Don Johnson - Donald Ray
(MarVista Music) MV3.79513-410322

   Don Johnson is a Texas-born drummer/vocalist now living in Calgary whose list of credits is fat - stints with Percy Mayfield, Big Joe Turner, Big Mama Thornton, Smokey Wilson and more. On Donald Ray, he puts new spins on classics such as 'Stagger Lee,' 'Sky is Crying,' 'Tobacco Road,' and 'Georgia on My Mind.' Johnson's rich baritone looms large over the mix. Best Cut: the eerie vocal-and-guitar version of Lightnin' Hopkins' '209' with Johnson's booming voice backed up wonderfully by Tim Williams' acoustic slide guitar.