Johnny Moeller - BlooGaLoo

Severn Records

11 tracks

Austin Texas based artist Johnny Moeller has been a session musician and sideman for a number of years. With Severn Records he has backed the likes of Lou Pride, Tad Robinson, and Darrell Nulisch in the studio and as a part of the Severn Soul Revue. His most visual stint has been as a member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds with his brother Jay since 2007. By working with established bandleaders he feels he has learned to be a better front man.

BlooGaLoo is Moeller’s third CD. The Return Of The Funky Worm was released in 1996 and Johnny Blues Aggregation was released in 2001. BlooGaLoo is long overdue. This CD features friends Kim Wilson, Louann Barton, and Shawn Pittman. Kim Wilson provides vocals and or harp on two numbers. Louann Barton provides vocals for two tracks. Shawn Pittman, another Texas guitarist, actually provides vocal on one track. Moeller sings on the rest.

The tracks are a mixture of Moeller originals and classic blues covers. The disc opens with the Moeller penned title song, “BlooGaLoo.” “BlooGaLoo” reminds me of the late 60s, straight off Shindig! or, better yet, Hullabaloo. (Oh, I get it!) That’s for those of you old enough to remember. Speaking of memories, that brings me to the second track. It’s also a Moeller penned tune titled “I’m Movin’ On Up.” What immediately came to mind was “…to the eastside, to a dee-luxe apartment in the sky.” But it sounds nothing like the Oren Waters-Ja’net Dubois theme song to The Jeffersons TV show. This version is not very New York like. Instead it is very Texas like. The sixth track, “Theme From The One Armed Swordsman” has a smooth organ that provides the cool factor.

My favorite is “Raise Your Hands.” It’s my kind of music. I actually prefer Moeller’s originals over the cover songs.

Johnny Moeller is not your cookie cutter Texas guitar slinger. BlooGaLoo attests to that. This CD is a mixture of Texas shuffles, Memphis garage band, barrelhouse and 60s rock. That said, this release still manages to be a cohesive mix.