July 17–24, 1997

critic pick|rock/pop

Kid Jonny

Jonny Lang is a wild and lean young animal. A 16-year old from Fargo, ND a who says "cool" a lot. But he's nothing like the Hansons of this planet, Lang is a serious guitar guy, playing taut blues influenced by Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

But just try gettin' a hold of Lang. With the title track from Lie To Me (A?) getting big airplay and his stinging singing garnering tons o' critical raves, the only way for me to talk to Lang is on a train rolling through Philly's Penn Station.

Rolling along, Lang gives me a tour through his frozen North blues.

"I grew up on a farm until I was four. Moved from Fargo to Minneapolis and back again," he recalls. "By the time I was 13 I had picked up the guitar after seeing my first live concert from a local band, Bad Medicine."

Within moments after starting guitar lessons from Bad Medicine guitarist, Ted Larsen, Lang began singing and playing sax for the band. Then he stole Larsen's guitar seat.

"The blues — all roots music, really — is emotional music. I like stuff with heart. You have the space to go nuts. Whether I'm playing or listening, it's my only release for everything."

Barnburners like the billiard-bustin'"Rack 'Em Up" and the Memphis soul-stew of "Back For A Taste Of Your Love" show Lang's zest for funked-up guitar chops and scratchy vocals in full swing. Yet, it's self-penned R? ballads like "When I Come To You" and "Missing Your Love" that show off Lang's true emotive power; a level of versatility and soul uncommon in men four times his age.

"Every time I write anymore it comes out a freakin' ballad," says Lang, tired from a long trip.

Though the long, strange trip is just starting — and starting big — Lang seems not to give much of a shit either way.

"I don't know how this process occurred. Music's all I live for. Totally. And I just guess people like it. Which is cool." Very cool.

Aerosmith/Jonny Lang, Fri., July 18, Blockbuster-Sony Entertainment Centre, Camden, NJ, (609) 635-1445.

— a.d. amorosi