Johnny Laws – Blues Burnin’ In My Soul

"It's a real shame that Johnny Laws has been unjustly ignored in the past . . . . This is an enjoyable CD . . . . Full marks to those folks at Electro-Fi." - Blues & Rhythm magazine, November 1999

Listed by Blues Beat magazine as one of the top 15 blues CDs of 1999.

"Johnny Laws has a smooth, silky voice, at times almost a whisper, then rising into a falsetto, and falling back again into gentle expressiveness. . . . His forte is as an interpreter of songs, insinuating himself inside the lyrics, often revealing previously undiscovered facets. . . . His appeal is in a delivery that seems so deceptively effortless." - Juke Blues magazine, Autumn 1999

"Chicago vocalist Johnny Laws sings with a smooth, reedy timbre that works well. He attains a refreshing vocal sureness and power. There are enough good moments on this disc to recommend it." - Living Blues magazine, November/December 1999

"Guitarist/vocalist Johnny Laws is currently on the road to ‘discovery’ by a larger audience. His smoldering disc, Blues Burnin’ In My Soul, should certainly add some fuel to his growing reputation. Laws is in total command here, with his very smooth vocal abilities hooked up to an appealing guitar style. Inspired by Sam Cooke and Brook Benton, Laws’ smooth singing with a touch of grit brings to mind the late Johnny Adams or perhaps Fenton Robinson. The sometimes jazz-inflected guitar work (an early influence was Kenny Burrell), while mellow on the surface, has a smoldering undercurrent of higher energy . . . It’s always a pleasure to happen upon an artist of this caliber, especially while he’s still alive, performing and recording. Blues fans are in for a solid surprise on this one." - Tali Madden, Blues Access magazine, Spring 2000

"South Side Chicago fave Johnny Laws . . . winning paudits for his seductive, soul-drenched blues." --The Toronto Star, April 9, 1999

"Blues Burnin' In My Soul is an exceptional display of his enormous gifts, containing more than sixty minutes of the gentlest, sexiest blues you’ll ever hear. . . One of the year’s very best!" - Blues Beat magazine, fall 1999

Track Listing:
1. Driving Wheel - 3:50   2. Sweet Sixteen - 3:13   3. Part Time Love - 6:00   4. Bad Bad Whiskey - 4:02   5. Steal Away - 5:14   6. Ain't That Lovin' You Baby - 3:40   7. Little by Little - 4:48   8. I'll Take Care of You - 6:26   9. Honest I Do - 4:30   10. Don't Drive Me Away - 5:18   11. Don't Worry About Me - 4:30   12. Easy Lovin' - 4:15   13. Sadie - 6:43

Personnel:
Johnny Laws (vocals, guitar) , Chris Whiteley (trumpet, harmonica, guitar on 10), pedal-steel guitar) , Tyler Yarema (piano, organ) , John Deeham (saxophone) , Victor Bateman (electric & upright bass) ,
Bucky Berger (drums)