Memphis Still Got Soul (Johnny Rawls 2011)

As you already know, the hard working man that Johnny Rawls is, you shouldn't be surprised that he has a new CD ready for April 2012 release, cocked and ready to go, titled "Soul Survivor."

"Memphis Still Got Soul" may be his best cd yet. Like Rawls' previous releases, Memphis Still Got Soul re-creates the soul drenched Stax-Volt sound, and like those great old records, the lyrics are true-to-life poetry delivered with sincerity.  The playing and singing on this cd are top-notch.  This is a great release---it should continiue Johnny Rawls' string of BMA awards.  Winning soul blues."
Sunday Night Blues Project - June 2011

"Memphis and Rawls haven't lost their soul at all as anyone can clearly hear on Memphis Still Got Soul. He shows that classic blues and soul haven't gone anywhere with songs anyone can relate to no matter who they are.  Rawls better get ready for some more awards with this new album."  MuzikReviews.com - June 2011

"If you like good soul music--that sweet soul music--then turn the spotlight on the latest effort from Johnny Rawls.  From the drum beat and horn section intro of the title track you may feel like you stumbled upon the Stax Records archives ...you get the flavor and feel of soul music at its zenith.  This is a strong CD.  Spotlight on Johnny Rawls, y'all. Oh yeah.  Oh, oh yeah!"  Blueswax-April 2011
 
"Its been a while since we've had the pleasure of hearing anything quite as soulful as the latest from Johnny Rawls, Memphis Still Got Soul. While the April release of Memphis Still Got Soul was too late to garner a nomination for the Blues Music Awards cojing up in Memphis in just a few weeks, you can bet you'll be seeing Rawls among next year's soul award nominees." BluesPower-April 2011
 
"Soul-flavored blues delivered in Johnny's smooth, deeply-soulful voice.  This set harkens back to his early days and the cuts evoke memories of the heyday of Stax, Hi, Sun and the sounds that permeated Beale Street.  Johnny is no stranger to the Blues Music Awards, having won 2010 Soul Blues Album of the Year for Ace of Spaces. Given the strong material included in Memphis Still Got Soul, he's right on track to make it two in a row!"
Nashville Blues Society-April 2011

Ace of Spades  (Catfood Records 2009)

    Winner Best Soul Blues Album of the Year
                        Blues Foundation
    Nominated Best Male Soul Blues Artist
                        Blues Foundation
    Nominated Album of the Year
           Living Blues Magazine Reader's Poll
    #4 on the Living Blues Radio Chart
                        Top 20 for three months
    #1 on Bluesbeat in Australia

"Johnny Rawls has carved a niche for himself as a master of soul-blues, delivering uptempo songs with solid pop hooks, as well as smooth vocals with just the right touch of grit and Stax-style horns."  Blues Revue

"Johnny  Rawls has matured into a singer of enormous depth.  His understanding of blues and soul centers his work on the song and delivery, and that alone separates him from the rest of the pack."  Blues Revue

"Rawls deserves national soul stardom...his blues/soul synthesis is seamless."  Living Blues

Red Cadillac     (Catfood Records 2008)
     
    Nominated Best Soul Blues Album of the
             Year      Blues Foundation
    Nominated Best Soul Blues Artist of the
            Year        Blues Foundation
    Charted #1 on Living Blues radio chart
    Critics Award for Best Album of the
            Year        Living Blues Magazine

"Building on his impeccable background as a guitarist and bandleader of soul legends such as Little Johnny Taylor and O.V. Wright, Johnny Rawls has proven to be one of the most dependable artist on today's soul-blues scene.  Over the years, Rawls has established himself as a master of the mid-tempo soul groove.  If you've come to associate the name of Johnny Rawls with quality soul-blues, you won't be disappointed with Red Cadillac ." 
Jim DeKoster   Living Blues 

 Heart & Soul (Deep South Soul 2006) 

Nominated "Best Soul Blues Album 2007" by Blues Foundation

 **** 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

"Johnny Rawls has the earthiness of B.B. King and the Memphis of Al Green."
The London Times

His gritty, seasonal vocals, wrote Blues Revue, follow in the grand tradition of Southern soul giants such as Otis Redding, James Carr and Rawls' former employer, O.V. Wright."

"...Throughout, Rawls' guitar work is characteristically tasteful yet emotionally intense.  In almost every way, this is Johnny Rawls' most fully realized outing yet.
David Whitesis   Living Blues Review

  No Boundaries (Deep South Soul
                       2005)  Catfood Records

*** 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