Johnson's Crossroad "Blood in Black and White" (Dirty Boogie Records, 2009)

Carolina country folk clock in with an impressive debut

Johnson’s Crossing have grafted on the Carolina live circuit for a time until they got themselves a growing audience and then recorded this album. In fact just a cursory listen to ‘Blood in Black & White’ and it’s amazing to think that this is actually their debut release, such is it’s depth, sense of maturity and deep loss; and of course it’s consummate musicianship.

Lead vocalist Paul Johnson doesn’t sound so much like he’s been round the block a few times, he sounds like he helped design and build the block. He’s in control of a wonderfully weather-trampled melodic grumble; something like a countrified Tom Waits mixed with John Hiatt’s older brother. In addition, the man can turn out a decent tune and an often evocative, considered lyric.

Recorded entirely acoustically with a live-in-the-studio-feel and just a sparse core of guitar, dobro, mandolin and stand-up bass, with the occasional guest on banjo and harmonica beefing up the inherant old style country and bluegrass leanings, Johnson’s voice and narratives are rightly at the fore of each song.

How real the tales of Jail, Bail, loss and bitter hard times are one can’t ever tell. “I’ve done my time in places I didn’t want to be, although I’ll miss some faces I wont miss the scenery” he laments on superb opener ‘Left Behind’ but they are delivered with a believable sincerity that it scarcely matters.

‘You Need Not Look Me In The Eyes’ is a strong highlight with its loping country stroll. "When you come back you’ll still be gone..I’ve been working on a building for me and you, but the earth has shifted and I’m not sure my foundation will be all that strong” Johnson pines before being joined by some backing vocal harmonies. Thoughtful moments like this show there is, amazingly, still plenty of mileage left in the mournful heartbroken country ballad when done with skill and vision.

Being simply arranged acoustic country and blues of a formulaic persuasion dictates that it isn’t the most varied 40 mins of music available in the universe, and that can occasionally prove to be it’s blemish, however the band play and sing with a vibrancy that attracts the attention throughout.

A sturdy and impressive debut in every sense.

Date review added:  Thursday, March 04, 2010
Reviewer:  Ian Fildes
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  meet me at the crossroads