Johnny Watson – Wolfman (and some news…)
AWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
Listen/Download – Johnny Watson – Wolfman
Greetings all, and Happy Halloween.
I hope the new week, and the arrival of the holiday find you all well.
Unfortunately, a very (very) serious and wholly unexpected health crisis has descended upon the House of Funky16Corners, and it behooves me to devote what time I have to helping my wife and sons in any way I can. Until such time as things are back to normal (or at least some semblance thereof) all blogging will be suspended.
Some things (a lot of things, actually) are more important than blogging, and so I must (temporarily) take your leave.
That said, this Monday is Halloween (and these posts were written before the hand of fate slapped us down) , so I figured I’d dip into the archives and whip something a little spooky on you all.
I’m not an avid collector of holiday material (Halloween or Christmas), but every once in a while I pick something up that fits the bill, and today’s selection is especially interesting.
There aren’t a whole lot of folks out there so identified with their chosen instrument that it gets appended to their name, and certainly none better known in the world of R&B, funk and soul than Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I discovered that in 1967 he put out a piano instrumental 45.
Watson, along with his fellow legend and running buddy Larry Williams hooked up with the Okeh label in 1966 and 1967 for a brief but fruitful period in which they recorded the epic ‘Two For the Price of One’ album, collaborated with the LA psyche band the Kaleidoscope as well as releasing a few solo 45s each.
‘Wolfman’ was on the Watson solo 45 for the label (with a version of ‘Hold On I’m Coming’ on the flip) and is a great curiosity in his long discography.
Opening with the generic ‘spooky’ riff, the tune opens up into a slightly jazzy, vaguely Latin sounding piano instro with the rhythm section and horn backing.
Watson was a pretty good piano player too!
Okeh had the good sense to bill him simply as ‘Johnny Watson’, probably figuring that the ‘guitar’ would only confuse people.
In the end it didn’t matter, since the 45 doesn’t seem to have met with any success on either the R&B or Pop charts (unlike the Williams/Watson duets that hit the R&B Top 40 in 1967 and 1968).
Either way, it’s a very groovy 45 (scan the Funky16Corners Radio Show archives for the other side of the record) and I hope you dig it.
Don’t take any unwrapped candy, and I’ll see you all as soon as life allows.
Peace
Larry
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Themocracy
Best of hopes in these times for you and your family. Get well soon to all who live in the House of Funky16Corners and thanks for funkifying our lives.
Hopes and thoughts for all.
Thanks for great music and excellent writing.
Larry, hoping for health harmony and happiness to be restored to the house of Funky16.
Best wishes and prayers
Hope everything turns out well Larry…..we’ll all be here waiting to be funkified when things are back on an even keel:))
Hope things get better for you and your family soon.
Keep the Faith
Best of luck with everything Larry!
Thanks for all the great music, and I hope everything gets better soon! Happy Halloween!
–Ivan
Thank you, Larry, for all the killer music and good times. Your blog has always been helpful in helping me find out about certain soul records and turning me on to new ones. For that I’m very grateful. May you and your family get through this and may you be back to spin us more wonderful funk and soul. God bless.
-Brian Marshall
It’s Great Shakes.
Add me to the list of those saying thanks and wishing you and yours all the best.
Chris
I’m so sorry to hear of your troubles. Hope all goes well for you and the family. We’ll be waiting for your return.
Very cool tune btw.
I hope you and your family get through the health issues. Take your time and be safe
Take all the time you & your family need, but please realize how much you’ll be missed!
Dearest Larry,
I have been a fan since the early WordPress days. I used to walk 12 freezing blocks on the West-Side of Chicago to use free library internet in hopes that you had some fresh soul posted. I’m an aspiring hip-hop producer and you have inspired me on so many occasions I’ve lost count. *cough cough… May Allah alleviate all that ails you my brother. I pray for your speedy return because I believe you are doing these soul artists, and the world in general an enormous service.
Peace & Blessings,
-Dennis
Larry,
I echo the sentiments of all the comments above. I wish you and your family well.
Your blog is a wee bit of joy in our days and a great window on to another, exciting, soulful world.
We’ll see you when we see you. Take it easy.
g.
All the best Larry. I hope all comes together well soon.
Best wishes,
L
Hope you and your family get through this. I know that stuff comes first. Hang in there and know that all of us out here are thinking about you and yours!
It’s all been said. You and your family are in my thoughts. Best of luck bro.
I can only echo everyone else above – hopeful wishes from a stranger. Y’all are in our thoughts.
Take care – my thoughts are with you.
I echo everyone’s good wishes for the health of your family. I too have
I echo everyone’s good wishes for the health of your family. I also have little ones and know that even the small crises are writ large. Funky 16 Corners is by far the best soul/funk blog and I will miss it while its gone.
All my best, Larry, to you and your family. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication.
For all the evangelical joy of your musings and music have given this family – our thoughts are with you.
My best wishes to you and your loved ones. Take care!
best wishes and thoughts to yourself and the family,
Best wishes to you and the family at this difficult time…
And a short comment on Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson’s Name.
I read somewhere that he changed his name to ‘Guitar’ then immediately presented his record label with an album of Piano only tunes…such was the contrary nature of Mr Watson.
Mind you, I also read his last words whilst expiring on stage were ‘Ain’t that a Bitch!’ which i sense is apocryphal…