Our Blues Roots: Johnny Young (1918–1974)

[Don D.]

Johnny Young was on a lot of great Chicago blues sessions. He played both mandolin and guitar, because of that, I think his guitar playing got overlooked.

If you have time, check out this album with top musicians (scroll down the page a little to see personnel). The first 12 songs were recorded in November 1965, the rest in November 1967.

Going to post a little more as a comment.

Don D.

[Don D.]

Here’s a live clip, playing mandolin, 1972

Don D.

[Don D.]

This is an all-star recording with Robert Nighthawk, Little Walter (on a top version of “44 Blues”), Big Walter…and others (full personnel to follow in next comment; recorded in 1963, released in 1964).

Don D.

[Don D.]

Here are the recording details for that last album.

My focus on Johnny Young is in advance of creating a playlist of his music. He’s central to Chicago blues, but—at least in my perspective—he was somewhat overlooked. The playlist I create will benefit from the delay (my first playlists were more like catch-all drawers, the last dozen or so have been sorted out better, roughly chronological with only one video for each song).

In the meantime, here’s a chance for you to catch up on him too. Please feel free to add anything related. There’s still a ton of great recordings out there.

Don D.

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