Dennis Johnson
Blues guitarist and singer Dennis Johnson has built a reputation as an acclaimed slide player whose work traverses modern electric blues, country-blues, gospel, and various other roots traditions. Since debuting with 2010's Slide Show, the California native has become a staple of American and British blues and roots charts. His 2017 album Rhythmland pushed him into new territory with funky Latin, Americana, and folk influences. Johnson followed it in 2022 with Revelation, a hard-charging blues-rock album that marked a tonal shift for the veteran artist.
Growing up in the Bay Area, Johnson was drawn to early rock and blues players and began teaching himself how to play the guitar in his teens. Starting with Chuck Berry, he then discovered blues greats like Roy Rogers and Robert Johnson, both of whom became significant influences. He was particularly drawn to slide guitar and focused his efforts on building up his technique. He began playing locally but was unsure of whether or not to pursue a full-time career as a musician. As it turned out, a bit of advice from a bona fide blues legend, Honey Boy Edwards, gave him the push he needed and in 2010, Johnson released his debut album, Slide Show.
From the start, he incorporated a range of styles into his music including delta, country, and jump blues, a trend he continued on his second album, 2014's Slide Avenue. Like his debut, it drew acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic and even topped the Roots Music Report's radio chart. Amid national tours, Johnson resumed writing and recording, adding new styles to his oeuvre and challenging himself as a player. Released in 2017, Rhythmland -- credited to Dennis Johnson and the Mississippi Ramblers -- had a lively, almost funky feel and pulled from folk, Latin, rock, and blues. For his fourth album, Johnson shifted focus entirely to electric guitar, seeking a specific tone that came from the legendary Fender Tweed Deluxe amplifier. Working with a top pro team that included drummer Anton Fig, bassist Bob Fridzema, piano/organist Jonathan Stoyanoff, and engineer Chris Bell, he recorded 2022's Revelation, a set of fiery songs that topped the Worldwide Roots Music Report's Blues Rock album chart.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
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Discography
9 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Rhythmland
Dennis Johnson, The Mississippi Ramblers
Blues - Released by Root Tone Records on 15 Sep 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Wie geil ist das denn (Mallorca Version)
Schlager - Released by La Ola Music on 25 May 2018
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wie geil ist das denn (WM Version)
Schlager - Released by La Ola Music on 25 May 2018
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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