Powell St. John - On My Way To Houston (2009)

"I think he is a first-rate harmonica player and I am glad he is still doing it. His songs are some of my favorites!" - Roky Erickson

Powell St. John cut his teeth at Austin's Threadgill's Bar, performing with Janis Joplin and Lanny Wiggins in a trio called The Waller Creek Boys. Later, in answer to a request for material from Tommy Hall of the 13th Floor Elevators, St. John wrote five songs for their two first albums. In the late 60's, Powell formed the blues/rock band Mother Earth with Tracy Nelson, releasing several albums on Mercury. Among the legendary musicians who have sung and recorded Powell's songs are Janis Joplin ("Bye, Bye Baby"), Boz Scaggs ("I'll Forever Sing"), Roky Erickson ("Right Track Now") and Doug Sahm ("You Don't Know"). The Texas Music Hall of Fame inducted Powell in 2005.

'On My Way to Houston' was recorded in Oakland with members of Roky Erickson's former band, The Aliens, and features an unrecorded Roky composition, "Hardest Working Man." Austin fixture Ralph White contributes as well. Longtime fan and well-respected publicist/journalist Bill Bentley wrote liner notes for the package.

1.01 - Powell St. John - Hardest Working Man (6:48)
1.02 - Powell St. John - On My Way To Houston (3:57)
1.03 - Powell St. John - John Clay (3:27)
1.04 - Powell St. John - Song of the Silver Surfer (3:59)
1.05 - Powell St. John - Jerry Lightfoot (3:04)
1.06 - Powell St. John - Take That Girl (3:50)
1.07 - Powell St. John - Toby's Theme (1:50)
1.08 - Powell St. John - I Loved The Way You Played The Piccolo (4:16)
1.09 - Powell St. John - Maquiladora (1:49)
1.10 - Powell St. John - Ballad of Travis Rivers (4:40)
1.11 - Powell St. John - We Were All Born Free (2:50)