Blues musician brings style, new music to performance

By Kathy Padberg
Staff Writer

Top blues musician Johnny Rawls will be "Back in the Arms" of Lafayette to promote his new album, "My Turn To Win," and entertain music lovers of the area.

He will be performing from 10 p.m to 2:30 a.m Nov. 26 and 27 at the Knickerbocker Saloon.

His music, sometimes referred to as southern boogie blues, is of an unusual style that few musicians exhibit and play well. "It is a southern tradition of raw down home blues with a twist and a little soul," said Liv Andreas of Liv It Up Publicity and publicist for Rawls. "The music integrates modern styles with rhythm and blues to produce a sound that is traditional but unique."

That unusual sound is heard throughout "My Turn To Win." It is centered on a smooth sound that draws listeners in by relaxing and then intriguing them with soulful and meaningful lyrics.

The title track is one of the best on the album, with a good sound not only musically but lyrically as well. That is what is so great about his music, said Nick Vukas, owner of the Knickerbocker Saloon. "The lyrics make sense, and he has something to say."

The majority of the album’s other tracks deal with love and the ways Rawls has lost, gained or even avoided it.

Rawls sings of lost love in his song "Can’t Stop Thinkin’ ‘Bout You." Again the song begins with a powerful instrumental interlude, this time setting the mood of the song with smoother attacks and a melancholy tone that carries through the entire piece. Rawls sings of living without someone he cares for and what that causes him to do and feel.

Rawls exhibits a range of emotions throughout the album, giving reason to believe he is more than just a jazz musician. He is also a human being who experiences the same life situations as the rest of the world. His astonishing talent lies in the idea that he can take all of those life experiences and sing about them in a style that almost everyone can enjoy.

"Even if you are not familiar with soul blues, you will be impressed with Johnny Rawls," said Vukas. "I guarantee if you come to see the show, you will not leave disappointed."

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