All the tracks but a rollicking cover of Dylan’s “Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window” are grabbed from Johnson’s thick catalog but there is a sense of danger and recklessness to these versions that make them feel new and fresh. Johnson’s touring band, a crackling four piece unit including dynamic harp player Steve Weston, adds ragged power. He doesn’t bother trying to reach the high notes anymore, but that fits this bar band, gutbucket blues boogie just fine. Johnson’s chunky rhythm and lead lines drive the music and Daltrey’s whiskeyed, often lecherous voice growls and gets inside the music’s groove. Rather, both men tear it up on eleven tough performances that exude a drive and feral energy reminiscent of what they sounded like in their scrappy beginnings over four decades ago. Give Daltrey credit for participating in what is likely Johnson’s last recordings, but this is no tame sympathy project. Feelgood founding guitarist Wilko Johnson, diagnosed with incurable cancer before the week long session that yielded these tracks, has always lived and breathed that vibe. Through eight previous solo albums, Who frontman/singer Daltrey has never consistently captured the essence of gritty blues that informs his lifelong work in that band. Guests on the album are Mick Talbot on keyboards and Steve Weston on harmonica, both of whom were featured on Wilkos last recorded with Roger Daltrey. But in these days of music streaming and recommended playlists it is heartening to feel a whole new audience may discover his music through Daltrey’s interpretations.The Going Back Home title of this one-off collaboration between the two British rock legends indicates its contents. including a number 1 album with Roger Daltrey (Going Back Home). Of course, when Johnson does finally leave us fans may prefer to remember him with the original versions. Wilko Johnson the original Dr Feelgood guitarist, actor (Game of Thrones character. You would also be impressed how “Sneakin’ Suspicion” swaggers - especially the guitar playing which is still as choppy and precise as ever sonically staring and jerking just like Johnson would do on stage.Īll in, this is a solid epitaph to one of rock’s most eccentric and unsung careers. If you hadn’t heard Johnson’s cracked tones on the original “Turned 21” you would surely be taken by the tender, sad melody here. Those unprejudiced by the first versions, however, may listen with more patience. ![]() Wilko Johnson: Im supposed to be dead - music hero defies terminal. Customers unable to attend the rescheduled date should contact their original point of purchase for a refund Buy Tickets. And, for those still in love with the old Essex-blues feel, it may just be too forceful.Roger Daltrey: Musicians cannot earn a living in the record industry. It’s certainly a million miles from the stale tobacco and India Pale Ale mood of the originals. The album was recorded in just one week and the duo are also planning a one off gig at Londons Shepherds Bush Empire on 25 February. Daltrey’s huge voice, you see, does almost sound like he’s from Chicago. His observation goes right to the heart of how you are likely to feel about this album. ![]() Johnson then chipped in, “Don’t matter how hard you try, you can’t sound like you’re from Chicago when you grew up on Canvey Island”. ![]() For the two men have long admired each other and Daltrey remarked in a recent interview how they were inspired by the same American R’n’B.
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