Johnny Rawls
"Keep the Blues Alive"
Nominated "Best Soul Blues Album 2007" by Blues Foundation
Heart & Soul (Deep South Soul 2006)
**** 1/2 "You can't re-invent the wheel but you can still make top of the line tires. Mr. Johnny Rawls has not invented a new genre of music but he's doing it as good as anyone ever has. With an impressive catalog of 9 studio albums full of original Soul Blues ranging from his classic "Can't Sleep At Night" thru his critically-acclaimed 2005 outing, "No Boundaries" Rawls has never succumbed to fads or flavor-of-the-month production tricks. He just makes Deep Soul Blues like they did in the 60's.
"Heart & Soul" is his same mix of midtempo Southern Soul & Blues, laced with horns, Cropper-esque guitar licks and raspy singing but it's as fresh and stirring as it was in the 60's. In fact, the knockout "Missing You" is on par with Clarence Carter's "Slip Away", an obvious influence. The addition of sweet harmonica (Michael Kakuk) is an extra hook to what is already a three and a half minute ear massage. "You're My Girl" is a quick booty shakin' romp featuring an extended guitar solo my Mike Kileen. "Still A Woman" is a classic Deep Soul ballad highlighting the earnest ache to Rawls' seasoned voice. Perhaps the cut that'll garner the most attention is the driving "true real story" song "Damn Cocaine". A bass heavy chugger with a perfectly timed stop and start that describes a friend's descent into addiction. "You can have fortune and fame and still get hooked on cocaine". Fortunately the song has a happy ending.
Rawls has made plenty of good music throughout his career but as he himself says: "This is the real Johnny Rawls". Dylann DeAnna Blues Critic 2006
No Boundaries Deep South Soul 2005
Top Cat
Catfood
*** 1/2 Johnny Rawls discovered a band named Kay Kay & The Rays in 1999 and produced a CD by them, the acclaimed "Texas Justice". The band split up last year so Rawls called on The Rays to record the aptly titled "No Boundaries". Rawls made a name for himself with a classic Memphis soul blues sound, but here he mixes things up with touches of roots, folk, rock & gospel with a live band feel. All songs were written by bassist Bob Trenchard and they take Rawls off the beaten path. The refrain on the opening "Show Me The Way" sounds surprisingly like 60s-era Joe Cocker with Rawls' gritty vocals and spirited female backups. The inspirational "Keep The Faith" begins like something from the Windham Hill catalogue with a new age acoustic guitar intro. Meanwhile "Fallen Bird" features a Spanish guitar. "Even Though You're In Heaven" is a strong piano & acoustic ballad that radio may embrace. "Train Keeps Rolling" is a fine blues shuffle with some tasty piano licks. The cautionary "Long Black Car" has Rawls warning "You won't get to heaven the way you're bound" or "in a long black car". The best way of describing this cut is "country reggae". If you're waiting for a straight Southern Soul number you won't find it but all the songs got some soul. It may take Rawls fans a couple of listens to warm up to this but there's definite crossover potential. Dylann DeAnna Blues Critic 2005
"No Boundaries" erupts from your speaker like a crackling fireball." JazzReview.com
"Rawls proves why he is the show stopping presence he has become" Southwest Blues
"Rawls' most eclectic release to date. Rawls responds to the Rays influences by releasing his most impressive CD to date." Blues in Britain Magazine
"No Boundaries" is powerful and inspired, replete with top-notch instrumental and vocal performances and a superb, soulful batch of songs." Blues Revue
Partners & Friends Rock House
2004
*** 1/2 Both Roy Roberts & Johnny Rawls are well-respected artist/producers/songwriters/guitarists/label owners and obviously they are friends who wanted to record a project together. Both are masters of retro-soul blues,country soul, authentic R & B and deep southern soul. (go find Rawls' CD with LC Luckett called "Can't Sleep At Night" for a lost classic). The new disc "Partners and Friends" serves up 10 earnest, good time songs that will delight fans of either. ...The main highlights: "Don't Let This Love Slip Away", "Reach Out" & "Can't You See" are mid tempo horn-fueled soul heaven. ...The Carolina "beach music" scene gets two new prospects with "Shaggin' Down in Carolina" & "Let's Go to the Beach". This is a no-brainer purchase for fans of this genre! Dylann DeAnna Blues Critic
Lucky Man Deep South Sound
2002
**** Rawls starts his own label and releases his best disc to date. The title track and "Real Love" are absolutely perfect retro deep soul radio singles. In fact, the whole disc is pure pop/soul heaven. There's horn-fueled numbers like "Call Me" & "Still Together" and bass-heavy grooves like "I Need Some Love" & "Got To Be Careful". Even better is the slow soul of "Picture In A Frame", which recalls his great work with LC Luckett. Rawls' daughter Destini Rawls sings backups on this album. Once again this music ain't unbounded and sweaty, it's professional and taut. But it's still soul. Dylann DeAnna Blues Critic
"Lucky Man" is an auspicious start for Johnny Rawls' new label and yet another satisfying record in a log and fruitful career" Bad Dog Blues, WITR (Rochester, NY)
"Johnny Rawls first album for his new label Deep South Sound is everything one has come to expect from the talented performer, plus some." Southwest Blues
"What can I say except buy this CD. It really will make you smile." Blues Bytes
Get Up and Go JSP 2002
The Best of JSP Years
*** 2 Disc anthology featuring some of Rawls best solo sides and best productions of other artists on the label. Disc one is Rawls, which includes "Bad Reputation", "Here We Go" and more. Disc 2 features Phil Guy on "Say What You Mean", Johnnie Marshall on "Jodi Man", "A Bluesman" by George Stancell and tracks by daughter Destini Rawls, Willie Edwards, Percy Strother, Chris Beard and Lonnie Shields.
Put Your Trust In Me JSP 2001
" Johnny Rawls is one of the best artists mining the soul-blues genre today laying down consistently pleasing records and blazing a trail of great live shows wherever he plays." Bad Dog Blues, WITR (Rochester, NY)
"(Rawls) emphatic, soulful vocals would make most anyone a believer." Blues News (New Zealand)
"There aren't many better singers on the scene today than this Mississippi native." Blues Bytes
"Handy nominators take note: Put Your Trust In Me is one of the year's top soul recordings." Blues Review
"You can indeed put your trust in Johnny Rawls to deliver a worthwhile album every time out." Living Blues 
My Turn To Win JSP 1999
**** New set highlighted by two of his best songs: The bouncy "Lucy" and pop/R&B confection "Bad Reputation". Perhaps his best JSP record. For lovers of authentic modern R & B you can't go wrong with Johnny Rawls. No drum machines, no programming. While his sound isn't lowdown and greasy, let alone raucous with gospel-fevor like classic Atlantic/Stax sides, the smooth urban grooves embodies the should of rhythm and blues. Rawls is a perfectionist in the studio and his sound is clean. Dylann DeAnna Blues Critic
"The man is a pro who can write, sing and play the strings." Blueshound.net
"a carefully crafted package loaded with attractive soul efforts." Living Blues
"...a stunning soul record with an infectious groove throughout." Bad Dog Blues, WITR (Rochester, NY)
