Johnny Littlejohn - Slide 'em On Down: Chicago Slide Guitar 1966-1992

"People was coming from places like Joliet, Chicago Heights, different places, they'd listen, they'd sit there and drink, they'd listen to me." Johnny Littlejohn "Johnny Littlejohn was a dazzling slide guitarist heavily influenced by Elmore James. His versatility and professionalism made him popular on the Chicago blues scene." James Segrest & Mark Hoffman "Today's blues in the small bars still draws strength from the slide guitar style, whose shrill whine rings loud and clear from the taverns. Homesick James, J.B. Hutto, Hound Dog Taylor and David 'Honeyboy' Edwards have always played with a slide. But a newer name is Johnny Littlejohn (John Funchess) from Lake, Mississippi, who although part of the Gary scene in the early '50s, when he played with John Brim as well as with Jimmy Reed and Eddie Taylor had to wait until 1965* to get on record." Mike Rowe, 'Chicago Breakdown' Like many Chicago bluesmen, Johnny's first 45s were recorded for small labels and when Mike Rowe wrote 'Chicago Breakdown' in 1973 Johnny Littlejohn was still seen as a 'newer name'. Yet he had recorded a well-received album for Arhoolie Records - 'Chicago Blues Stars' five years earlier. He had also tried out for Chess Records in 1969 (although the session remained in the can), tracks from his Arhoolie album appeared on blues compilations and he had a solid reputation among African Americans who still bought blues records and frequented Chicago's blues clubs, bars and lounges.