Johnny Jenkins
TON-TON MACOUTE
Capricorn 314536106
available on amazon
This is one piece of music I have searched for since my vinyl copy was stolen so many years ago. This timeless gem, tracks 1-9 originally recorded in 69-70, from this much neglected singer should be a must for anyone who enjoys good solid southern rock. This album takes Southern rock, strips it down, and takes it on journey of discovery deep into the moss draped, misted swamps of Southern Louisiana, and then filtered it out through the intensity of gospel and blues. It was Johnny Jenkins' band, Johnny Jenkins and the Pinetoppers in which Otis Redding had been the lead singer. There is an added bonus here in that you get some of Duane Allman's most intense slide and dobro work. The band is a combination of a Capricorn Studios House band and members of the Allman Brothers. When I finally received this copy I was almost afraid to put it in the machine. I was afraid that I had built up such expectations for this disc that there was no way it could live up to the sounds in my mind. Suffice it to say rather than be disappointed joy filled the room with what came blasting through the speakers, as I steadily kept turning up the volume control. This is raw, biting, intense music. The pain and glory of it are all out in full view for all to see. There is not a weak cut, or throwaway, on the disc, each one adds. In fact it is only helped by the addition of the two cuts that were added to the disc that were not on the album. This has always been a benchmark album, one to compare others to for intensity and sheer funk. Just listen to either I WALK ON GUILDED SPLINTERS (didn't believe you would hear a version you liked as much as Dr. John's) or the version of ROLLIN' STONE. Do yourself a favor - GET IT!
Songs, times, writers, and personal
1. I WALK ON GUILDED SPLINTERS - 5:49 Dr. John Creaux
Johnny Jenkins - vocals
Butch Trucks - drums
Jaimoe - timbales
Robert "Pops" Popwell - bass
Duane Allman - dobro
Pete Carr - electric guitar
Paul Hornsby - Wurlitzer piano
Southern Comfort - background vocals
2. LEAVING TRUNK - 4:19 - Sleepy John Estes
Johnny Jenkins - vocals, harmonica
Johnny Sandlin - drums
Robert "Pops" Popwell - bass
Pete Carr - electric guitar
Paul Hornsby - Wurlitzer piano
Robert "Pops" Popwell & Johnny Wyker - shaker and woodblock
3. BLIND BATS AND SWAMP RATS - 4:44 - Jackie Avery
Johnny Jenkins - vocals
Johnny Sandlin - drums
Robert "Pops" Popwell - bass
Pete Carr - electric guitar
Paul Hornsby - Wurlitzer piano
Ella Brown - backing vocal
4. ROLLIN' STONE - 5:21 - McKinley Morganfield
Johnny Jenkins - vocals, guitar & foot tapping
Duane Allman - slide guitar
Berry Oakley - bass
5. SICK AND TIRED - 4:41 - Chris Kenner/Dave Bartholemew
Johnny Jenkins - vocals
Johnny Sandlin - drums
Robert "Pops" Popwell - bass, & timbales
Pete Carr - electric guitar
6. DOWN ALONG THE COVE - 3:25 - Bob Dylan
Johnny Jenkins - vocals, harmonica
Johnny Sandlin - drums
Berry Oakley - bass
Duane Allman - slide guitar
Pete Carr - acoustic guitar
Paul Hornsby - rhythm guitar & Wurlitzer piano
7. BAD NEWS - 4:08 - John D. Loudermilk
Johnny Jenkins - vocals, harmonica
Johnny Sandlin - drums
Berry Oakley - bass
Jimmy Nalls - guitar
Pete Carr - guitar
Paul Hornsby - Wurlitzer piano
8. DIMPLES - 2:55 - James Bracken/John Lee Hooker
Johnny Jenkins - vocals, harmonica
Johnny Sandlin - drums
Robert "Pops" Popwell - bass
Pete Carr - guitars
9. VOODOO IN YOU - 5:00 - Jackie Avery
Johnny Jenkins - vocals
Butch Trucks - drums
Jaimoe - timbales
Robert "Pops" Popwell - bass
Duane Allman - electric guitar (left)
Pete Carr - electric guitar (right)
Paul Hornsby - Wurlitzer
Eddie Hinton - cowbell
Tippy Armstrong - cabasa
Southern Comfort - background vocals
10. I DON'T WANT NO WOMAN - 2:12 - Don Robey
Johnny Jenkins - vocals & lead guitar
Johnny Sandlin - drums
Robert "Pops" Popwell - bass
Duane Allman - rhythm guitar
Paul Hornsby - piano
11. MY LOVE WILL NEVER DIE - 5:33 - Otis Rush
Johnny Jenkins - vocals & lead guitar
Johnny Sandlin - drums
Robert "Pops" Popwell - bass
Duane Allman - rhythm guitar
Paul Hornsby - Hammond B-3 organ & Wurlitzer piano
Produced by - Johnny Sandlin by special arrangement with Phil Walden and Associates; except DOWN ALONG THE COVE & BAD NEWS produced by Johnny Sandlin & Duane Allman