Blair to Give Pair of "Street Beat" Show

Photo by Cassie Blair

"Singer at Large" and Rock'n'Roll artist Johnny J. Blair is launching a series of "Street Beat" performances in anticipation of his next album, "I Like the Street."

The first concert on Friday, Jan. 14 will be at King Street Coffee House, 253 Front Street in Northumberland. The follow up concert on Jan. 21 will be at Emmanuel Community Church, 270 Henry Street in South Avis (Jersey Shore) in a share bill with guitarist-singer Jonathan Haley. Both event begin at 7 p.m. Blair will be joined by percussionist Jason Shuman.

Recently Blair finished mixes on "I Like the Street," which Blair described as "songs dedicated to friends I've known and loved: Grifters, the star-struck, fashion models, role models, addicts, the pedigreed, the imprisoned, poets, punks, barkers, preachers, the homeless, and the magnates. It's the best recording I've made."

Most of the album was made at Mind's Eye Music Studios in Williamsport, with parts recorded in Los Angeles and New York City. Musicians include members of The Badlees, Eric Biondo (Monkees, Imogen Heap, Sinead O'Connor), Tim Breon, Mike Garson (David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins), and Felipe Torres (Carmine Appice, Davy Jones). Release is scheduled for Spring 2011 on the Wampus Multimedia label.

Having performed in venues ranging from CBGB's to The Fillmore, Blair's music is described as "a burst of soul, with urban irreverence, romantic abstraction and bittersweet spirituality," drawing musical comparisons to David Bowie and Brian Wilson, who called Blair "a virtuoso." With a melodic mix of punk energy, old school soul, and sunny pop, Blair's set includes originals (from his many recordings) with "ironic cover tunes pulled out of the hat" from glam-rock to spirituals to psychedelia. Clyde Stubblefield, legendary drummer for James Brown, performed with Blair and dubbed him "a white James Brown." Earcandy.com called him "a delightful entertainer."

Putting on an energetic performance is one of Blair's trademarks. He has shared the stage with Howie Day, The Dead Kennedys, Bob Geldof, Chris Isaak, Stephen Stills, and others. Blair frequently records and tours with Davy Jones of The Monkees. "I've learned immeasurable amounts of stagecraft from him," noted Blair, "and I always include some Monkees in my set."

Blair spent several years as a bicycle messenger in San Francisco. He said, "I was on the street 10 hours a day, seeing the best and the worst in people. I called it 'the asphalt ballet.'" That period "put a treadmark" on his song choices, singing about everything from abuse to love to coffee addiction ("I'm a certified caffeine-aholic"), with lyrics referencing the Bible, Raymond Chandler, and The Marx Brothers.

Soundclips can be heard at www.johnnyjblair.com.