POP MUSIC REVIEW : Jesse Johnson Goes Back in Time

Jesse Johnson may have been born too late. There was a real ‘60s feel to much of the singer-guitarist’s two-hour show at the Palace on Monday night, from his fuchsia maxi-coat to his mini-skirted dancer to his small but mighty Famous Flames-style horn section. The former member of the Time emphasized Jimi Hendrix-esque guitar licks and James Brown choreography that are so old they began to feel new again.

Like another ‘60s icon, Sly Stone, the Minneapolis-based Johnson has mastered the art of keeping an audience waiting. His show, scheduled for 8:30, began at 10, and while the packed house was a bit slow to warm up, he did win them over with a searing, rock-oriented “Can You Help Me” and a deliberately slowed-down “I Want My Girl.”

Johnson’s playing seemed inspired at moments, particularly on one number that he smoothly tossed off like a honky-tonk blues veteran. At times the best show of all was in the bar area, where three bartenders did the Watusi, played air guitar and partied harder than the paying customers. But even their energy began to flag as Johnson’s set dragged on. A wily, instinctive performer otherwise, Johnson hasn’t quite mastered the art of leaving a crowd wanting more.