"There’s more to Johnny Ticktin than meets the eye. Well-versed in the blues, having once served as lead guitar player for the legendary Louisiana Red, the open-minded Ticktin is a sponge, soaking up the subtle six-string nuances and intricacies of a multitude of genres—from surf to classic R&B, swing and even Mambo—on his eighth album with The Headhunters, That’s All I Need. It would feel right at home in any rough-and-tumble roadhouse. The title is borrowed from a song, covered here in all its dark, swampy glory, off Magic Sam’s 1967 iconic electric blues marvel West Side Soul. Watery, backwoods ripples of Sam’s tremolo guitar style and seductive rhythms meander through Creedence Clearwater Revival’s mysterious kudzu on Johnny & The Headhunters’ version, as Ticktin and company paddle up a lazy river of Bayou groove. Just as fluent in nasty rockabilly, they thrive in the sweltering heat of the 1957 obscurity “Chicken House,” giving it a warm buzz and making it rumble and swagger, while the lascivious, infectious funk of “Body and Fender” – a Doc Pomus/Duke Robillard joint originally built for soul crooner Johnny Adams – shakes all over and ogles the female form. A rousing, boogie-woogie version of Lowell Fulsom’s Chess Records’ hit “Rock ‘Em Dead” is wonderfully shambolic, and Ticktin rides the lightning of the Link Wray instrumental “Ace of Spaces” like a champ, gleefully wheeling through edgy garage-rock riffs with appropriate vim and vigor. What feel he and his band have for this material. There is not the slightest bit of indifference to it anywhere on this record. Not that they need it, but help arrives in the form of keyboardist Tam Sullivan, who wraps smoky, sensual organ and wraiths of piano around a soulful remake of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Lead Me On,” and singer Liz Springer, who joins her brazen vocals to Ticktin’s in the cheeky, but charming, duet “Watch and Chain.” And, with the solid machinery of a good backing band at work behind him, Ticktin can just let loose – witness the slide-guitar fury of their cover of Elmore James’ “Shake Your Money Maker.” For aficionados of tasteful guitar work and music that time shouldn’t have forgotten, this is what you need. —Peter Lindblad SPREAD THE NEWS! FacebookTwitter RELATED STORIES September 3rd, 2023 Rhythm & Roots Festival August 28th, 2023 Rhythm & Roots: Family Fave July 28th, 2023 When Rock & Roll is a Verb"

"We had the pleasure of having Sonny and the band at our wedding and we can only express our total satisfaction. Their performance was flawless and contributed significantly to making our day unforgettable."

"Thank you for the atmospheric performance in the Farouge winter garden. Just the right songs chosen for our occasion; great melodies and lyrics. You made our party memorable!"

"We cannot recommend 'Rock Hunters' enough – they were absolutely fantastic at our wedding! From start to finish, they truly brought our celebration to life. Not only are they incredibly talented musicians, but they also know how to read the room and get everyone up and dancing. The energy they brought was infectious, and they had guests of all ages on their feet all throughout their set. One of the highlights was their personal touch. They took the time to learn our first dance song, and their performance of it was beyond perfect. It made that special moment even more memorable for us. Their interaction with our guests was also amazing – they were so friendly and engaging, making everyone feel part of the fun. If you're looking for a band that will not only provide incredible music but also elevate the entire atmosphere of your event, 'Los Rock Hunters' is the one. They were professional, accommodating, and just all-around amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a better band to make our wedding day unforgettable!"

"The crowd was ecstatic ❤️ Thank you for the energetic show!"

"Replays is awesome. Fantastic. We heard all great comments. We will be talking to you again for next year. "