Robert A. Johnson (born in the 1950s) is one of the hottest rock & roll guitarists of the mid-'70s, bluesy and bruising, street smart and sharp, and a gritty songwriter, a rock and blues guitarist based in Memphis, Tennessee who is best known for his work in the 1970s.
Early in his career Johnson played in bands with Jack Holder and Greg Reding, who later became members of Black Oak Arkansas. Johnson's work became well respected by other musicians and at the age of 23 he was auditioned by The Rolling Stones as a possible replacement for Mick Taylor. Between 1974 to 1977 he went on tour as the lead guitarist for John Entwistle's band, known as "John Entwistle's Ox." With his backing band the Bell Heirs, featuring Dave Cochran on bass and Blair Cunningham, he cut an album entitled “Close Personal Friend” for Infinity Records in 1978. One glance at his debut album and you have him pegged for another new waver, just one more in that long line of quirky power poppers who emerged from the post-Costello '70s and were soundly dismissed on the spot. Which leaves “Close Personal Friend” in that awkward space somewhere between the classic it is and the bargain-bin regular it became. Too soulful for the skinny-tie brigade but too confusing for everyone who should have loved it, “Close Personal Friend” features ten stunning rockers that dance on the brittlest edge of American roots, and if any album of that era demands rediscovery, this is it. While his closest contemporary of the time would be folks like Dave Edmunds or Nick Lowe, his fretwork was still rooted in Chuck Berry's Memphis and there was an energy here that could have lit up radio dials had radio been paying attention (and Infinity not $pent itself into oblivion).
Early in his career Johnson played in bands with Jack Holder and Greg Reding, who later became members of Black Oak Arkansas. Johnson's work became well respected by other musicians and at the age of 23 he was auditioned by The Rolling Stones as a possible replacement for Mick Taylor. Between 1974 to 1977 he went on tour as the lead guitarist for John Entwistle's band, known as "John Entwistle's Ox." With his backing band the Bell Heirs, featuring Dave Cochran on bass and Blair Cunningham, he cut an album entitled “Close Personal Friend” for Infinity Records in 1978. One glance at his debut album and you have him pegged for another new waver, just one more in that long line of quirky power poppers who emerged from the post-Costello '70s and were soundly dismissed on the spot. Which leaves “Close Personal Friend” in that awkward space somewhere between the classic it is and the bargain-bin regular it became. Too soulful for the skinny-tie brigade but too confusing for everyone who should have loved it, “Close Personal Friend” features ten stunning rockers that dance on the brittlest edge of American roots, and if any album of that era demands rediscovery, this is it. While his closest contemporary of the time would be folks like Dave Edmunds or Nick Lowe, his fretwork was still rooted in Chuck Berry's Memphis and there was an energy here that could have lit up radio dials had radio been paying attention (and Infinity not $pent itself into oblivion).
Track listing
01. I'll Be Waiting - 4:42
02. Wish Upon A Star - 5:01
03. Guide My Energy (Parts 1 & 2) - 4:27
04. Say Girl - 2:57
05. Responsibility - 3:48
06. Kerri - 2:49
07. Leslie - 4:10
08. Wreck My Mind - 4:07
09. Debbie's Theme - 3:59
10. Tell Me About It, "Slim" - 3:40
Credits
Robert Johnson - Written-By, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Drums
David Cochran - Bass, Vocals, Drums
Blair Cunningham - Vocals, Drums, Percussion
Notes
Genre: Rock
Length: 37:22
Label: Infinity Records
© 1979
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