John Campbelljohn
Album: Chin Up
Label: Nood
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.campbelljohn.ca/

The newest release from Cape Breton Island natïve John Campbelljohn is "Chin Up" and features 12 original tracks covering a myriad of topics and sub-genres all highlighting his prowess as a guitarist and vocalist. From the up-beat opening number " The Mumble Boogie " the progressive blues sounds of " Meet My Maker ", the rocking blues track " Castaway ", and the folk blues based " How Stupid Is That ", Cambelljohn proves with each song why he's been deemed a "guitar-god-in-the-making".

He has received multiple industry awards, critical acclaim and a European fanbase for the fluency of his slide guitar playing, During his career Cambelljohn has been featured on recordings and live shows that include names like Sting, Joni Mitchell, Emmy Lou Harris and Leonard Cohen. Rich vocals and distinctive slide guitar playing has made him a favourite at music festivals in Eastern Canada & Europe.

His sophisticated and progressive approach to song writing gives him a distinctive edge, mixing rock, blues, reggae, Celtic & country into his signature style. The result is a sound that can pummel the audience into submission one moment, while captivating them with its subtlety the next.

Chin Up is a full electric album, recorded at his home studio in Cole Harbour, NS. It's really a showcase of all his styles that he's been developing over the years. There's lots of guitar, his sharp, rock-edged electric leads, and his slide guitar that everybody raves about. There are several heavy blues songs that border on rock, with a southern blues influence. He'll stick in a little reggae some country influences, boogie-woogie, and some fun too. "Fantasico Supremo " has a lot of nonsense phrases but swings for sure. And " Good Morning Mr. Blue Sky " has a happy-go-lucky theme, a light and fun reggae groove, and music pal David Myles guesting on trumpet. Stan Carew, also a long-standing recording and performing artist, sings backgrounds, and co-wrote a full half of the album, six of twelve cuts.

Fans of John Campbelljohn know what's coming, those who don't know what's coming will soon be fans.

Justin Stone