John Campbell smokes the blues! His debut release is as sultry as a Louisiana summer night, with a gutsy vocal matched by suave guitar leads that tell stories of love, loss and troubled worlds. His songs hiss with a unique style and unwind into twisted tales as he sings of wild streaks and voodoo nights. The album features Campbell, originally from Shreveport, on his vintage guitars, which include a 1952 Gibson Southern Jumbo Acoustic and a 1934 National Steel.

And the man can play those suckers too—he masters nifty finger-picking riffs and slick slide work, all the while accompanied by various artists who add a captivating dimension to the recording. Campbell’s gruff vocals roar and his John Lee Hooker chord progressions add a sense of urgency and passion to “Devil in My Closet,” a tune about an untrustworthy woman. Campbell himself could be mistaken for Satan himself, given the photos in the album (see story, p. 8). “Wild Streak” is a mishmash of dark alleys and dim light portrayed by Jimmy Pugh’s keyboard, with Rich Cousins on bass and Lee Spath on drums. Campbell’s steamy guitar sets snakes dancing in “Voodoo Edge,” where he is accompanied by captivating congas and a percussion line that winds throughout the song.

On One Believer, Campbell teamed up with songwriter Dennis Walker, who’s also worked with Robert Cray. Walker’s powerful verse is a strong match for Campbell’s equally powerful blues melodies. The songs are passionate, angry and they question timely issues, especially in “World of Trouble” and “One Believer,” with the latter song an anthem to belief in oneself. Hopefully, One Believer will open more than one door for John Campbell.