What’s a little heart work for a man that plays the blues? After all, that’s what the blues are made of.
John Thurman Hunter Jr. was born in Ringgold, Louisiana in 1931, but was raised in Magnolia, Arkansas. As such he was exposed to the music of many of the early Delta blues musicians. By the time he reached his early twenties, he had relocated in Texas where he would reside for most of his life.
He was inspired to become a performer after seeing B.B. King in concert. He received $2.50 for his first live show, which made him realize there was money to be made. His longest gig, and probably one of the longest in music history, was at the Lobby Club in Juarez, Mexico from 1957-1970. He issued a few singles during the 1950s and 1960s, but it was not until 1988 that he issued his first album. Looking For A Party is his seventh release.
He is a pure blues guitarist and vocalist. His sound may be modernized due to his smooth vocals and use of a horn section to fill in his sound, but the overall style and approach can trace its roots through the electric blues of Chicago during the late 1940s and early 50s, and even further back to the Delta.
The title song is the album's lead track, and if you are unfamiliar with his work it provides a nice introduction. He tends to emulate B.B. King in that most of his soloing is done when not singing. His solos all have a purpose and are used to complement and enhance the song's melody. The creative riffs and his ability to bend the strings to create a near perfect tone have all been honed by years of playing and practice.
“Beggar Man” is a slower, stripped down piece that keeps the focus squarely on his vocal as the solo does not occur until the songs end.
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