Press
Johnny Riley unfurls poetry seamlessly… the fluidity alone makes this required listening for blues enthusiasts. Whether you’re a hardcore blues addict or a casual fan of the genre, this is exactly the kind of record that this summer needed to conclude on an upbeat note.
[Live @ Bluesberries Cafe receives album of the year nomination from Indie Shark Magazine]
Mark Druery – Indie Shark Magazine
You don’t have to know Riley personally to pick up on the fact that this guy lives and breathes the blues – even in the most cursory of listening sessions spent with Live At the Bluesberry Café, it’s more than apparent how emotionally tethered he is to every note pouring out of the speakers. The passion runs high in all thirteen of the tracks found here, and whether you’re a big blues fan or not, a few of them are almost guaranteed to get you swinging.
Garth Thomas – The Hollywood Digest
Live At the Bluesberry Café features some of the best swing I’ve heard on any record – blues or otherwise – in a long time, and I personally appreciate how adeptly its creator uses rhythm to make a statement to his audience.
Like SRV before him, Riley is making Texas blues a little easier to digest…
Sebastian Cole – Gashouse Radio
…Preserving the aesthetical integrity of the blues as it was always meant to be kept. Johnny Riley is definitely worthy of the buzz.
…off the charts infectious around every twist and turn the tracklist throws.
Clay Burton – IMMAI
Johnny Riley has a lot of love for the blues in his soul. I think it’s an undebatable classic – and the best look Texas blues has had in quite some time.
Mindy McCall – Indie Pulse Magazine
From every note sung, to every note played and from the production process, to the recording process, “Crossroads Of My Life” is a masterpiece.
…you guys were genius on this “song of the year” caliber project.
By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © July 2015. Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
“Johnny I have just listened to all the tracks, the cd is one of the finest I have ever heard, the music is great and your voice is as good as the super stars.” – George Thorogood from the UK.
The Netherlands Radio Zuidplas says “Upon hearing the fantastic voice of Johnny Riley it is the clear, this singer is born for the blues. What a crushing impression the voice makes. The album ‘Crossroads Of My Life ‘ let’s us hear how a blues album is supposed to sound like. The texts have content, are sung with conviction and the band is in great shape. Impressive are the numbers ‘ No Letter Blues “and” John The Revelator ” are both very personal in nature, ‘ No Letter Blues “is about how the singer was abandoned by his wife while ‘ John The Revelator is an ode to his parents. In all ways, this is a great album.” –Rudolf van der Ree -Netherlands
Billy Hutchinson, journalist with “Blues Matters” magazine which is a 2007 “Keeping the Blues Alive Award Recipient says “Johnny Riley is a Southern US jukebox, melding roots music as well as capable of playing single genre country, blues, gospel, or bluegrass. With his Father from Texas, and his Mother, Clarksdale born and bred, his roots are deep. Johnny is a guitarist/singer and neither talent is playing catch up. Johnny Riley’s music is well written, strident and he isn’t pussy footing. The deal is real from this Texan straight shooter”.
Eric Sabry with Rootstime in Belgium & the Netherlands says in a review “Johnny Riley finds the ideal mix between Texas and Mississippi …the CD confirms his singing qualities “he is a fine musician and more”…http://www.rootstime.be/
“Gil Anthony’s Blues Power Top 30 for June 2015 – Who’s on Top! Post in Jazz and Blues Florida includes Johnny Riley/Crossroads of My Life”.
Confessing The Blues Radio Network says, “One Hell of a Blues Man that has yet to Find His Due …. Johnny Riley … Check out the New Album …. “Crossroads of Life” John Riley is Raw, Ruff & Ready …..” –Cleve Baker Houstin
“Johnny Riley is the Real Deal”. CEO Ranch Records -Dixon Shanks
“VERY ENTERTAINING” “A true and authentic Country Blues Artist” ” A student of Americana” Lufkin Daily news –Camille Elington
“Blues/Rockin Country –No matter what box u put it in –JOHNNY RILEY will Kick it open and ROCK YOU.” – San Erikssone Kicks 105