Greg Johnson

"Kiwi music icon Greg Johnson proved his musical prowess again, showcasing his tight set of new tunes recorded in LA. Perhaps because of his US immersion, at times his vocal quality resembled chilled-out US rocker Dave Matthews. Much to the Kiwi crowd's delight he performed Don't Wait Another Day and his unmistakable velvety tones re-emerged. His new melodic ballad Sunny Day felt particularly appropriate given the summer weather. The smooth harmonies and beautifully intertwined keyboard and guitar in this and other tracks impressed onlookers, who scurried for autographs after his set. "
- NZ Herald

He probably wouldn't thank me for saying it, but if there's an adjective that I'd readily apply to Greg Johnson's new album it's 'effortless'.

Which isn't to say Here Comes the Caviar lacks ambition, it's more the apparent ease with which it all hangs together.

There's a simple assurance to nearly all of the songs that's very likeable and, to my ear at least, it's refreshingly free from any conscious style or intended effect.

In fact, if it has a consistent tone I'd have to say it's a sort of rueful and smiling shrug of the shoulders. Whatever the case, it makes it a bloody good companion, particularly when you throw in Johnson's rare gift for melody.

That means you get the charming - could be a great little single - acoustic pop of 'Save yourself', 'Kiss me' and 'No love wasted' alongside the plangent piano-driven 'Lose you girl' and 'Don't be the one'.

There's also the wry, knowing humour of 'Love in the air' and a brilliant ballad of the frontier in 'Handles of Pearl'.

I've no idea what Greg Johnson makes of the American West Coast, and it's a pity that we don't see more of him playing live as a result, but if his self imposed exile keeps producing records like this then it's well worth the absence. - xtra

19th April 2004

HERE COMES THE CAVIAR, Greg Johnson (Capitol)
In the years between Graham Brazier's last two albums, Greg Johnson has managed to create an entire catalogue of solo recordings: six albums and a "best of". Not bad for a guy who at times seemed better known for propping up the bars of Ponsonby than as a popsmith.

Although his voice has never seemed until now a commanding instrument, he has always written to its strengths and his best songs almost sing themselves. Tuneful and intelligent, they don't scream out their New Zealandness, and yet it is hard to imagine them coming from anywhere else.

But Johnson's latest album arrives from offshore. Recorded in Los Angeles with Dandy Warhols producer Clark Stiles, Here Comes the Caviar marks the culmination of more than two years in California, in which Johnson has relentlessly gigged and networked in an all-out effort to make a splash beyond the small pond of New Zealand pop.

And if the title and content are anything to go by, Johnson is winning. This is the most consistently upbeat album he has made. Surprisingly, it is not LA-slick; just well-played, full of tasty organic sounds. Even the looming reality of war – hard to ignore if you're living and working alongside ordinary Americans, as Johnson has been – does little to dampen the ebullience of Johnson's new songs. "You save the world/But first you save yourself" goes the chirpy refrain of the album's first single.

"Good luck to the ones/who speak out against the guns," he sings in "Love in the Air", but first it's "off with your pale blue jeans". Even in the face of apocalypse, Johnson can't resist a leering seduction.
And he has seductive hooks to match, usually several per song, always saving the best for the chorus. Songs like "Standing Under Starlight" and "It's Been So Long" are easily as memorable, and with more lasting depth, than anything currently being spun by his Stateside contemporaries. If American radio discovers this, the bars of Ponsonby may not be seeing Johnson again for a long time. - NZ Listener

Greg Johnson
Here Comes The Caviar

(Capitol Music/EMI)

New Zealand Release Date: April 5, 2004

www.gregjohnsonmusic.com

Revered as a pop star in his native New Zealand, singer/songwriter/pianist/trumpeter Greg Johnson still remains something of a well-kept secret in the United States. After the release of his phenomenal Sea Breeze Motel in 2000 failed to generate big numbers sales-wise, Johnson thought it might be time to move on. Literally. With a new manager and a new independent record label deal lined up (with the man who produced several of Fleetwood Mac's greatest hits), Johnson took the plunge and moved to Los Angeles (along with manager Michelle Bakker and guitarist Ted Brown) about two years ago.

After six months of hard work, both in the studio, playing local clubs and making connections, Johnson was released from the label when it hit a financial downturn. Suddenly it was just three ex-pat New Zealanders in sunny Santa Monica without a means to survive.

But given lemons, the optimist Johnson and company made lemonade. Through their almost record deal, they'd met Dandy Warhols' producer Clark Stiles, who agreed to produce the new album and allowed it to be recorded in his home studio. With the help of Minibar's Sid Jordan on bass and Malcolm Cross on drums, two years of hard work resulted in the reality that became Here Comes The Caviar.

All the while, Johnson continues to play clubs, slowly but steadily building a following (he was granted a performance visa that allows him to get paid legally in the U.S.). He and Brown play a regular Sunday night gig at Renne's club and a monthly deal at Hollywood's The Hotel Café. Surviving on brown rice, red wine, tips, dinner and drinks, Johnson's chosen album title is ironic (and like him, ever hopeful).

The good news is that on his sixth album (there's also a "best of" collection that was released in 2001), Johnson's songwriting is as strong as ever. His change of scenery hasn't changed his abilities or his attitude. The good news is that it's the same Greg Johnson we've always known. If anything, the new material shows a bit more maturity and a refreshing streak of hopeful optimism, along with a lyrical penchant for the word "pearl." These ten songs are assured and confident; continuing the affable, offhand intimate storytelling manner Johnson has made his very own.

"It's Been So Long" opens the CD on a positive note, urging a friend to return to form, a reminder to go out and have fun: "It's been so long since you were smiling / You've got to let a little bit of it out / Don't be unsure, just take a step / Don't let yourself get caught up in this desert of doubt / You've got to let it out." This sweet tune will have you smiling, as Johnson assures us that "sometimes it's good to end up on the floor."

"Standing Under Starlight" is one of two songs co-written with guitarist Ted Brown. This pleasant ditty discusses the "city of angels" and the struggle inherent in keeping it all together under those blue skies: "Sometimes I'm nine dollars short of ten / And I lose the run of myself now and then / But I'm hanging on to hope as if she's mine / Even though she fakes it half the time / There must be an angel somewhere in this lonely town / who's not already found." Rami Jaffee (The Wallflowers) guests on piano accordion.

The album's first single, "Save Yourself" is the strongest track by far. This ultra-catchy piano-and organ-driven ballad (featuring some wonderful Hammond organ by Jeff Young) is the creative result of relationship gone sour. Johnson gives us the exploring metaphor for what appears to be his one-sided love: "I'm a great believer in believing in you / But I don't have a compass, no plans for pushing through / I guess I'm pinned down, bad weather's on the way / I need your shelter now but / first you save yourself / then you save the world."

For the uninformed, Greg Johnson prides himself on his strong appetites for food and for women. His lover's persona often exudes a sort of boyish charm - and that's on display in the equally charming "Love In The Air." Here, amidst casually politic statements like "down with the war" and "good luck to the ones who speak out against the guns" is the constant of love. If you don't smile when you hear the contrasting statements "off with the machines / off with your pale blue jeans," you don't get the humor that helps keep Johnson sane in an often crazy town.

Johnson has a gift of casual ease in his storytelling, and his Auckland accent draws you in further. Such is the case in the song "Don't Be The One," where Johnson is looking for a true friend in a world full of traitors, seeking reassurance after "yelling at robots all day." The philosophy is simple enough, and true: "Love is the one thing that stops life from turning to shit."

Another endearing love song is the synth-accented "Kiss Me" (co-written with Brown). Here Johnson is the bad boy, 'fessing up to his drinking and fighting yet still seeking advice and a lover's kiss. The piano ballad "Lose You Girl" captures the feel of a live lounge performance, a sad reminisce about regrets for a relationship already lost. We get a taste of Johnson's trumpet work here.

Piano and vocals are the bare-bones accompaniment to "Handles of Pearl," yet Johnson turns it into a haunting examination of what dueling men have done for the love of a girl: "Where do you run to when you've got no one to believe in? / Have you been dreaming the bullets back into the gun?"

Johnson has a knack for creating sweet melodic love ballads that dwindle between the realms of confession, bragging and apology. Such is the case with the gorgeous "If You Think It's Over," wherein he delivers the wonderful line: "You're in my DNA." This dulcet tune is enhanced by Jeff Young's Hammond and Ted Brown's harmonies, and this lyrical level-headed assessment: "Baby you are crazy if you think it's over / it hasn't been all clover, but it hasn't all been bad."

The closer "No Love Wasted" shows Johnson's philosophical bent. He's all full of questions here, urging us to keep our hearts true and singing this truism: "There is no love wasted on the lonely / There is no love wasted in the sun / If you want me you can always hold me / If you don't then, you can always run."

Johnson serves up ten melodic winners with a wistful yet optimistic attitude, hope amid the troubles that surround him in his adopted home. There is warmth and intimacy abounding, preserved well by Clark Stiles' production work. Johnson and Brown weave keyboards and guitars well, a result of their friendship and experience playing together.

Here Comes The Caviar is a tasty, more mature musical sampler of Johnson's premium songwriting abilities. It expresses ease and charm and confidence, even as he's moved across the world in search of a larger audience.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, go and hear Johnson play live. He's an intelligent man who still believes that love conquers all, and can back up his assertions in captivating melodic songs. You may not know Greg Johnson now - but his accomplished sixth album proves he's going to be around for a long time to come. - fufkin

These are the stations that added SAVE YOURSELF recently

8/9-8/15 Greg Johnson- "Its Been So Long"
CD- Here Comes The Caviar (Baria)
RRMON  "SAVE YOURSELF" 2/0 10x(-11)
RRIND  4/0  50X(+8)-"ITS BEEN SO LONG"
FMQB- Album   11x (+1)
FMQB-TRK Debut  150-130*  55x(+10)
STATIONS 8/1/06 8/8/06 8/15/06 Comments
ACAFE Ann Arbor,MI                                     COMMERCIAL  
DMX LA,CA                      COMMERCIAL PASS
KAXE Grand rapids, MN             NON COMMERCIAL  
KBAC  Sante Fe,NM            COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR LUKEWARM
KBCO  Boulder, CO            COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED   SO SO RESPONSE
KCLC St. Louis,MO                 NON COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
KCMP Minneapolis,MN             NON COMMERCIAL PASS
KCRW Santa Monica,CA             NON COMMERCIAL PASS
KCUV Boulder,CO        commercial IR IR  
KDBB Park Hills, MO                     COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR C C  
KDNK Aspen, CO                        NON-COMMERCIAL  
KDTR Missoula,MT       COMMERCIAL PASS
KENZ  SLC, UT            COMMERCIAL  RNR MONITORED IR C C  
KEXP Seattle                                      NON-COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
KFAN Fredricksburg,TX            COMMERCIAL  C C C  
KFMU Steamboat Springs,CO                            COMMERCIAL      IR C C  
KFOG San Francisco,CA                               COMMERCIAL  RNR MONITORED PASS
KGSR Austin,TX                                   COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED  PASS
KHUM Ferndale, CA                                    COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR PASS
KINK  Portland, OR                                     COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED PASS
KKCR Kauai, HI                     NON-COMMERCIAL PASS
KLCC Eugene,OR                             NON-COMMERCIAL  
KLRR Bend,OR                      COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR SO SO REACTION TO LAST
KMMS  Bozeman,MT           COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR IR C C  
KMTN  Jackson, WY            COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  C C C  
KMTT Seattle, WA                                     COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED IR PASS
KNBA Anchorage, AK                  NON-COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
KOHO Leavenworth,WA                         COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR PASS
KOZT Ft. Bragg, CA                     COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR PASS
KPIG  Watsonville, CA            COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR PASS
KPND Sandpoint, ID            COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  C C C PLAYED LAST TRACK
KPRI San Diego, CA                      COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED PASS
KRCC Colo Sprgs CO                        NON-COMMERCIAL  
KRCL SLC, UT                              NON-COMMERCIAL  
KROK  Leesville, LA           COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR 12 11 11 ADD 6/12
KRSH Santa Rosa, CA                                   COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED  SP SP SP  
KRVB  Boise, ID            COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED   
KRVI Fargo, ND                                     COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR PASS FOR NOW..WATCHES CHART
KRVM Eugene OR                             NON-COMMERCIAL 2 2 0 ADD 5/30  Drop 8/15
KSLU Hammond, LA                              NON-COMMERCIAL  
KSMT  Breckinridge, CO       commercial PASS
KSPN  Aspen, CO            COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR PASS
KSQY Rapid City, SD            COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  IR C C  
KSUT Ignacio, CO                         NON-COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
KTAO Taos, NM                                   COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  C C C  
KTBG Kansas City, MO                               NON COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
KTCZ  Minneapolis, MN                                     COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED WILL WATCH
KTHX Reno, NV                      COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED PASS
KUMD Duluth, MN                               NON-COMMERCIAL  
KUNC Greeley, CO                                NON-COMMERCIAL  
KUT Austin, TX                                NON-COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
KUWR Laramie , WY                                     NON COMMERCIAL 0 0 0 ADD 6/6
KVNF Paonia, CO                                 NON-COMMERCIAL  
KWMT  Tucson, AZ           COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED  HH IR IR  
KXCI Tuson , AZ                          NON-COMMERCIAL  
KYSL  Frisco, CO            COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  PASS
KZMV Breckenridge, CO                      COMMERCIAL PASS
KZRC Bay City, TX                      COMMERCIAL 11 11 11 ADD 6/19
KZYR  Vail, CO                    COMMERCIAL C C C  
MPB Blue Hill, ME                               NON-COMMERCIAL  
MSPR  Morehead, KY                              NON-COMMERCIAL C C POSS TEST
Music Choice New York, NY                     NON-COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
Sirius  New York, NY         SATELLITE RNR INDICATOR  
WALW Alabama                         NON-COMMERCIAL PASS
WAPS- Akron, OH                           NON-COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR PASS
WBCG Port Charlotte, FL            COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR     15 15 23 ADD 6/6
WBJB Monmouth, NJ                          NON-COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR  
WBOS Boston MA                                  COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED  C C C RE-ADD 'SAVE YOURSELF" 6/19
WBSD Milwaukee, WI                                 NON-COMMERCIAL  
WBZC Pemberton, NJ                                  NON-COMMERCIAL  
WCBE Columbus,OH                             NON-COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
WCLZ  Portland, ME                                     COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
WCOO  Charleston, SC                                     COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED IR IR IR  
WDIY Lehigh, PA                          NON-COMMERCIAL  
WDOD Chattanooga, TN                     COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED PASS
WDST   Woodstock, NY           COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  SO SO
WEBK  Rutland, VT            COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR   P P P  "SAVE…"-6X
WEHM Amagansett, NY                                     COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR C C C VERY TIGHT LIST
WERS  Boston,MA                      NON-COMMERCIAL  
WERU  East Orland, ME                      NON-COMMERCIAL  
WEVL Memphis, TN                                NON-COMMERCIAL  
WFHB Bloomington, IN                               NON-COMMERCIAL  
WFIV  Farragut, TN                COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR IR C C  
WFPK Lousiville, KY                       NON-COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR  
WFUV Bronx,NY                              NON-COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  
WGWG Spartanburg, NC                           NON-COMMERCIAL  
WHRV Norfolk, VA                      NON COMMERCIAL  
WKZE Sharon,CT                               COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR SO SO
WMFO Medford, MA                                  NON-COMMERCIAL  
WMMM Madison, WI                                  COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED  IR IR IR  
WMNF Tampa, FL                   NON-COMMERCIAL  
WMVY Marthas Vin, MA                                     COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR SO SO
WMWV N.Conway, NH                     COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR 8 8 6 ADD 6/12
WNCS   Montpelier, VT           COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR  SP SP SP  
WNCW  Greenville, NC                               NON-COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR  
WNKU Highland Hgts, KY                            NON-COMMERCIAL 0 0 0  
WNRN Charlottesville, VA                                     NON-COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR  
WNTI Hackettstown,NJ                            NON-COMMERCIAL  
WORLD CAFE Phil, PA                                     NON-COMMERCIAL SYNDICATED  
WQKL Ann Arbor, MI                     COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR IR SP SP  
WRLT Nashville, TN         COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED  
WRNR Annapolis, MD            COMMERCIAL  RNR MONITORED   PASS
WRNX Holyoke, MA                                  COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED  WILL REVIEW NEW SINGLE
WRSI Northhampton, MA                                     COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR PASS
WSGE Dallas, NC                       NON-COMMERCIAL  
WTMD Towson, MD                               NON-COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR  
WTTS Bloomington, IN                    COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED IR C C  
WTYD Williamsburg,VA                                     COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR T-3X T-3X T-3X  
WUIN Wilmington,NC                            COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR 8 8 10 ADD 7/24
WUKY Lexington, KY                               NON-COMMERCIAL  
WUMB Boston, MA                                    NON-COMMERCIAL  
WUTC Chattanooga, TN                                 NON-COMMERCIAL  
WVOD  Wanchese, NC          COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR   C C C SO SO WILL WATCH
WWVV Hilton Head, SC                                    COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR HH HH HH JUST RECEIVED
WXPK  White Plains, NY                    COMMERCIAL RNR INDICATOR C C C  
WXPN Phil, PA                            NON-COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR  
WXRT Chicago, IL        COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED  
WXRV Haverhill, MA           COMMERCIAL  RNR MONITORED   6 P P "Save Yourself"-4X
WYCE Grand Rapids, MI                               NON-COMMERCIAL  
WYEP Pittsburgh PA                                     NON-COMMERCIAL  RNR INDICATOR  
WYOU Virg. Beach, VA                                       NON-COMMERCIAL 11 11 11 add 6/13
WYSO Dayton OH                      NON-COMMERCIAL  
WZEW Mobile, AL        COMMERCIAL RNR MONITORED PASS
WZGC Atlanta, GA           COMMERCIAL  RNR MONITORED    
XM-CAFÉ Wash DC            SATELLITE  RNR INDICATOR 1X-"SAVE Yourself"
XM-LOFT Wash DC            SATELLITE  1 6 11 ADD 7/25

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