Mona Johansson’s album Walk, release 1 December 2017

It’s a collection of songs taken from the American blues and soul treasure. Mona has produced the album together with the guitarist Christer Lyssarides. In the collaboration between Mona’s expressive voice and Christer’s sensitive guitar playing, they create their own way of interpreting roots and blues.

Contributing to the sound is Mona Johansson, vocals and acoustic guitar, Christer Lyssarides, guitars and pedal steel, Björn Gideonsson, drums, Ralph Youngblood, bass, and Allen Finney, harmonica, vocals. Allen Finney is also songwriter to one of the tracks, “Take a little walk”.

Produced and arranged by Christer Lyssarides and Mona Johansson
Recorded and mixed by Per Ängkvist at Real Music Studio
Cover design by Mona Johansson
Photo by Michael Wall
Label MoJo Music, Sweden

Reviews

Jefferson Blues Magazine - a curious innovation, without violating tradition!

(translation from Swedish)
A nice album from Mona Johansson and her fellow musicians. I’m used to hearing a ”raw” fifties sound from Real Music Studio, but here the sound is softer, more modern, without losing authenticity. I like the consistent overall sound of these recordings, whether it’s old material like Son House ”Death Letter Blues” or ”modern” like ”Breakin ’up somebody’s home” or Dylan’s ”Tonight I’ll be staying here with you”. Mona has a sound voice, not overdramatized but touching. The music sweeps the voice into a Nordic light, like a fog over damp fields. Christer Lyssarides cautious but precise guitar and pedal steel are exquisite, like Björn Gideonsson’s drums and Ralph Youngblood’s bass. Allen Finney guest plays on harmonica. Here is a curious innovation, without violating tradition. 
Olle Wallin, Jefferson Blues Magazine, Sweden (Paper edition, March 2018)

Hans Adamson, Art Vista Production - smokes of down-and-out desperation!

"I loved Mona Johansson's new album "Walk"! Mona's vulnerable, yet soulful voice, paired with Chris Lyssarides mood-setting and laid-back guitar playing smokes of down-and-out desperation. The album is well produced and has the feel of a close-up performance in a smoky blues club." 
Hans Adamson, Art Vista Productions, Los Angeles (December 2017)

Album info

Produced and arranged by Christer Lyssarides and Mona Johansson
Recorded and mixed by Per Ängkvist at Real Music Studio
Label MoJo Music, Sweden

1. Death Letter Blues (Son House) (4:34)
Mona Johansson – vocals, acoustic guitar
Christer Lyssarides – electric guitar, pedal steel
Björn Gideonsson – drums

2. Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City (Price/Walsh) (4:06)
Mona Johansson – vocals, acoustic guitar
Christer Lyssarides – electric guitar
Ralph Youngblood – electric bass guitar
Björn Gideonsson – drums

3. Help Me Through The Day (Leon Russel) (4:58)
Mona Johansson – vocals, acoustic guitar
Christer Lyssarides – resolectric National guitar
Ralph Youngblood – electric bass guitar
Björn Gideonsson – drums

4. 32-20 Blues (Robert Johnson) (3:10)
Mona Johansson – vocals, acoustic guitar
Christer Lyssarides – resolectric National guitar
Ralph Youngblood – electric bass guitar
Björn Gideonsson – drums

5. You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover (Willie Dixon) (3:18)
Mona Johansson – vocals, acoustic guitar
Christer Lyssarides – resolectric National guitar
Ralph Youngblood – electric bass guitar
Björn Gideonsson – trummor
Allen Finney – harmonica

6. Take a Little Walk (Allen Finney) (5:15)
Mona Johansson – vocals, acoustic guitar
Christer Lyssarides – resolectric National guitar
Ralph Youngblood – electric bass guitar
Björn Gideonsson – drums, percussion
Allen Finney – backing vocal

7. Breakin’ Up Somebody’s Home (Jackson/Matthews) (4:34)
Mona Johansson – vocals, acoustic guitar
Christer Lyssarides – electric guitar
Björn Gideonsson – drums

8. Steamy Windows (Tony Joe White) (4:11)
Mona Johansson – vocals, acoustic guitar
Christer Lyssarides – electric slide guitar
Ralph Youngblood – electric bass guitar
Björn Gideonsson – drums
Allen Finney – harmonica

9. Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You (Bob Dylan) (4:43)
Mona Johansson – vocals, acoustic guitar
Christer Lyssarides – electric guitar
Ralph Youngblood – electric bass guitar
Björn Gideonsson – drums, percussion