Pride Of Taranna Series Pt. 14: BMV #14, 3-For-$10 Deal #9 – Jonny Lang – Lie To Me
I owned this way back in the day, loved it then. Hadn’t heard it in years, so I thought I’d take a plunk on it as part of the 3-for-$10 deal. And yup, this is the one that was his major label debut, released one day before his 16th birthday. I mean seriously, what was I doing for my 16th birthday? Definitely not releasing a smoking hot major label blues album that sounds well beyond my years, that’s for damn sure.
From the track list, it seems he only (co-) wrote two tracks of the 12, the rest are covers, of Sonny Boy Williamson, Ike Turner, Tinsley Ellis, among others. No matter, they’re all solid tracks. There’s an almost Robert Cray-style safety to what he does, a very manicured sound to his blues, but this is in no way a complaint. I could listen to a slow burner like Darker Side (below) all friggin’ day long. As a matter of fact, I did!
Hit It Or Quit It? Hit!
keepsmealive 
^ mostly
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I’ll say hi to Jonny tonight for you guys
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I saw he was playing tonight, with Chris Robinson?!
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Rik Emmett & Res 9 doing mosy Triumph songs
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Cool! Hi Jonny!
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Inherited this and a few others from a buddy. He had a massive blues collection. (Just checked out you trip with Lebrain. Great TV)
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‘Had’ a massive blues collection? Hopefully ‘still has!’
Thanks, we had a blast in the big shitty, and Mike always does a great job on the videos.
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“Had”. A very cool guy that loved the blues. Open Minded to new artists. I was surprised he had Lang in his collection. I think of him often when I listen to music.
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It’s good to have friends who introduce you to new tunes. We try to be that here at the KMA, because we get a boatload of recommends off all the great blogs here in the Community!
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PS I love those videos. A road/buddy flick.
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If you go back through Mike’s site, there are a few years of them…
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Oh yeah. ‘dis is a good ‘un.
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It is!
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^ arghhhh
I give up. Fat thumbs. Tiny phone keyboard.
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^…early on…
(Eordpress: Fix this lack of repairing our mistakes in the comments ffs.)
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Never really got the Jonny Lang thing. A mate of mine liked him… I don’t doubt he can play, but I just found him just a wee bit pedestrian. I guess there’s nowt wrong with playing safe at 15…
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Yeah it’s why I mentioned the Robert Cray thing. I dunno about pedestrian, though. He still let’s ‘er rip. Try the track I linked! False ending and all!
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Maybe pedestrian is the wrong word. I just mean it doesn’t ever feel like it’s going to hit a high… it never excites me. But, hey, different strokes!
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Heck, when I was 16, I couldn’t have done anything resembling anything close to this. On any instrument!
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When I saw Jonny live I loved his mix of blistering guitar songs and his soft side.
I will be delving into his music more.
Perhaps it is worth another listen. Sometimes later reflection can change early perception. ( I think I just coined a phrase)
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It’s like the Bonamassa lad, I guess. I like the live stuff I’ve watched / listened to, but the albums just don’t move me.
… and with so much music (so much good music) to explore and check out, I just don’t have the motivation to spend time with stuff that just doesn’t appeal to me and there’s nothing to convince me that I’m missing out.
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I got spoiled seeing Bonamassa eatly on at a small club in Buffalo.
My mind was blown. However, I agree, he will never be able to replicate that level in a recorded work.
I was thinking of doing some posts comparing bands/musicians live vs. recorded.
Some sound.awesome live but bland on record. Some kick ass on record and suck live.
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See, that kinda thing is what I’m talking about. I’d sooner ignore the recorded work and just stick with catching live performances. Me, I know I’ll never buy a Bonamassa record. But I’m happy to watch YouTube footage of him play and say “man, that dude is incredible”.
And I’d be interested in reading some posts like that. Some bands blow my mind live… and I like the studio albums, too.
Years ago I went to see the Kaiser Chiefs with my brother. I thought they were brilliant live. Loads of energy. The album bored me. Slick and just lacking a spark. Same songs.
Danny & The Champions of the World have been one of my favourite bands for a while. Albums are great, but live, they are something else. Outstanding. Extended jams, too.
The worst live experiences are when a band plays everything spot on. Sounding rehearsed. No deviation from the script.
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We’ll quote you!
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Lang is the best. To think how young he was is insane. He is even better now as he has learned so much more and his latest release was awesome. Definitely a HIT IT!!!
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Yeah it was him and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, the next generation of youngsters ready to lead the blues into the future. I sure wanna get my mitts on the new one.
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…and Joe Bonamassa too
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Nice one!
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Everything I have read about the new album tells me I need it.
I have no idea Why I don’t.
I have held it in my hand many times, but always put it back.
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Grab it if you see it for sure.
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Lang played Toronto on Friday, one of my bosses went!
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One of your Boppin’s went too.
🙂
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Awesome, Bop! Was it as great as I imagine it was?
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It was wicked. Lang was the opener and a bunch of people were in the merch/food/beer area when he was on.
I got there late because of work but caught most of his set.
Really great. He can do a wicked rocker, and a touching ballad justice.
Headliner Buddy Guy was his usual awesome self. He is touring his new album of covers (which by the way includes Jagger, Richards, Beck and James Bay as guests). So he would say stuff like “don’t blame me, I didn’t write this shit.”
Once when the audience was invited to sing along Buddy stopped the song and said “I just came from a show in Japan, and you know what……they didn’t fuck up the song like you just did.”
Hahaha. He is a funny old dude. Still talking about sexual innuendo is his 80’s. Fun times.
Speaking of Jonny Lang, he is coming to Kitchner Aug 9 with Rik Emmett and Res 9. (Hint to Mikey and anyone else. Bring a lawn chair and listen for free in Victoria Park). I think I might get thr VIP tix as a birthday presents for myself. 🙂
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Buddy Guy is the real deal. You’re lucky to see him. We went to his club in Chicago one night but he wasn’t there (dammit). I’ll check out his new record for sure (for Stones, obvs.). VIP tix to Lang would rule. Have fun!
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Cool! I’ll bet it was a solid gig!
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Caught Lang on this album/tour when he opened for Aerosmith on their Nine Lives Tour…
Cool point was when Lang jammed with Aero on ‘Last Child’ during Aero’s set…
Good Times
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So cool you got to see him on this tour, Deke! Wow that would’ve been brilliant. My memory tells me he also opened for the Stones around this time? If that’s true, imagine! Aero AND the Stones! Some teenage life!
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Yeah it gets better than that!
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