Artist description Born, bred and based in Australia, Kevin Johnson is a member of that elite club of song smiths whose works have become ingrained in the fabric of everyday life. 'Rock & Roll I Gave You the Best Years of my Life', which was covered by scores of artists the world over, is just one of the wonderful songs from this prolific writer. His career has spanned three decades and he continues to write, perform and record. His most recent project, the song "The Spirits of Old Sydney Town", is a haunting depiction of the early history of the city, his city, which is host to The 2000 Olympics.

Music Style singer / songwriter / storyteller / poet

Musical Influences Roy Orbison, The Beatles, Don Gibson, Marty Robbins, Ray Charles

Similar Artists Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Rogers, Cat Stevens, Leonard Cohen, Kris Kristofferson, Don McLean

Artist History Visit Web Site www.rocknrolligaveyou.com

Group Members Visit Web Site www.rocknrolligaveyou.com

Instruments Visit Web Site http://www.rocknrolligaveyou.com

Albums In The Quiet Corners Of My Mind, Rock & Roll I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life, A Man Of The 20th Century, Journeys, Night Rider, In The Spirit Of The Times, The Sun Will Shine Again

Press Reviews RBG POPULAR "LIFE CAN BE ROUGH LIFE CAN BE TOUGH" THE BEST OF KEVIN JOHNSON - Infinity Label - Festival Records - Producer K. JOHNSON. REVIEW BY DENNY TINDALE. Reviewing this album has been a taxing challenge, to say the least. My dilemma has been this - Kevin Johnson has a special place in my life; my admiration for him goes back many years and today he rates as probably my favourite performer. I find in his songs meaning and beauty that is embarrassing to define. So, how to express my opinions to you without appearing biased??? Perhaps to start with some of the background that has made Johnson the amazingly gifted writer he is today. Kevin Johnson's career began in the early 60's when he started writing songs for Col Joye and other stars of the very popular T.V. Show, 'Bandstand'. He recorded his first album, 'In The Quiet Corners Of My Mind' in late '69 and followed with his hit, 'Bonnie Please Don't Go'. A Nashville company heard 'Bonnie' and were so impressed with his ability they contracted Johnson to write country songs for them. His first own big hit came with 'Rock'n'Roll (I Gave You The Best Years Of My Life) which topped charts in Australia, U.K., N.Z. and throughout Europe, winning Johnson two major Australian awards. His follow-up album earned him a third award and became another international success. He has toured with Roberta Flack, made T.V. shows, held concert tours and is considered a superstar throughout Europe and the U.K. He has been honoured by APRA and its American equivalent, BMI, with awards for his outstanding contributions to music. I expect this timely release of the superlative Johnson's finest songs will promote the same public recognition he enjoys overseas, here in his home country. The songs selected for 'The Best Of' take you on a heartfelt journey through the full range of human emotions. His reminiscings seem to be our very own- only he expresses them in a way we never quite could. While he sings of life's disappointments, his is not the suicidal- depression evoked by Cohen, or the whiskeyed, gambling loneliness of Rogers. Rather it is an accepting appraisal of the emotional see-saw that is Life as we all know it. In songs such as 'Shaney Boy', 'Scotty', 'Iridescent Shadows' are to be found perfect examples of the poet Johnson and his profound yet simple style. 'life can be rough / life can be tough / life can be kind...so live with the good times / and learn from thebad / laugh at the fun times you've had / look for the reasons to carry you through / Scotty, that's all you can do' ('Scotty'). "Have you ever noticed / that the many things we never noticed / always seem much better / when we're looking back at them / and I wonder / do I see these coloured chapters of my life lying there / or just the iridescent shadows of some black and white affairs' (Iridescent Shadows'). He exposes love's bitter-sweet faces in the beautiful 'Bonnie', 'Somerset', 'Woman You Took My Life', There's Nothing I Would Rather Do'- from discovery, the joys, the tenderness to the confusion and pain of love lost. Appropriate anthems for our times are 'Man Of The 20th Century' which is self-explanatory, and 'Over The Hills And Far Away', a scenario from the life of an Anti-Establishment demonstrator who 'grows up'. Sounds rather ordinary but, with its ironic ending, the song becomes a poignant statement. Saving the best until last brings me to 'Kedron Brook', a song of deja-vu on a grand scale. Who hasn't been there? Johnson, with the exquisite imagery he conjures up, makes his experience positively enviable.... Visions of sunsets and soft Summer skies / like cellophane papers that danced in my eyes / echoes of footsteps that wandered their way through the last lonely lights of the day /...the gentry waltzing to the gentle maxinas / the hansom cabs swaying like young ballerinas /...when the world twirled around to an old-fashioned sound / and seasons were young in the ground / did I once stand there at Kedron Brook / watching the sun going down'. Lovely stuff! The string and accordion arrangement (mastered with the help of Tommy Tycho) is magnificent, adding a hauntingly beautiful dimension that lingers long after the song has faded.The musicians providing back-up to Johnson- (among the line-up, Doug Ashdown, Enzo Toppano, Rory O'Donohue, Bruce Brown)- play faultlessly; the consideration always being that the 'main instrument' is Johnson and all else is strictly complementary. That this intention is carried off so subtly is an accomplishment in itself. I tried, really tried, to find some criticism of the album, if only to convince you of my objectivity. I am happy to say I came up empty-handed. If ever music could be therapeutic, Johnson's is. If ever a songwriter could adequately define Life's emotional extremes, Johnson has. And if ever an album was worthy of a place in your collection, 'The Best Of Johnson' is most definitely that album. PERSONAL RATING:5

Location Sydney, NSW - Australia

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