Music
Press
Artist: Jamison Johnson
CD: Lost and Found
Home: Bellevue, Washington
Style: Folk/Rock
Quote: "Johnson’s voice is flexible enough to be both gentle and gruff, and his guitar playing is uncomplicated, yet appropriate for the songs."
By Dan MacIntosh
When playing radio roulette, it’s usually not hard to land upon disposable pop. Whether that’s a rapper bragging endlessly about all his bling, a rocker telling you just how much he’s going to rock you, or a diva describing the greatest love of all. These are songs we’ve all heard before, albeit with different melodies and slightly different words. But if you played such a random game with Jamison Johnson’s Lost and Found, you wouldn’t hit that frivolous jackpot even once. That’s because Johnson is seriously earnest all the way through, from track one to ten.
Johnson is a diehard believer in hope, as is expressed with songs like “Love Is All Around” (which is not, by the way, The Mary Tyler Moore Show theme) and “Love Will Carry Us All." The line, “Let go of hate and find your space” on "Float Free" sums up this philosophical approach. But while Johnson has many reasons for hope, he’s nevertheless sometimes mercilessly tough on himself. He sings about being lost/drowned in lies during “Cruel Device."
The artist refers to Romans 8:28 in the liner notes and paraphrases the Bible with “Old things have passed away” during “Love Is All Around," which suggest that there may be a spiritual element underpinning these songs. Even so, Johnson doesn’t ever sing explicitly about God, Jesus or anything specifically Biblical.
Lost and Found is an entirely acoustic album. It’s nothing more than Johnson and his strummed acoustic guitar. Johnson’s voice is flexible enough to be both gentle and gruff, and his guitar playing is uncomplicated, yet appropriate for the songs. But for most listeners, ten straight songs, with just guitar and voice, is a little much after a while. Johnson may consider, for example, working in a few finger picked songs along with his strummed works the next time out. Sonic variety keeps the mind from wandering, which may happen to some while listening to this CD. And that’s a shame because Johnson writes excellent, straight to the heart songs.
This performer is obviously a fighter. He writes in the liner notes, “To my critics, I would like to thank you for giving me a reason to prove you wrong.” He also includes a great John Lennon quote, whose aunt once said, “The guitar’s all very well, John, but you’ll never make a living out of it.” I’m not sure if Johnson’s the next John Lennon, but he’s clearly not the type to give up, no matter what friends, family, or critics may say.
Indie-Music Profile
Artist Website: http://www.myspace.com/jamisonjohnson - Indie-Music.com
Dave Chappelle comments: "Sweet songs. Keep it real man. Zip it up and Zip it out."
- Comments Section, Myspace.com music site
Tara from TalktoTara.com says, "Great sound!"
- Myspace music site, comments section
Toby aka Reverend TC Ragdoll, sound engineer at club High Dive, member of Lost Dogma, and classic grunge band Dandylion Soup says, "Hey Jamison...
sounds good...nice recording tones...
your voice sounds good.
hold onto the dream."
- Myspace Music site, comments section
Andre Feriante classic style spanish guitar world music pro says, "I enjoyed your tracks" and "Really nice voice." - Myspace music site, comments section
Aury Moore, singer, song writer, voice over pro, commercial jingle artist, co-collaborator with rock legend Spencer Davis, and shared bills with Alan White of Yes, Michael Wilton of Queensryche, Roger Fisher and Mike Derosier of Heart, says of Jamison's music, "Beautiful!" and "Great stuff!" - Myspace Music site, comments section
Successful International Austrailian recording artist Genevieve Little, says, "I really enjoyed listening to the songs on your page...Great stuff!" - Myspace Music Site, comments section
Professional recording artist Heidi-Rae says, "Sounds Good, Rock on!" - Myspace music site, comments section
Joel Gamble professional violin, keyboard, composer, arranger, session player, and organist/choir director Redemption in Lynwood says, "Solid tunes, Eastside bro!" - Myspace Music site, comments section
Angela Hammerstrom recording artist says, "Good songs. Love the acoustic guitar work!" - Myspace Music Site, comments section
Discography
"Love Will Carry Us All" included on Depths of Confessions II CD Compiliaton, Red Night Records Inc, 2008
Lost and Found, 2007
Co-arranged song "Everybody Knows" by Leonard Cohen and played guitar (Lise Nikkole Band) on "Everbody Knows" film short by Duane Oft, 2002
Co-wrote "Feel This Way" on the Lise Nikkole debut, "Long Road Ahead," 2001
Photos
Bio
As a music artist, poet, and photographer, I hope to capture what is "lost" and share the mysteries of what is "found." My wish is that I would inspire, heal, and encourage you to leave this seemly lost world better than when you found it.
My music is a mix of intelligent lyrics, strong vocals, and raw acoustic passion that resonate in the discerning listener.
It all started with a prayer and a dream when I graduated from high school amongst the lush green trees, sparkling rivers, and roaring ocean of the southern Oregon coast with only a passion for music.
After a few years of learning, playing in many college groups, and graduating with a music minor, I moved to the Seattle area to pave my own unique voice in the rich urban landscape.
Talents: Vocals, song-writing, arrangements, rhythm guitar, harmonica, trumpet, percussion, and starting the bass. I write originals and arrange unique approaches to covers. I draw from all avenues of rock, blues, folk, acoustic, pop, and other genres.
CREDITS!!!!!!!
Contests/Awards: Voyager of the Seas Karioke contest finalist and opening act last show, 3rd Place Danny's Pub and Eatery Battle of the Bands and opening act.
Press:
CD Review, Indie-Music.com:
"Johnson’s voice is flexible enough to be both gentle and gruff," "Johnson writes excellent, straight to the heart songs," and "Johnson is seriously earnest all the way through, from track one to ten."
Comedian Dave Chappelle says, "Sweet songs. Keep it real man. Zip it up and Zip it out."
Tara from TalktoTara.com says, "Great sound!"
Featured on many sites, ezines, and radio stations and podcasts. See my "Radio Play" Blog on my Band Website for complete details:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=5650142&blogID=299427128
Venues/Events: Danny's Pub and Eatery, Bellevue Rock Bottom, Border's Books(Bellevue, Seattle, Tukwila, Puyallup), Zoka Coffee Greenlake, Victor's Coffee House, Rick's Place, WOU, Celtic Bayou, Damon's Bar and Grill, O'Sheas, Connor Byrne, Murphy's Pub, Queen City Yacht Club, Performing Hearts, Ballard Fire House, PPC Consulting, Coronet Bay, private parties, weddings, lodges, and summer camps.
Bands played in: Jamison A. Johnson, Rain 4 Rent, and Lise Nikkole Band.
Shared bills with: Ellen Says No, Isaac Barham, 3SG (actively gigging as Woodrush), March Assembly, Stomping Grounds, Abby London, Naranja, Shan, Annie O'Neil, Lise Nikkole, Aaron Courtier, Dan Hawk, Summer Schar, Dan Halseth, Rain Like I Know, and Little Si.
Session work: Mike Halen/Robert Hammerstrom
Studios: Rainstorm, Cyze-O-Graph Music.
Producers/Sound Engineers: Grammy nominated Paul Speer, Katherine Kavanaugh, and Robert Hammerstrom.
Links
