Search - Jeff Johnson :: The Memory Tree

Jeff's latest is a poignant, introspective look within...

R. Lindeboom | Paso Robles, CA USA | 07/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Back in the late 1980s I discovered the music of Jeff Johnson. His late 80's works like "Pilgrimage" and "Great Romantics" are jazzy progressive rock classics which regularly find their way into my CD player. Even after years of knowing Jeff's music, they still bear repeated playings even though I know the songs quite well after all this time. Now, on this, his latest of his approx. 25 albums, he explores the subject of the death of his friend (who longtime listeners know from his work creating many of Jeff's covers, etc.). Far from being a depressing work, "The Memory Tree" is a poignant, introspective look at the beauty and frailty of life -- and how those we love leave their impact and imprint in those of us who remember them and the beauty they brought to our lives.When this CD arrived at our house the other day, my wife and I played it numerous times before reaching for another of Jeff's many projects to follow it. There are few artists who address Jeff's artistic sensibilities as he reaches for inspiration into such disparate sources as classic European literature and poetry, as well as ancient biblical texts that he plumbs in his quest for substance and imagery. Against these idealogical musing is set his balance of fluid and melodic jazz mixed with progressive rock strings and folky, Celtic stylings -- each giving their part to make his music contain a sophistication missing in most projects today. On this album, we find Jeff mixing his customary keyboards, piano, synthesizers and samplings with two cellos, some violins, flutes and irish whistles, both fretted and fretless basses, a rich assortment of percussion and riding atop it all is Jeff's voice backed with the incredible classical prowess of Janet Chvatal -- a woman whose voice is matched by few on this planet. Her clarity and range is breathtaking and you have to hear her to believe how amazing she can be. This album is one of Jeff's mellower works. I love this project and think that Jeff has given his fans one of the best in his weighty catalog. The best way to summarize the music here would be to say that it's classically inspired, somewhat jazzy, sorta folkish and rock influenced Celtic lushly orchestrated music. And oh, did I mention it's very good??? ;)"

",,,for all who have lost and hope to find again..."

Teresa R. Asgharian | 06/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That piece of a line from the dedication of The Memory Tree says everything. Jeff Johnson has found that delicate balance between grief with it's pain and faith with it's hope. Within the songs are a journey traveled and feelings met and embraced. Anyone who has experienced loss will know that there is no "getting over it", only a "going through it" and coming out the other side wiser, stronger, older and accepting of the fact that life has changed. I won't presume to know what the intended message was, I can only share what I have felt inside the music and the poetry. Here, the emotions are found that survivors feel so deeply but cannot express in a way to give relief. I have shared it with others and we just smile and cry and say, "YES! That's it exactly!". There's such a wonderful peace to knowing that someone else really knows how you feel. Don't think, though, that it is a melancholy cd! It is a beautiful passage through these feelings and has a power to heal the heart and soul. I feel uplifted, strengthened and renewed, able to see and focus on the positive aspects of my experiences, large/small, significant or trivial. The blend of people who contributed to this cd is flawless. They seem to speak as one.

If you or anyone that you know is in need of some peace, a way to tap into those emotions that are so hard to reach and give voice to, then this is for you."