Johnny Max Band – Johnny Max & His So-Called Friends
Self Released
12 tracks/41 minutes
Johnny Max is John McAneney and this is his eighth release and the first since 2019. He began his musical journey in the 1990s. The album features this Toronto based artist and many of his friends, at least the so-called ones, who supported him on this effort.
Johnny Max is on lead and backing vocals, Jim Casson is on drums, percussion, organ bass, loops, and backing vocals, and Bill Evans plays piano, organ, and Wurlitzer. Mitch Lewis is on guitar, acoustic guitar, and guitar solo on two tracks. Dylan Wickens adds his guitar and guitar solo to four cuts. Wayne DeAdder has three tracks wth his guitar and solo work and one on backing vocals. Neil Chapman is on one cut for guitar and guitar solo. On bass is Steve Goldberger; Russ Boswell is on electric bass for one track and another on bass and another on upright bass. Brass instrument players are N. Jay Burr on tuba and Dave Dunlop on trumpet. Also on backing vocals are Suzie Vinnick, Quisha Wint, and Sabine Casson (who also adds hand claps). Nan McAneney does commentary on the second cut.
Max tells his woman, “You Can Do Better Than Him,” a honkytonk piece with his stylistic vocals. A little slide guitar, added guitar and piano make this one fun. “How the Other Half Lives” is a driving, rocking cut with Max howling out the lead vocals. It jumps an swings nicely. A heavy guitar solo is featured here along with some big organ and some call and response.
“I’ve Said All The Sorrys I’m Gonna Say” is a country blues of sorts with a guitar solo that sounds like it was right out of Nashville. “Might As Well Be On Mars” is a slow rocking ballad with Max bemoaning his relationship. Another heavy guitar tune, Max wails out the vocals and the piano and organ are up front in support.
“I’ve Never Met A Bridge” is a front porch sort of acoustic tune with tuba and percussion to spice things up. The band visits the lounge on “These Are The Things That Make Me Think Of You.” The cupped horn, brushes on the snare and piano give the cut a jazzy feeling.
The gears shift for “Memphis Woman & Fried Chicken,” a Dan Penn number. Max gives it his spin with stinging electric guitar and organ. He adds some distorted vocals for effect, too. Then it’s “Kiss From Joanne,” a fun cut with tuba, slide and electric guitar and piano. It’s got a fun rhumba groove going for it, too.
The barrelhouse piano rocks to open “What’s Good For The Goose,” a rousing tune with a lot of pretty piano and guitar. Max takes us to church with “When You Love Somebody,” and original cut with some nicely done harmonies. The organ and driving groove move this along smartly.
Another cover is “Be Good To Yourself,” a Journey anthem rock cut that Max and company turn into a country blues kind of tune. It’s a interesting remake of the 1980’s rocker. Organ and guitar along with backing vocalists help him transition it to Johnny’s style. Max goes solo on his acosutic guitar on “Plastic Jesus,” the humorious 1957 tune recorded in 1962 by writers Ed Rush and George Cromarty as The Goldcoast Singers on World Pacific Records. It was was a religious spoof that I remember vividly and became iconic on the shock jock show of Imus In The Morning.
It’s an interesting ride. Johny Max offers up 9 originals and 3 covers that he puts his stamp on. He and his friends are having a ball doing their thing on this eclectic and interesting album.
