Delmark released a new track just in time for Valentine’s Day from not one but two of our favorite blues guitarists. “The Worldwide West Side Guitar Man” Johnny Burgin has teamed up with Texas blues guitar legend, Anson Funderburgh and piano ace Christian Dozzler for a brand spankin’ new Delmark Records digital single for download/streaming, “CHERRY ON TOP”
It has already been reviewed in France’s SOUL BAG magazine, AMERICAN BLUES SCENE, TAHOE ON STAGE, and BluesPowr!
It’s also receiving heavy airplay all over, including XM’s Bluesville‘s satellite radio, and is one of the most downloaded singles via Airplay Direct!
Johnny and his road manager, producer Stephanie Tice, share a lot of lighthearted banter as they travel — leading to lots of “that’s a song!” moments. “Cherry On Top” is a true-life love song that was quickly jotted down as the tour van rolled. Johnny always loves to record in different cities with great local musicians, and last winter while touring in Dallas, Johnny and his touring bassist Chris Matheos jumped at the chance to record with young multi-instrumentalist Reo Casey on drums and veteran pianist Christian Dozzler.
Blues guitar aficionados will love this fruitful pairing of Johnny Burgin and Anson Funderburgh‘s guitars– their first appearance together on record. Anson has long been one of the very best living blues guitarists, with an elegant and instantly recognizable sound with roots in the swinging early BB King style. Johnny’s more in a gutbucket, Chicago West Side sound, and creates a fun contrast by playing very aggressively on the outro. All in all, it’s a great meeting of dedicated simpatico blues artists to bring to this seductive and fun tune to life.
It was really fun to record in Dallas, I love spending time in Texas and hanging out with so many of the great musicians there. I’ve always wanted to make a collection of blues music for burlesque dance, and I hope “Cherry on Top” will be the first step in that journey. Working with Anson was a highlight of my career as a guitarist and he brought just the right spice to the song. On that same session, I recorded a few tunes with Dylan Bishop, he’s got a huge talent. – Johnny Burgin
Check it out on Johnny Burgin’s You Tube channel here!
This pairing of two of the great blues players of our time resulted in a timely song of true blues adulation. Burgin and Funderburgh are both superb guitar stylists, Burgin with a biting Chicago tone and Funderburgh playing clean, flexible Texas T.
“Cherry on Top” was conceived while Burgin was on the road, tossing ideas around with his manager, and hooking into the local groove. When in Texas? Johnny asked Anson to join him, and they played the hell out of this one-off original.
With so many artists making single songs available in ways that may or may not make a difference, this one stuck out by its real, intense blues and positive message about love. Plus, the guitars rip and intertwine, and the band plays on beautifully.
-Tom Clarke
Delmark label
which brings together
Johnny Burgin and
Anson Funderburgh for the first time
.
Written by Johnny and his tour manager Stephanie Tice, the song
Cherry on top is a mid-tempo blues with Johnny on vocals and great interactions between his guitar and Anson’s.
When the harsh Chicago blues mix with the sophisticated and straightforward blues of BB King and the Texas masters, fun is guaranteed.
The other musicians are Christian Dozzler on piano, Chris Matheos on bass, and Reo Casey on drums.
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