John Primer

The Soul of A Blues Man

Blues House Productions

Alonso “John” Primer was born in Mississippi but moved to Chicago where he played the blues clubs on Chicago’s south side;  he was a regular at Theresa’s Lounge at 48^th and South Indiana Avenue. He was also a member of Willie Dixon’s Chicago Blues All-Stars and The Muddy Waters Band. After Muddy’s death he joined Magic Slim and The Teardrops. Primer has been nominated for thirteen Blues Music Awards and received at least one nomination each year since 2012. Primer won a BMA in 2012 for his work on the album “Chicago Blues: A Living History the Revolution Continues” and again in 2016 as “The Traditional Blues Male Artist of The Year”. Primer was the lead vocalist and featured artist on the 2016 Grammy nominated “Muddy Waters 100” project.

Under his own name Primer has recorded for the Wolf, Earwig, Warner, Telarc, and Delta Groove record labels; and on his own Blues House Productions. On Delta Groove he recorded two widely acclaimed albums with the BMA winning harmonic master Bob Corritore; the latest being 2017’s “Ain’t Nothing You Can Do!” . This new album on Blues House highlights his history as a soul blues singer.

The album is recorded with Primer’s own “Real Deal Blues Band”. Included are Primer, guitar and vocals; Steve Bell, harmonica; Ronnie Hicks, keyboards; Charlie Kimble, sax; Chuckaluck, bass; Lenny Media, drums and special guest guitarist Billy Flynn. The album is produced by Felix Reyes at the House of Tone Studio.

Primer has written three new songs for this album, “You Shouldn’t Tell a Lie”; “Please Don’t Leave Me Baby”, and “Meet Me in The Park”. Included also are new versions of nine selected covers that Primer has been performing since the 70’s when he first began his music career.

“Slip Away” was recorded by Clarence Carter in 1968 at producer Rick Hall’s Fame Recording Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama; two years later it was recorded by Johnnie Taylor. “Help Me Through The Day” written by Leon Russell was recorded by Freddie King in 1973. Toussaint McCall’s “Nothing Takes The Place of You” was first recorded by William Bell on the 1967 album “The Soul of A Bell. “Stagger Lee” credited to Harold Logan was recorded by Lloyd Price with the Don Costa Orchestra in 1958. “Get Your Money Where You Spend Your Time” written by Tommy Tate was recorded by Bobby “Blue” Bland in 1978. “Rainy Night in Georgia” the Tony Joe White written classic was a hit for Brook Benton in 1970. Larry Addison’s “Members Only” was recorded by Bobby “Blue” Bland in 1985.

These songs are well performed by Primer however the album also documents their influence on him. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and equally historical recording.

Richard Ludmerer