John Fohl has enjoyed an interesting music career. He's lent his considerable talents to the swing-oriented Cherry Poppin' Daddies, blues harp expatriate Andy J. Forest, and Cajun rock fiddler Kelly Thibodeaux. He appears on a Christmas CD by Theresa Andersson and David Doucet, and contributed a song and very sympathetic accompaniment on Brint Anderson's Notes From Clarksdale.

Fohl nicely assimilates his influences into his delivery with light-handed appreciation but never with overt imitation or contrivance. While the sway of John Hammond, Jr., and Leon Redbone occasionally steers a lick or two, their styles never dominate Fohl's sound or words. He is one of today's finer finger-style and slide guitar players and he sings with authority. His vocals have matured since his first solo release in 1998 and he is no longer trying to sound "authentic;" his vocals are sage and natural. In addition, Fohl is a songwriter of consequence and Time Ain't Waitin' contains mostly original songs. The CD starts off with a fanciful rendition of Blind Blake's "Rope Stretchin' Blues" with Fohl sliding on steel guitar and singing about murder and mayhem. He performs an inspired version of "On The Sunny Side of the Street" using James Booker's inimitable arrangement and delivers a truly singular take of "Rum and Coca-Cola" based on an arrangement by Professor Longhair. Using sparse accompaniment throughout the CD, Spencer Bohren helps out on lap steel on Fohl's sorrowful "I Won't Be Ready" and his beautiful "Weaving Home." On the Bix Beiderbeck-ish "Easy Livin'" and Sidney Bechet-ish "High and Lonesome Clouds," Brian "Breeze" Cayolle adds some fine clarinet to Fohl's memorable melodies.

Versatility is Fohl's strong suit. He easily glides between rags, string-band swing and blues with fluidity and originality. Time Ain't Waitin' was worth waitin' for-it's a solid endeavor and worthy addition to the blues lover's collection.

Kathleen Rippey- offBEAT Magazine