John Christopher Morgan
Right On Time
Self Released
Publicity: Blind Raccoon
By Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro © August 2025
Although Right On Time is John Christopher Morgan’s debut release, he’s certainly no new kid on the block. While honing his skills in the Detroit area, touring Europe, and eventually settling in the Los Angeles area, John has consistently been surrounded by luminaries. As a matter of fact, his bandmates on this project are quite a celebrated lot.
On Right On Time – John, on vocals, drums, percussion, marimba, strings, string arrangements and train whistle – is joined by: Ralph Carter on bass, guitar, piano, keys, upright bass, and string & horn arrangements; Blake Watson on bass; Zach Zunis, Rick Holstrom, Brophy Dale, Frank Goldwasser, and Albert Lee on guitars; Martin “Nutty Brown” Gagnon on piano & backing vocals; RJ Mischo on harmonica; Bill Flores on accordion; Aaron Liddard on saxophone; Ron Dziubla on saxophone & flute; Trevor Mires on trombone; Simon Finch on trumpet; Jamie Wood and Marcy Levy on lead and backing vocals; and Viva Vinson on backing vocals. Of the disc’s thirteen tracks, nine are band originals.
Talk about making a song your own, John and the band took Huey Lewis’ street corner doo wop song “Bad Is Bad” and totally turned it into a scorching blues shuffle. As a line in the song states “Cool is the rule, but sometimes bad is bad”… this one is indeed bad. It opens with RJ Mischo going toe to toe on harmonica with a thunderous rhythm coming from the hands of John and Ralph, and from there it does nothing but get badder. Vocally, John and Marcy certainly do sound ‘cool’ on the vocals.
One of John’s originals is a song titled “Ain’t We All In It Together”. With John doing a spoken word presentation of the song’s inspirational lyrics, Viva Vinson’s vocal support takes the song to a whole other level. Her heavenly lead and harmony vocals make you want to throw your hands in the air and sing along to what she, and the strings, have turned into a hymn.
While paying tribute to some of his early nineties California bandmates, King Ernest and Lester Butler, John and the guys lay down a masterful rendition of Lester’s “Black Bag Blues”. It’s a rhythm driven smoker that features John belting the hell out of the vocals; RJ wailing on the blues harp; “Nutty Brown” goin’ nuts on the piano; and Zach – who having played on the original version of the song, has to be feeling pretty damn excited right here – shining on the blues guitar leads.
For so many reasons, “The Jeweler’s Daughter”, is my personal favorite. Yes, it is indeed because it is slow blues at its very best, but the clever lyrics and the sarcastic banter between John and Jamie are fabulously entertaining as well. The story takes place in a jewelry store where John takes Jamie to buy her a diamond ring for a Christmas present. However, things take a turn as John pays way too much attention to his salesperson – the cute, sexy, jewelers’ daughter. For the whole effect, you’re just going to have to listen to this one for yourself. Musically, with John and Ralph in a perfect rhythm groove being helped by strong support from Martin, Aaron and Trevor on the piano, sax and trombone, respectively; and Zach nailing the guitar leads; this one has all the needed and perfectly performed slow blues ingredients.
On this one John (vocals & drums) teams up with Brophy Dale (guitar) and Blake Watson (bass) for their only appearance on the disc and the trio do a remarkable job of making Guitar Slim’s “Done Got Over It” their own. Sounding nothing like the original, musically, this rendition could very well be a part of the next “Kong” movie.
With its so cool SOCAL vibe, Frank Goldwasser was certainly the perfect choice as the guitarist on “Jumpin’ With Leon” – an instrumental he and John composed. With its rockin’ rhythm, led by Ralph’s profound bass lines; rollicking piano runs from Martin; jumpin’ horns led by smokin’ sax leads from Aaron; and those famously sassy west coast guitar chords by Frank; this one is definitely for the swing dancers.
The disc closes with the title track, an original of John’s titled “Right On Time”. As the train whistle that opens the song indicates, this one does have the energy of a powerful locomotive. From that whistle to the track’s last note – another whistle – there is absolutely no relenting. With Albert Lee and Rick Holstrom leading the way on guitars, Bill Flores adding the hoedown vibe on the accordion, and John and Marcy belting out the sing-a-long lyrics, this rhythm fueled country style smoker is sure to pack the dance floor.
Other tracks on this excellent debut release by John Christopher Morgan include five more originals, titled: “Vidalia”; “Trouble Is My Business”; “Last Heartbeat”; “San Buenaventura” and “Black Bottom Blues”; plus, a cover of Bo Diddley’s “Let the Kids Dance.”
Should like to find out more about John Christopher Morgan, check him out at Facebook at – https://www.facebook.com/merryfieldmorgan. Remember, wherever you go and whomever you speak with, please tell them their friend the Blewzzman sent you.
“The Blues Is My Passion And Therapy”
Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com
2011 “Keeping The Blues Alive” Award Recipient
