With a band that punctuates every hint of emotion that he reveals, Johnny Rawls sings and plays in the classic soul blues style that many in his genre dream of. It either just comes naturally for Johnny Rawls, or he is one amazing actor, because he tosses off musical phrases as if he invented the Memphis sound. In other words, he is a master and it appears to be effortless,

The album’s ten tracks include a number of original songs either written by Johnny Rawls, record label head Bob Trenchard, or co-written by the two, as well as another song, “Heal Me,” penned by Catfood Records labelmate Derrick Procell. Continuing his tradition of recording a song on each album associated with the legendary O.V. Wright (Johnny was his former guitarist and band director), Rawls reprises the Wright classic, “Born All Over;” and also works his magic on a song previously-recorded by another soul music great, Otis Clay, with a powerful take on “Trying To Live  My Life Without You. ”

Soul blues legend Johnny Rawls’s latest album, Walking Heart Attack (out now on Catfood Records), is produced by Johnny Rawls and features his beguiling vocals (and guitar on certain tracks). He is backed by his long-standing recording unit, The Rays: Johnny McGhee – guitar; Bob Trenchard – bass; Richy Puga – drums; Dan Ferguson – keyboards; Andy Roman – sax solos; Mike Middleton – trumpet; Nick Flood – baritone/tenor/alto sax; Frank Otero – trombone; with Jon Olazabal – percussion; and backing vocals by Janelle Thompson and Shakara Weston.

A definite highlight of the disc is Johnny’s soulful reading of the Bruce Springsteen classic, “Hungry Heart,” which transports that song from the Jersey Shore to the Deep South. Rawls has a gift for delivering every song as a vulnerable yet matter-of-fact first person narrative, and with this one in particular he mines new meaning in the lyric. It applies to the entire album, this ability to tell the truth without becoming unnecessarily overdramatic. After all, the truth is enough… especially for an artist as honest as Johnny Rawls.