Michael Johnson Takes the Stage in Madison Fans of Legendary Singer-Songwrit- to Attend the Liceu Conservatory and Wild Sound Recording Studio
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Volume 42 No. 3 March 2016 Michael Johnson Takes the Stage in Madison Fans of legendary singer-songwrit- to attend the Liceu Conservatory and Wild Sound Recording Studio. ers like James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, study with the classical guitar great Gra- Michael said, “It just seemed that all and John Denver will be delighted to ciano Tarragó. Not long after returning roads were leading me back to Minne- discover—or perhaps become reac- to the U.S., Michael joined Randy Sparks sota—signing with Red House, working quainted—with songwriter and bal- in a group called The New Society, tour- on the new album and most especially, ladeer Michael Johnson. If you do not ing East Asia. reconnecting with my daughter who immediately recall his name, you will re- In 1968, Michael started touring with lives here.” Michael adds, “And I’m just call his voice from some of his Billboard the Chad Mitchell Trio and began co- an old hippy, and I need to be up where Top 40 hits, including “Bluer Than Blue,” writing with John Denver, forming the my people are.” “This Night Won’t Last Forever” and “Al- trio Denver, Boise & Johnson. In the late Michael released his latest album, most Like Being in Love.” Michael is also 1960s he spent some time as an actor, Moonlit Déjà Vu, in October 2012. His a classically trained, masterful guitarist working in New York, Los Angeles, and once-long-lost daughter Truly Car- who is equally at home singing pop, Chicago. In the 1970s, Michael returned michael, a classically trained vocalist, country, or classics from the American to the music scene in a big way. He re- joined him in recording a poignant duet songbook. leased some of his biggest songs on the titled “One Mile Apart.” Born in Colorado and raised near Billboard charts and enjoyed equal suc- Michael has toured around the Denver, Michael began playing guitar cess in Nashville, recording #1 country world and shared the stage with a di- at age 13. He went to Colorado State songs with singers like Juice Newton verse range of entertainers, including College to study music but left after and Sylvia. He continued to write and Judy Collins, Bill Monroe, Vince Gill, winning an international talent contest perform throughout the 1980s and ‘90s. Cheryl Wheeler, Prudence Johnson, in 1964 that landed him a deal with Epic His songs have been recorded by such John Gorka, George Carlin, Trisha Year- Records. He then moved to Barcelona artists as Alison Krauss, Suzy Bogguss, wood, Andy Kaufman, and Jennifer Chet Atkins, and The Persuasions. Warnes. He has performed with classi- Always most at home on stage with cal symphonies, and toured with Clint just an acoustic guitar, Michael contin- Black, Wynonna Judd, and Alison Krauss ued to tour solo and played about half and the Union Station. He has even ap- his shows in Minnesota, where he lived peared on nationally syndicated televi- from 1969 to 1985. At a more recent sion shows, including The Tonight Show show in Minneapolis, he met up with with Jay Leno, Austin City Limits, and singer-songwriter John Gorka. Michael Entertainment Tonight. talked about wanting to return to his But Michael says he is a soloist at acoustic roots, and John connected him heart. He loves the intimacy and spon- with his manager and his St. Paul-based taneity of a live acoustic show. About label Red House Records. his shows, Michael says, “I like to talk to Red House president Eric Peltonie- people and I love to make them laugh. mi, who was very familiar with Michael’s And, of course, I have to move them work, was delighted to meet Michael with the music. That’s the whole thing. and hear his new material. “I was just Without that, there is no reason to be stunned at how great his new songs on stage.” were,” he says. “It thrilled me to hear a true artist still at the top of his game.” You can find more information Michael signed with Red House and about Michael Johnson on his website recorded his new songs at Minneapolis’ at www.mjblue.com. David Francey Concert Tuesday April 19 verse Skating Rink song quoted here David Francey was born in Scot- The music from the skating rink is a good example of the brilliant sim- land in 1954, moving with his family to Drifts across the town plicity of David Francey’s lyrics, and his Canada at age 12. He spent decades The stars of heaven high above melodies match perfectly the mood of his life as a carpenter and didn’t re- Forever looking down of this spare and beautiful imagery. In cord a song until he was in his mid for- I stand here looking upward, And I’m listening to the sound the liner notes, David says of the song, ties. Many of his songs portray aspects Of the village in the lonely heart of in part, “I live in a small village in Que- of the working-class life or of the gen- winter bec across the street from the skating eral Canadian experience, though he rink... From my house I can hear the also has written songs like “Fourth of So writes and sings Canada’s David thin music from the loudspeakers, the July,” a political song about the post- Francey, one of the most delightful sound of hockey being played, the cut 9/11 USA, and “Wishing Well” about songwriters on the folk music scene of steel on ice, the thud and boom of the execution of Timothy McVeigh. today. This is the first verse of the title the puck on the boards...” No matter what the subject, David’s song from his 2003 CD, Skating Rink, songs are simple but interesting, both The sky above the skating rink which won the 2003 Penguin Eggs melodically and lyrically, and are cap- The blackened weight of space Magazine’s Album of the Year prize, tivating because of their specificity. It Falls endless on the frozen world isn’t surprising to learn, therefore, that then went on to win a 2004 Juno Upon the saving grace among his musical heroes are Joni Award, which is Canada’s foremost Of the lights around the skating rink music award, presented annually by Laughing in the face mitchell, the Beatles, and John Prine, the Canadian Academy of Recording Of the darkness at the lonely heart of all masters at writing melodically and Arts and Sciences. This was Francey’s winter lyrically interesting songs. third album, his second album (Far Onstage, Francey is a treasure, with End of Summer) having already won a The astonishing visual quality of a calm, humble, but worldly wise de- Juno Award and Penguin Eggs Maga- these lyrics is common to David’s meanor. His singing and playing are zine Album of the Year prize. He has songs. It isn’t surprising to learn that as refreshingly spare as his writing. now taken home a total of three Juno he is a gifted visual artist, with his David’s stories could have provided awards, a prestigious SOCAN Folk Mu- beautifully moody paintings offered him with a fine stage career on their sic Award as well as taking home the for sale on his website. His songs and own. A night with Francey’s music is Grand Prize in both the International his paintings are grounded in every- a good reminder that we are all in this Acoustic Music Award and in the Folk day experience, be it positive or nega- together, right down to the ice rink category for the John Lennon Song- tive. In his music, Francey’s use of the nights and broken ice machines. writing Award. specific details of everyday life pull the There will be an opening set by Joe listener into the very center of the fa- Crookston. The lights above the skating rink miliar but somehow ghostlike picture, Illuminate the scene Details: as in his haunting “Cheap Motel” song: Apr. 19 (Tue), 2016, 7:00 pm (Doors at 6:30 pm). And on the snow the shadows show The Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave. Footsteps where we’ve been It’s concrete wall and concrete walks Madison, WI 53701, phone 608-661-8599 And Danny’s breath hangs motionless Concrete halls and concrete blocks Hovers like a dream In the cheap motel Please bring a non-perishable item for our lo- Above his head, in the lonely heart of cal food pantry winter The girl at the desk, she’s learning guitar Tickets $16 in advance $18 day of show Watching the faces, counting the cars All these awards and accolades In the cheap motel... Available at Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Mon- -- and there are countless more -- are ...The Ice machine, she’s broken down roe Street, Madison, or Spruce Tree Music, 851 totally deserved, honoring the gentle And we’re stuck out here on the edge East Johnson, Madison, or ONLINE at Brown artistry and genius of this man’s per- of town Paper Tickets: http://davidfrancey2016.bpt. formance and writing. The three- In the cheap motel... me/ If you are on Facebook, please consider (if you have not already) “friending” or is it “liking” this page. Then when you are on this page you can invite others to “like” this page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-Folk-Music-Society/34497984835 MARY LOU LORD - BACKSTREET ANGELS MARY LOU LORD ~ 2015 intriguing counterpoint to Williams’ Run that I’m On” is a gauzy confec- anguished one.