Syl Johnson “One Way Ticket to Nowhere” b/w “Kiss by Kiss”
This week’s Crucial Soul 45, “One Way Ticket to Nowhere,” comes care of one of the greats of Chicago soul and blues: Syl Johnson.
Born in Mississippi, a teenage Johnson moved to Chicago with his family around 1950. During the 50s, Johnson steeped himself in the burgeoning Chicago blues scene—playing with the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold and Magic Sam (who happened to be his next door neighbor).
Born in Mississippi, a teenage Johnson moved to Chicago with his family around 1950. During the 50s, Johnson steeped himself in the burgeoning Chicago blues scene—playing with the likes of Howlin’ Wolf, Billy Boy Arnold and Magic Sam (who happened to be his next door neighbor). Johnson had his first proper hit in 1967 with “Come On Sock It to Me” for Twilight (later renamed “Twinight” Records). It’s a hard, funky track that finds Johnson transformed into a tippy top-notch soul front man. He quickly followed it up with the very oft-sampled “Different Strokes.” Johnson recorded one of the most visceral, moving and influential ballads of the Civil Rights struggle with his 1969 song “Is It Because I’m Black,” which hit number 11 on the Billboard R&B chart and provided the title to Johnson’s second LP.
That about brings us to today’s track. Heretofore, Johnson’s singles have been tough and plenty funky. “One Way Ticket to Nowhere,” is however, danceable, soul-pop bliss. Donny Hathaway, perhaps one of the best singers of his generation, provides an immaculate arrangement full of swelling string flourishes set against a stomping beat and a sunny vocal performance from Johnson. It’s like the soul music equivalent of the first day of spring.
