Getting his start with rock and roll band The Soul Twisters before becoming multi-instrumentalist for sacred soul legends the Glorifying Vines Sisters (his wife Dorothy Vines’ group), Johnny Ray Daniels has stepped out on his own at the age of 76 with his first solo album, Whatever You Need, out this Friday on Bible & Tire Recording Co. After a car crash where he was told that he would lose his kidneys and yet they healed after several days of prayer, he turned to the Lord. The new album features backing vocals by his son Anthony “Amp” Daniels (leader of Dedicated Men of Zion) and his granddaughter KeAmber Daniels (of the group Faith & Harmony). (Dedicated Men of Zion’s new album ‘The Devil Don’t Like It’ is also out recently on Bible & Tire, extending the family’s musical legacy.)
“Jesus Is Waiting” single (OK to share).
Ahead of his release, Johnny Ray Daniels is already attracting buzz among lovers of vintage soul sounds:
“Impassioned… Working with Memphis mainstays Will Sexton and Bruce Watson, Daniels has cut a soul-stirring collection of vintage-sounding paeans to the Lord meant to shake the rafters and spark a fire within.”
–Robert Ham, Paste, April 22, 2022
“4 stars… His vocal melds gospel, Delta blues, and Southern soul as he wails, testifying about God’s power and steadfast faithfulness, affirmed rapturously by the chorus at every turn… Whatever You Need is a stellar example of not only Daniels’ prowess as a singer and musician, but of his conviction that Southern Black gospel music remains the fertile ground where spiritual inspiration meets and informs the grit, gristle, and struggle of everyday life… He is backed by the astonishing Sacred Soul Sound Section.”
–Thom Jurek, All Music, April, 22, 2022
“Life affirming testimonial… Johnny Ray Daniels takes his message from the pulpit to the people that rocks with the healing power of renewal full of joy and strength… The energy from a Sunday service echoes loud like metaphysical thunder and lightning, from the steps of the altar and choir gallery to the big stages of the largest amphitheaters imaginable.”
–Sjimon Gompers, Week In Pop, April 26, 2022
“Swinging gospel harmonies.”
–Matt Wickstrom, The Boot, April 14, 2022
“Soul-stirring.”
–Robert M. Marovich, Living Blues, May/June, 2022
“An authentic gem… For the vintage solid gold soul lover, this one’s also for you.”
–Lauren Leadingham, American Blues Scene, February 28, 2022
“Throwback vibe… Daniels’ voice is rich and husky, like in a BB King sort of way.”
–Speed on the Beat, March 3, 2022
“The earthy Whatever You Need is a true testimony to his earnest singing and his roots in the music that helped millions make it from day to day.”
–Robert Marovich, Journal of Gospel Music, March 19, 2022
