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Welcome to the Blues In Britain archive section. Here you can find some extracts of articles and reviews from Blues In Britain magazine (and its predecessor, Blueprint). We'll be adding more in future so check back here periodically for more good reading!

Here's a live gig review, below. Use the links on the right to access the rest of the archive.

The Rockin' Johnny Band, 100 Club. 18/06/00

He may be a skinny, long-haired white boy called Johnny but he knows how to play the blues. If you cut Johnny Burgin in half (a passing breeze could do the job), you would find the word "Chicago" running right through him like a stick of sea-side rock.

This was the first ever and only UK date for these Delmark recording artists on their current European tour. They were a marvellous alternative to the football on this sultry evening.

Their style is pure post-war Chicago and totally spontaneous; Johnny prefers to work without a set list and chooses the numbers, sometimes unrehearsed, to match the mood of the audience. His guitar style covers Earl Hooker, Otis Rush and everything in-between. A much loved and battered Rickenbacker was a sixteenth birthday present from his mum.

Following an opening instrumental, a consummate rendition of Joe Liggins' "Champagne" set the standard for the rest of the evening. A name check of the other band members was a revelation; on rhythm guitar, Rick Kreher, ex-Muddy sideman; John Sefner on bass and, wait for it, on drums, Kenny Smith, son of the legendary Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and every bit a chip off the old block.

The band really found their metier in the second set, which opened with Muddy's "Sail On", and some sensitive slide from Johnny. Drummer Kenny took the spotlight for "I Don't Know" and the obligatory "Hoochie Coochie Man", his gritty, down-home vocals were reminiscent of his dad. "Cut You Loose" had a definite Booker T-ish "Green Onions" groove. A smoochy version of "Blues After Hours" featured some excellent brush-work from Kenny Smith.

The Rockin' Johnny Band is unquestionably the finest Chicago blues ensemble that the 100 Club has seen in a long time. Make sure you catch them next time they are in town. - Norma Victor