Album Review: Johnny Chops & The Razors (Self-Titled)

-Harriett

For the better part of the past twenty years Texas native Johnny “Chops” Richardson has been perhaps best known as the bass player for the Randy Rogers Band. In 2013 the talented singer-songwriter released his first solo album Sticks & Stones introducing the music scene to his blend of blues and soul. On March 23rd Richardson returns, backed by an all-star band, for the release of Johnny Chops & The Razors. Co-produced by Richardson and David Abeyta of Reckless Kelly, the new release is a  refreshingly eclectic mix of rock, blues and soul that is buoyed by stellar writing.

The album adds an other-worldly vibe to the blues as it delves into the supernatural and superstition in “Believer” and infuses rock on “Medicine” a song grounded in the reality of the dangers inherent in our pill-for-everything society.  Willie Dixon’s sultry “I Just Want To Make Love To You” has been covered by a variety of artists spanning many different genres but Richardson’s version is a breath of fresh air and provides a more modern take on the lyrics with the addition of Brandy Zdan as his duet partner. 

“Ten Cent Talker” and “Only When You’re Breathing” are stories of deceit with the former exposing those who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk, while the latter explores the dissolution of trust in a relationship. The Gospel Starz are featured on the uplifting, soulful “Taking A Chance On Me” which was released as a single in January and is a song of gratitude for those who can see past the flaws in a person who might look less than promising on paper.     

The humor is dark and clever on “Tombstone Flowers,” where an old school R&B sound backs the lament of a relationship’s end, and “Rock Bottom,” a rollicking romp of a tune about bad decisions.

The collection closes with the same other-worldly vibe of the first track on the shadowy and sharply-written, “Good Night,” which tells the tale of a killer having his fate sealed by a revenge seeker skilled in deception.

There’s a lot to love in Johnny Chops & The Razors for both the lyric driven listener and fans of gritty blues. Visit the website at www.johnnychopsmusic.com to pre-order the album and to learn more about this multifaceted artist.     

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