John Weston

b. 1927, Lee County, Arkansas, USA. If Weston is a somewhat diffident musician, it may be because he did not perform in public until after his 60th birthday. Nevertheless, his debut album consists of original and accomplished material, in stark contrast to a number of other late developers who struggle to interpret rather than invent. Weston has a childhood memory of Sonny Boy ‘Rice Miller’ Williamson cutting across his parents’ farm on his way to country suppers and juke-joints, with a belt of harmonicas strapped across his chest. Later, he heard Miller’s King Biscuit Time on KFFA out of Helena, while he pursued a number of jobs as a farmer, butcher, car mechanic and carpenter. His own harmonica technique was developed with the assistance of Willie Cobbs. Weston made his public debut during the 70s, as a member of the Speckled Rhythms, a family band led by Jobie Kilzer. After his 1988 solo debut, Weston received the Blues Foundation’s Lucille Award the following year. Two members of his band Blues Force, guitarist Troy Broussard and bass player James ‘Famous’ Jones, also spent time in bands led by Cobbs. Weston sings in a gently inflected style reminiscent of Little Milton and essays undemonstrative solos on both chromatic and diatonic harmonicas.
© TiVo