Tom Johnston (1979) Small Time Talk - LOST 70s GEMS

 Tom Johnston was part of a legacy of unsung yet highly successful American frontmen, he followed in the tradition of other high tenor lead singers with their own unique rhythm guitar style and tremendous harmony arrangement and occasional stunning lead guitar skills to boot; other examples being Roger McGuinn with his clear pop voice and jangly 12 string rolling guitar style of play or Glenn Frey with his sleepy, gossamer vocals and swift yet clean country acoustic strum. Tom's reedy, scratchy choice and attacking, hammer-on funk guitar defined the Doobies style as much as the McGuinn to the Byrds and Frey to the Eagles.

 The album is packed full of strong funk playing; three examples of note are the solo in album opener, Down Along the River where Tom executes a heavily filtered funk solo full of Funkadelic,Roy Ayers flavoured quacking duck wah wah; deep and jowly in it's tone and so, so funky. That track features ringing out Fender Rhodes, glistening soul harmonies and the kind of country lyrics reserved for his former band. The other examples are the intricate and so clear cut clavinet bouncing along in Savannah Nights and the supersonic, incredibly fat toned BB King soloing of Show Me.

 My choice gem however third on the track listings, Small Time Talk; a rocking soul number with subtle backing vocals and a nifty melody that mixes Tom's strengths of country, funk and soul. The solo acoustic guitar sets the beat with a grooving ascending stutter; the best thing he has ever played. It's undeniable groove and yet keeping a rootsy grit to it's a fine accomplishment while he sings with such a clean and positive soulfulness alongside the Memphis horns its the best song from it's album.