Johnny J. Blair's Groovy, Evocative "Street"

Johnny J. Blair is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer who has worked with artists such as The Monkees, Buddy & Julie Miller and Al Stewart. He's also released terrific albums such as Door in The Water and Grateful. Blair's eclectic sound encompasses soul, pop, rock, jazz, and world music. He recently re-released his 2011 album I Like The Street, and this superb disc is a prime example of his eclectic talents.

 The disc kicks off with the title track, a percussive blast of rock and roll that amply displays Blair’s gifts as a vocalist, guitarist and lyricist. 

That electrified opener is followed up by Blair’s fantastic version of The Velvet Underground track, “What Goes On.” Then there’s the very cool “If I Could Dress Like Clive Own,” a Blair original that’s got deep 1960s vibes, which features stellar work from Bret Alexander on guitar and Ron Simasek on drums. That dynamic duo is part of an amazing group of players helping Blair out on the disc, including Tim Breon on guitar, Keith Kavanough on drums, and Felipe Torres on percussion.

I Like The Street is filled with incredible tunes, including the groovy spoken word tale “Big Town Winding Down,” and the mournful “Kept On Walking (Pivotal Moments In Time).” The 80s tinged ballad “Even In The Night,” and the 1950s flavored “Night Garden” have a Latin flavor that brings atmosphere and color to both songs. If you're looking to get your secret agent fix, check out "Spying In Barcelona." Of course, no self-respecting rocker could resist the chance to really rock out a bit, and the high-energy, penultimate track “Love That’s Here To Stay” fits the bill nicely.

These evocative songs are Blair’s deeply felt stories of love, loss and redemption, based on his personal experiences, and the people he observed, while living and working in San Francisco. There’s not a false note on this remarkable album. If you’re looking to discover a new artist whose music you can dive into and truly experience, Johnny J. Blair’s I Like The Street is a great place to start. For more on Johnny J. Blair, aka the “Singer At Large,” and to check out his music, head over to his bandcamp page at https://johnnyjblairsingeratlarge.bandcamp.com/.