Lil' Choo-Choo Johnson, Bluesman

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Lil' Choo-Choo Johnson, Bluesman (eBook) Pub. Date: 8/30/2011 Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
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Lil' Choo-Choo Johnson, Bluesman Pub. Date: 5/3/2010 Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing

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Overview

Earl "Lil' Choo-Choo" Johnson left home at the age of 10, with only his father's guitar, and stepped into the world of the Delta blues. A guitar prodigy, his music led him to play with blues legends like Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Son House, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters. Lil' Choo-Choo's story is a history of the blues, from sharecroppers' shacks on Dockery's Plantation and whiskey-soaked juke joints in Depression-era Mississippi to the swinging clubs of post-war Memphis and Chicago. It encompasses the heyday of Delta blues, the birth of rock and roll, the British invasion, the blues revival of the 1960s, and beyond.

Bryan Krull has been a history teacher for the past eight years at the high school and college level. He earned his Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as degrees from the University at Buffalo and the University at Albany (NY). He currently lives near Rochester, New York. Lil' Choo-Choo Johnson, Bluesman is his first novel.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781608443550
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Publication date: 5/3/2010
Pages: 220
Sales rank: 901,923
Product dimensions: 8.50 (w) x 5.50 (h) x 0.50 (d)

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BadgerKroli

Posted December 16, 2010

FANTASTIC!

Right away I was pulled in and could not put the book down! I was lost in it. I could picture it all vividly in my head. I laughed and I cried, more than once. I have a greater appreciation for the Blues and what these musicians did for modern music. I'd recommend this for everyone to read, you'll be happy you did.
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EvanCrean

Posted September 19, 2010

Engaging and Educational

Only the most gifted authors have the ability craft historical fiction, in which the fiction is nearly indistinguishable from fact. With his debut novel Lil' Choo-Choo Johnson Bluesman, Bryan Krull weaves a tale so vivid, that the historical elements surrounding Earl "Lil' Choo-Choo" Johnson, mesh effortlessly into the fabric of his life story. The benefit of this style for the reader is that it creates a book that is equally as engaging as it is educational.

Krull first introduces us to Earl Johnson at the age of 10, while he is living with his family on a farm in backwoods Mississippi. It is Earl's uncle Houndtooth that turns the child on to the wonders of music when he comes to visit. Even though Houndtooth has a reputation for being a louse, he secretly teaches Earl to play guitar. Earl's passion for music grows, something his father notices and nurtures, by gifting the boy his old guitar and placing Earl the care of his uncle.

From here on, Earl's life becomes an exciting journey through the American South and the world of blues music. As a boy he passes into the care of Big Choo-Choo a drifter and a musician, who is a vital influence on his style and from whom he would derive his nickname "Lil' Choo-Choo."

Under the watchful eyes of other blues artists however, he comes into his own as a performer, branching out and establishing his own approach. Throughout his life, Earl encounters a number of obstacles that almost keep him from his music. His ability to overcome those setbacks and the length of his career is inspiring to anyone who aspires to live their passion though.

During his travels, "Lil' Choo-Choo" encounters a colorful group of real-life personas that he plays the blues with and befriends. Krull writes these relationships believably because it's clear he thoroughly researched these men. Musicians like Charley Patton and Howlin' Wolf are written so that they carry the same physical traits and biographical elements as the real men.

Krull's most effective literary device though is his use of song lyrics in his story. As a reader you get to see the words to Earl's songs, in the context of the events they happen in, which not only allows you to understand them better, but also to connect more with him on an emotional level as a character.

Whether you are a blues aficionado looking for something to read on your favorite subject, or you're a neophyte like I was when I first picked up the book, you should definitely give "Lil' Choo-Choo Johnson" a read. You'll find a fascinating story that simultaneously hooks you and teaches you a great deal about the history of blues.
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Anonymous

Posted July 20, 2010

An Entertaining Way to Learn the History of the Blues

I am impressed with the author's ability to bring the reader right into the book. As I read Lil Choo Choo Johnson, I felt like the proverbial fly on the wall-seeing, feeling, and hearing everything. The reconstruction of the dialect is also impressive. I always liked listening to jazz and the blues but never knew the history. I found the story fascinating.
I loved the book and could hardly put it down.
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OwenRugby

Posted June 27, 2010

Beale Street, bourbon and baseball--this historical novel captures it all

Lil' Choo Choo's journey from the juke joints and cotton fields of Mississippi to Chicago, Cleveland and beyond mirrors the mid 20th century migration of rural southern blacks to opportunities in the industrial north. A true to history story of the bluesman that not only provided the roots of what became mainstream rock-n-roll, but the influence that music provided young British groups in the early 60's such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Appealing to many audiences, this book provides a real American story.
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bck16

Posted June 18, 2010

I Also Recommend:

A rock-and-rolling ride through the history of the blues!

Earl "Lil' Choo-Choo" Johnson left home at the age of 10, with only his father's guitar, and stepped into the world of the Delta blues. A guitar prodigy, his music led him to play with blues legends like Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Son House, Howlin' Wolf, and Muddy Waters. Lil' Choo-Choo's story is a history of the blues, from sharecroppers' shacks on Dockery's Plantation and whiskey-soaked juke joints in Depression-era Mississippi to the swinging clubs of post-war Memphis and Chicago. It encompasses the heyday of Delta blues, the birth of rock and roll, the British invasion, the blues revival of the 1960s, and beyond. Filled with colorful characters and vivid description, this is not just a rollicking delve into the history of the blues, but the story of a man who overcomes great odds to become not just a great musician, but a loving husband, father, and role model. Lil' Choo-Choo is an admirable character- a steady, dependable man in the midst of wild temptation and passionate music. This historical fiction novel is a must for any fan of blues music, or the history of American music.
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