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Post by billhammond on Aug 20, 2017 21:28:58 GMT -5
Barb and I were among what looked like a couple hundred folks who attended a wonderful, moving memorial for Michael Johnson at the Dakota in downtown Mpls this afternoon.
There is quite a bit I could tell you tonight, but between MJ's passing in late July and Lonnie's passing in early May, I gotta say that today left me emotionally drained and I would rather pass along info tomoro after I've had a good night of sleep.
I will tell you this -- Michael was beloved on SO many levels, and by SO many people. Lots of parallels between his life and Lonnie's in that regard.
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,836 
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Post by Dub on Aug 20, 2017 22:18:05 GMT -5
Did you see Steve and Ruth Armstrong. I didn't ask them if they were going but thought they might. Pat Smith may have been there too. The five of us often get together for pizza on Sunday evenings and we didn't hear from them today.
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Post by billhammond on Aug 21, 2017 7:05:15 GMT -5
Did you see Steve and Ruth Armstrong. I didn't ask them if they were going but thought they might. Pat Smith may have been there too. The five of us often get together for pizza on Sunday evenings and we didn't hear from them today. I did not. In fact, I was surprised by how few familiar faces I saw. None of the Prairie Home alums, for instance. But there was a very good turnout and insightful and touching remarks by some of MJ's siblings and by his daughter (whom he met for the first time only six or seven years ago -- she had been given up for adoption at birth). She played harp and sang beautifully in a solo version of Warren Zevon's "Don't Let Us Get Sick." That was the only live music -- the rest was recorded songs done by Michael himself, and they sounded wonderful through the Dakota's first-rate sound system. |
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Post by Marshall on Aug 21, 2017 7:11:49 GMT -5
When I first saw this I thought, "That's funny. I wouldn't have figured Bill to be a Michael Jackson fan."
Beat it !
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Post by billhammond on Aug 21, 2017 7:24:06 GMT -5
When I first saw this I thought, "That's funny. I wouldn't have figured Bill to be a Michael Jackson fan." Beat it ! One of those who shared memories to those gathered yesterday recalled playing in a band assembled for an MJ gig at the Leinie Lodge Bandstand at the MN State Fair. The stage had this grandiose emcee with a hyper-deejay voice who introduced Michael thusly: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, PLEASE WELCOME RECORDING ARTIST MICHAEL JACKSON!!!!"
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Post by dradtke on Aug 21, 2017 8:49:25 GMT -5
When I first saw this I thought, "That's funny. I wouldn't have figured Bill to be a Michael Jackson fan." Beat it ! One of those who shared memories to those gathered yesterday recalled playing in a band assembled for an MJ gig at the Leinie Lodge Bandstand at the MN State Fair. The stage had this grandiose emcee with a hyper-deejay voice who introduced Michael thusly: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, PLEASE WELCOME RECORDING ARTIST MICHAEL JACKSON!!!!"
I was there for that, sitting on the sidewalk with a Leinie's because all the seats were full. |
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Post by millring on Aug 21, 2017 9:30:19 GMT -5
It's odd how I recollect Michael Johnson -- his music, his acceptance, his popularity.
I, on the one hand, have never made any bones about it -- I have a high tolerance for -- bordering on a love of -- sappy music. Strings don't ruin an arrangement for me. I love maj7th -- much to the chagrin of almost every guitar-playing friend I have ever known. I love musicals and big band music. I love Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and even Mel Torme. I thought the arrangements done by the Wrecking Crew (fresh in my mind because I finally got the opportunity to watch it on NetFlix the other night) were genius. My favorite band of the 60s was the Rascals with their "How Can I Be Sure" and their "It's a Beautiful Morning" and their "Groovin'"
But for years -- fifty of them -- I've been alone in that love.
And when I started buying Michael Johnson albums back at the end of the 70s (There Is A Breeze) and everything available in the 80s, I was alone. Everyone HATED Michael Johnson. He was sappy, over-produced, saccharine, whitebread, weepy and unlistenable. In fact, every album I bought, I bought as a cut-out. Everyone I knew who I would mention Michael Johnson to, I might as well have asked them if they listen to Englebert Humperdink.
Michael Johnson was icky.
In the 90s I started to catch him on Mountain Stage (I have the recording on cheap cassette tape) and a few other radio programs of that ilk. Then I caught wind of the fact that he was touring with AKUS (I have the duet with Krauss on disc here).
Where was everyone in the 70s?
Now, it seems, he was beloved.
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Post by billhammond on Aug 21, 2017 9:37:45 GMT -5
We have a skewed view of him here in Minnesota,I think, as he lived here from 1969 to 1985, made a lot of connections while here and played a lot regionally -- and all it takes is one or two of his shows to hook a listener, and his stage presence and overall friendliness were contagious. He was just an incredible all-around singer/player/performer/entertainer. And once he moved to Nashville, I guess it didn't take long for the locals to embrace him once they had the chance to see him sing and play at recording dates, etc., and realized he wasn't just a good guitarist, he was a great guitarist, and likewise with his vocals.
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Post by dradtke on Aug 21, 2017 12:25:46 GMT -5
John seems to know a whole different everyone than I do.
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Post by millring on Aug 21, 2017 12:33:26 GMT -5
John seems to know a whole different everyone than I do. You're from dat way up nort ting. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2017 12:36:07 GMT -5
I didn't know Johnson but I knew people who knew him. And, like those who knew Lonnie, I can honestly say I never heard anyone say a bad word about him. Given how, uh, particular some musicians can be sometimes, that is quite a testament to Johnson and Lonnie.
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Post by Marshall on Aug 21, 2017 13:39:52 GMT -5
It's odd how I recollect Michael Johnson -- his music, his acceptance, his popularity. I, on the one hand, have never made any bones about it -- I have a high tolerance for -- bordering on a love of -- sappy music. Strings don't ruin an arrangement for me. I love maj7th -- much to the chagrin of almost every guitar-playing friend I have ever known. I love musicals and big band music. I love Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and even Mel Torme. I thought the arrangements done by the Wrecking Crew (fresh in my mind because I finally got the opportunity to watch it on NetFlix the other night) were genius. My favorite band of the 60s was the Rascals with their "How Can I Be Sure" and their "It's a Beautiful Morning" and their "Groovin'" But for years -- fifty of them -- I've been alone in that love. And when I started buying Michael Johnson albums back at the end of the 70s (There Is A Breeze) and everything available in the 80s, I was alone. Everyone HATED Michael Johnson. He was sappy, over-produced, saccharine, whitebread, weepy and unlistenable. In fact, every album I bought, I bought as a cut-out. Everyone I knew who I would mention Michael Johnson to, I might as well have asked them if they listen to Englebert Humperdink. Michael Johnson was icky. In the 90s I started to catch him on Mountain Stage (I have the recording on cheap cassette tape) and a few other radio programs of that ilk. Then I caught wind of the fact that he was touring with AKUS (I have the duet with Krauss on disc here). Where was everyone in the 70s? Now, it seems, he was beloved. Englebert Humperdink - Now THERE was a singer. |
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Post by billhammond on Aug 21, 2017 13:40:47 GMT -5
I must admit that until this week, I thought Michael had written "Bluer Than Blue," but he did not. It was penned by Randy Goodrum, who also had a chart-topper with "You Needed Me," as recorded by Anne Murray back in the day, and other hits. Randy grew up in Arkansas and played keyboards in a high school jazz trio called the Three Kings, whose sax player was some guy named Bill Clinton.
In fact, just about all of MJ's hits were written by someone else. He especially championed the songs of Hugh Prestwood, and rightfully so -- he wrote such gems as "Bristlecone Pine," The Moon Is Over Her Shoulder,"
"The Song Remembers When" and one that Lonnie loved to do, "Ghost in This House."
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Post by millring on Aug 21, 2017 13:54:25 GMT -5
One song he does get at least partial writing credit is my favorite of his -- maybe my favorite recording of guitar and voice ever. Empty Hearts. I don't know the whole story. It was written by Michael McDonald but (seems to me) at some later point Johnson's name was also added. By the time AKUS recorded it it was credited to both Michaels. I guessed (without knowing for sure) that perhaps Johnson's guitar arrangement was what made the change.
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Post by millring on Aug 21, 2017 13:56:47 GMT -5
incidentally, besides the Bluer than Blue thing, this album was my introduction to Johnson. I like his take on Rooty Toot Toot at least as much as Brown's (when I'm listening to Brown's I sing Johnsons. It's a perfect harmony). And I like his take on On The Road a zillion times better than John Denver's.
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Post by TKennedy on Aug 21, 2017 13:59:09 GMT -5
Hated to miss that gathering. When I rode up to Alexandria with him he had just discovered he had a long lost daughter and was really excited.
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Post by billhammond on Aug 21, 2017 14:15:40 GMT -5
"There is a Breeze" was co-produced by Phil Ramone, Peter Yarrow, Chris Dedrick and Michael Johnson; and featured Leo Kottke on guitar, Gerry Niewood on saxophone and Ralph Towner on guitar.
"In Your Eyes" is clearly a tune with Kottke aboard.
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Post by drlj on Aug 21, 2017 17:09:25 GMT -5
I always liked him. I like and use Maj7ths, too.
I really liked his voice. I wish I could have met him.
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Post by billhammond on Aug 21, 2017 17:37:16 GMT -5
OK, I think we need a Major-Seventh Jam, playing songs by the likes of Michael Johnson, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, John Sebastian, the Buckinghams, New Colony Six, Peter and Gordon and TONS of other acts in the '60s and '70s.
I leave the location to those smarter than me. I do not know offhand where the Major Seventh Epicenter of the United States might be located.
I am actually semi-serious about this. I would totally LOVE to sit around a patio table littered with foods and bevs and trade off the schmaltziest crap we can possibly outdo each other with.
Notice I left out the band America. Have to draw the line somewhere.
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Post by millring on Aug 21, 2017 17:47:13 GMT -5
OK, I think we need a Major-Seventh Jam, playing songs by the likes of Michael Johnson, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot, John Sebastian, the Buckinghams, New Colony Six, Peter and Gordon and TONS of other acts in the '60s and '70s. I leave the location to those smarter than me. I do not know offhand where the Major Seventh Epicenter of the United States might be located. I am actually semi-serious about this. I would totally LOVE to sit around a patio table littered with foods and bevs and trade off the schmaltziest crap we can possibly outdo each other with. Notice I left out the band America. Have to draw the line somewhere. That could be the most fun I ever had. |
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