Johnny B Bishop - Harmonica/Vocals
Ed Eastridge -Guitar/Vocals
Bobby Gagnier - Drums
Brian Kennell - Bass
Influences
Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Big Walter, George Smith, Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Rogers, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Williams, Rice Miller, T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulson, Guitar Slim, Magic Sam, BB King, Chuck Berry, Lonnie Johnson, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Django Reinhardt, Sunnyland Slim, Rick Estrin, Steve Guyger, Paul Oscher, Kim Wilson, Rod Piazza, William Clarke, James Cotton, Lightning Hopkins, John Lee Hooker
////// THE CD'S ARE HERE!!! ///////// THE CD'S ARE HERE!!! //////
* What's Being said about the album *
"New Hampshire harmonica ace Johnny Bishop fronts Johnny B and the Goodes on Have Mercy (Big Mo Records). The combo toes the traditional Chicago line, covering Muddy Waters twice, Little Walter three times, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Big Walter (a hard-hitting "Hard Hearted Woman"), rounded out by a pair of originals. Unlike many of their colleagues in the retro camp, the Goodes opt for a sizzling hi-fi mix. Bishop possesses a no-nonsense singing style and a fat harp tone tempered only on the chromatic jazz of "Mood Tuesday". Guitarist Ed Eastridge favors a popping, bright sound and has a jazzman's knack for coy quotations, citing "Day Tripper" during his solo in a pumping, sped-up "Nine Below Zero". – Blues Review Magazine 3/2009
..
“Johnny has command of his harmonica and is able to infuse excitement into his playing, which is what an audience can feel". Rod Piazza
"Johnny Bishop's long time commitment to the true
blues is in full evidence on his debut CD. He's always
been a deep harp man with a big full tone, but I don't
know what took him so long to start singing! He plays
AND sings with a genuine heartfelt sincerity that is
uncommonly refreshing." - Rick Estrin
“It was a real pleasant surprise to receive a CD from Big Mo Records, a label that released some of the finest Blues albums of the 1990s, and to also discover that the talent/dynamics level hasn’t changed one iota in the last decade. Johnny B is actually Johnny Bishop, a long-time Blues Harmonica Ace with over 30 years playing under his belt, and to show just where he stands, his peers, friends and admirers include Joe Filisko, Rod Piazza, Steve Guyger and Paul Oscher.”
“…Bishop then shows his stuff by tackling Little Walter’s most beautiful and difficult instrumental “Blue Lights” and it’s done to perfection with a Johnny B and The Goodes stamp on it. The ‘Harmonica Mafia’ will be talking about this recording and rightly so.”
In any event, Johnny B and The Goodes have just increased their profile by leaps and bounds thanks to an excellent CD and chances are they’ll be traveling most of 2009. This CD should get them over to Europe.
Andy Grigg – Real Blues Magazine
“After working for years at the Hohner company and personally tending to the harmonica needs of numerous great players, one would expect that the experience, knowledge and abilities amassed by Johnny B would be immense. A listen to this new CD is proof that he made the most of that priceless opportunity and is well on his way to making his own distinctive mark in the blues harmonica history books.” - Joe Filisko
"When it comes to classic harmonica blues you have this sound nailed just right, Johnny. It’s obvious that you have been listening to old school bluesmen such as Junior Wells or Little Walter. You are all about tone and mood, I like that a lot. You make songs like “Blue Lights”, “Nine Below Zero” or “It’s Too Late” sound fresh again. But from all those cool covers I like your song the most, “Mood Tuesday”. It’s so unique, with a little bit of French and Spanish flavors. Congratulations on that. Together with a tight group of seasoned musicians and some strong singing “Have Mercy” is a CD well worth listening and having in one’s blues library. Good stuff!"
Przemek Draheim - Blues Radio Show Host - Poland
website: www. blues. pl/draheim
