L.A. friend and Harp master Rod Piazza and an acquaintance of Rods, Harmonica Joe Lee Bush who introduced John and Joe Lee Bush that night at Blind Willies Club in Atlanta.
John and Joe Lee really hit it off immediately, both were original 1950's guys, Joe Lee had been the last person to take lessons from the legendary Little Walter Jacobs and as a 14 year old kid really soaked up everything Walter taught him over 2 months outside those Auburn ave. clubs in the early 1950's. John and Joe Lee already knew everything the other guy knew, so they launched into performing the Atlanta club circuit as The Southside Jukes a two man roots band. Over the next month they decided to expand the band to a full on blues band and invited Frankie Moates -Guitar, Chris Green - Pinetone Studios, Piano and Guitar, LT (Lieutenant) Jones Bass and Vocals a and KoKoMo Tim Gunther - Drums. in a mater of a week and without any rehearsals The Southside Jukes recorded two complete albums plus some more in an 2 day nonstop session at Chris Green's Pinetone Studios there in Atlanta.
The Southside Jukes performed at all the clubs throughout the south including at The 1994 House of Blues at the Olympics, Jacksonville Blues Festival, Blind Willies, Fat Mat's and many others. During this time The Southside Jukes band led by John Williamson performed with and on the same bill Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Felex Reyes and the Cats, Neil Patman, Snooky Prior, The Shadows, Billy Wright, Grady Fats Jackson (Elmore James band member and legendary 2 sax at one time horn man), Paul Linden, Sean Costello, Danny Mud Cat, Brian Powell, Sweet Betty, The Chatmans and many others The results of this are the two Legendary Cd's John Lee Williamsons Southside Jukes Cool Cool Place to Go and John Lee Williamsons Southside Jukes Down In Hollywood.
John Lee Williamson returned to Sunland California in 1997, where he resides today, when thru another fateful meeting, John "Teamed up With" Demar Dupree a Legendary West Coast Vocalist and Harp Player and after reviewing and revisiting John's roots guidelines and Credo" Music, Girls, and Cars" EG: nothing Modern ever! John with along with Demar instituted their Current Group "The Superstitions" The Superstitions have the same type history starting as a Roots Blues Trio with Demar Dupree on Vocals and Harp John Lee Williamson on Guitar and Vocals and T J Sullivan on Guitar and Vocals The Superstitions produced and released the Cd "Leave all Blades and Pistols at the Door" in late 2004/2005 and then with a full band with the current members, John Lee Williamson - Guitar and Vocals, Demar Dupree - Harp and Vocals, Mighty Mike Recendez Lead Guitar, a phenomenal 24 year old "Guitar Genius" who arrived on the planet with T Bone Walker, Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Nolan, Pete Guitar Lewis even Santana already in his soul and spirit, Dr Jay Stolmack Sax, Rich Torres and then Jp Drums and Legendary ELA. Bassist and Vocalist Sergeo Osolo The Superstitions latest Cd The Superstitions "Kings of Juke Joint Music - Juke Town"! Rest assured that John Lee Williamson is still on a Roots and Blues roll with several more albums planned for release on Conjur Root Records all on Cdbaby.
In 1998 John Lee Williamson recorded a studio album with the top studio musicians in Los Angeles /Ventura California. Them Junko King Hats "Dance Party Takeout! " This group came together at Bobby Bragg's Studio in Ventura California in 1998 and David Chamberlain's Studio in Studio City California; Laid down a whole Album in one night and one day! This renown album contains some of the most eclectic roots originals and tributes to Legends like Bo Diddleys tribute song "Rhythm Gladiator" Them Junko King Hats are John Lee Williamson Production Guitar and Vocals, Bobby Bragg Production Guitar and Vocals, David Morgan ( writer of Ray Charles Songs and The Nelsons Piano man) on Piano and Vocals, David Chamberlain Production and Bass of Bruce Willis and the Heaters and Don and Dewy's, Dewey Terry and many more famous folks, Rich Diamond - Drums also from the same famous groups, Rod "The Rocket" Welk - Harp and Vocals - an alumni of John's Magic Blues Band. Them Junko King Hats are also available on Cdbaby. Them Junko King Hats received a Mavric Music Award in 2007 for Hustler Blues a song penned by John Juke Logan and performed on "Dance Party Takeout!" If you're in Southern California in 2008 you can catch John Williamson and The Superstitions Band at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre California on the last Saturday every month in 2008 and on the BBC Dr Rock and other radio shows world wide. John Lee Williamson - Tradition Passion - Strength; Music, Girls, Cars!, a way of life for Johnny from 1941 till now! From Legion Stadiums of the 50's and Border Radio of Dr Jazzmo and Wolfman Jack to Today! Have Mercy!!
BACK TO SPOTLIGHT
Favorite Artists Songs:
Jimmy Reed
Little Rain Falling
Boogie in the dark
Can't Stand to see you Go
Jimmy Mc Cracklin
Rickmond California
That Ain't Right
Willie Heydon Headon
Let Me Cry
Turn the Hi Fi Down
Louis and Frosty
Train Time
The Platters
Maggie Doesn't Work Here any More
Billy Wright
Change Your Women Change Your Town
Little Richard
Miss Ann
Little Richards Boogie
Don and Dewey
Miss Sue
Justine
Squires
Cindy
Gaylarks
Tell Me Darling
Clovers
Lovey Dovey
The Cliques
Girl in My Dreams
Marvin and Johnny
Tick Tock
Cherry Pie
The Drifters
White Christmas
The Five Keys
Ling Ting Tong
The Chords
Sh Boom
Bp Diddley
Diddey Wah Diddey
Johnny Guitar Watson
MotorHead Baby
Chuck Higgins
Roller Coaster
Somethings Going on in My Room
Pachuko Hop
Duck Walk
Joe Houston
All Night Long
Big Jay Mc Neeley
Ice Water
Johnny Otis
Casting a Spell on you
Hand Jive
Trudy Williams and The Sixteens
Arrow of love
Slim Green and the Cats from Fresno with Al Simmons
Old Folks Boogie
The Jacks
Why Don't You Write Me
The Four Deuces
WPLJ White Port and Lemon Juice
The Spaniels
Play it Cool
There's a Pain in My Heart
The Robins
Ten Days in jail
That's What the good Book Said
What a You Want
Mando and The Chili Peppers
Jim Balcom and the Shades of Rhythm
Coredo Rock
Rosie and the Originals
Angel Baby
Give me Love
The Cadillacs
Let Me Explain
Richard Berry
Get out of the Car
Irvin Big Boy Groves
xxxxx
Wynonie Harris
Fishtail Cadillac
Shake That Thing
Wilbert Harrison
Don't Drop It
The Willows
Church Bells May Ring
The Youngsters
Christmas in Jail
Dreamy Eyes
The Turbans
When You Dance
Willie Egans
Drop Anchor For Me Baby
Willie Joe
Unitar Rock
Cherokee Dance
Penguins
Hey Senorita
Earth Angel
The Crows
Gee
Hank Ballard and the Midnighters
Work With Me Annie
Big Joe Turner
TV Mama
Elmore James
Dust my Blues
Twelve year old boy
Sonny Boy Williamson
Cool Cool Blues
Cool Cool Place to Go
The Southside Jukes
Rocket sixty nine 69
Vernon Green and the Medallions
Buick 59
Did You Have Fun
Edna
Speedin' Speeding
Beyond Dancing With the Stars and American Idol in the Cool!
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