John Campbell : One Believer 1991

Blues & Rhythm, May 1991 pg 25

John Campbell is a totally different kettle of fish - it's blues all the way from Texas (Lightnin Hopkins "Bluebird") through to Chicago (Snooky Pryor's "Judgment Day" and Elmore James "Sunnyland Train). Thirty-six year old Campbell originally hails from Shreveport, grew up on a diet of Lightnin Hopkins records, started on guitar as a youngster and eventually moved to Texas in his teens.

He played with Gatemouth Brown and Son Seals, but serious health problems caused an extended break from performing. Eventually, he got things going again and in New York met Ronnie Earl who was so impressed by what he heard that he decided to record Campbell, and the result is this CD. Produced by Earl, he also plays guitar on some cuts, and Muddy's ex-harpman Jerry Portnoy also plays on two sides.

Campbell is a brilliant guitarist (he plays acoustic fitted with pickup), a fine singer, very influenced by Lightnin Hopkins. Immediately obvious on one listen to "Going to Dallas" or "Bluebird." He is also confident in the ragtime style ("Deep River Rag"). On "Judgment Day" the vocal is by Darrell Nullisch, and Earl and Campbell alternate solos. Earl takes the lead on an acoustic version of "Sunnyland Train" and the set ends with a stunning version of Furry Lewis's "White Lightnin'". Four Campbell originals and five covers in this nicely balanced set of mainly Texas style blues - strongly recommended.
Phil Wight

DEVIL IN MY CLOSET

I got the Devil in my closet,
And the wolf is at my door.
I got the Devil in my closet,
And the wolf is at my door.
What’s a man to do
When he can’t trust his woman no more?

She says she did no wrong,
And seeing him was no big thing.
She says she did no wrong,
And seeing him was no big thing.
She ain’t admitting nothing,
But I believe she spread her wings.

I touched her last night
and she rolled over in her sleep.
I pulled her close
and softly kissed her cheek.
But she whispered his name
as she pressed her chest to me.

I got the Devil in my closet,
And the Wolf is at my door.

To my pride, it’s very simple,
I’ll just pack and walk right out.
To my pride, it’s very simple,
I’ll just pack and walk right out.
But my heart begs me to stay
If there’s a shadow of a doubt.

TRACKS1. Angel of Sorrow (D. Walker/J. Campbell/Z. Kennedy) 4:15
2. Couldn’t Do Nothin (D. Walker/J. Campbell) 3:47
3. Devil in My Closet (D. Walker/J. Campbell) 5:59
4. One Believer (D. Walker/J. Campbell) 5:34
5. Person to Person (E.James/M.Sehorn) 3:49
6. Take Me Down (D. Walker/J. Campbell/Z. Kennedy) 6:45
7. Tiny Coffin (D. Walker/J. Campbell) 4:42
8. Voodoo Edge (D. Walker/J. Campbell/Z. Kennedy) 4:06
9. Wild Streak (D. Walker/J. Campbell) 4:58
10. World of Trouble (D. Walker/J. Campbell) 6:09

Tracks 1,2,5,6,7,10

John Campbell – guitar and vocal
Richard Cousins – bass
Jimmy Pugh – keys
Lee Spath – drums

Tracks 4,8,9

John Campbell – guitar, slide guitar, vocal
Jimmy Pettit – bass
Gary Nicholson – guitar
Davis McLarty – drums

Track 3

John Campbell – guitar and vocal
Antoine Salley – bass
Jimmy Pugh – keys
Lee Spath – drums


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