Alonzo “Lonnie” Johnson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1899 into a musical family. By his later teenage years Johnson was performing professionally in a variety of settings. In 1925 Johnson won a blues contest in St. Louis with the prize being a contract with OKeh Records. The 130 or so recordings he made for OKeh between 1925-1932 sold well and cemented his vaunted status as a pioneering figure in blues and jazz guitar. Django Reinhardt, B.B. King, Charlie Christian, Buddy Guy, and Bob Dylan are just a few of the legendary figures to cite Lonnie Johnson as a considerable influence.

Presented here are meticulous first-to-last-note transcriptions of all his known solo instrumentals, three of his solo vocal/guitar numbers, and three of his stunning accompaniments for vocalist Texas Alexander. Together these transcriptions provide a roadmap towards a deeper appreciation for Johnson’s unique approach to acoustic blues involving extended single-note runs, artful bending, jazzy chromaticism, and overall jaw-dropping virtuosity.

Titles include: GUITAR SOLOS Away Down in the Alley Blues, Blues in G, Stompin’ ‘em Along Slow, Playing with the Strings, To Do This You Got to Know How, Swing Out Rhythm, Got the Blues for the West End, Woke Up with the Blues in My Fingers, Untitled, Slow and Easy
SOLO SONGS Blue Ghost Blues, Love Story Blues, Go Back to Your No Good Man SONGS with TEXAS ALEXANDER Bell Cow Blues, Boe Hog Blues, Levee Camp Moan Blues

31231 • Level 3 • 160 pages • Download Audio files of the original recordings included

GUITAR SOLOS

Away Down in the Alley Blues

Blues in G

Stompin’ ‘em Along Slow

Playing With the Strings

To Do This You Got To Know How

Swing Out Rhythm

Got the Blues For the West End

Woke Up With the Blues In My Fingers

Slow and Easy

SOLO SONGS

Blue Ghost Blues

Love Story Blues

Go Back To Your No Good Man

SONGS with TEXAS ALEXANDER

Bell Cow Blues

Boe Hog Blues

Levee Camp Moan Blues