Search - Michael Johnathon :: Homestead

Nicely-arranged project emphasizes devotion to home, family

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 08/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Total Playing Time - 48:32 -- Michael Johnathon is a consummate musician, a singer and songwriter with something to say. In this case, the theme revolves around home, with songs composed in the glow of Johnathon's Kentucky farmhouse fireplace. After the reflective "Winter's Eve," the album launches into "The Homestead Suite" with Sunrise (Jenny's Theme), Homestead and Suppertime. The album's title cut, "Homestead," tells a story of a peaceful autumn evening at home in woods, complete with music, family, homemade bread and a glass of wine. The song even makes mention of a couple of the assisting musicians, Sam Bush (mandolin, fiddle) and J.D. Crowe (banjo). Some others appearing on this album include Rob Ickes (dobro), Ronnie McCoury (mandolin), Mike Cleveland (fiddle), Barbara Lamb (fiddle), John Cowan (bass), and Don Rigsby (mandolin).Johnathon's seventh album also features some cello, flutes, percussion, French horns, fluglehorns, trumpets, sitar, electric guitar and jaw harp on various cuts. The result is a nicely-arranged, multi-instrumental patchwork of tones and rhythms that resemble a cozy quilt that warms you while you relax in your old rocking chair. "The Crimson Rose Trilogy" begins with Conception, a one-minute prelude of three mandolins. It segues into The Garden, the story of a maiden with a secret that only a garden knows, a child who was lost and buried there near a crimson rose. The third piece in the trilogy, Redemption, provides a joyous instrumental "musical expression of the maiden's freedom from pain after she dies." At this point, the album's tempos start to escalate with a bluesy "Already Gone." Track 11 ("Ayatolla McHussein") is one of my favorites, with its moderate tempo and a catchy melody featuring banjo, sitar, cello and percussion. The Gambler's Grave is a murder ballad in which both an adulterous wife and a gambler meet their demise. Homestead ends on a slightly incongruous note, the old-timey "MichaelB Rag" (actually a medley of Over the Waterfall and Arkansas Traveler) and "Homer's Workshop" sandwiching reflective love songs ("Appreciation" written for Michael's wife and "Masterpiece" written for his daughter). Michael Johnathon has been busy as a touring folksinger. He's also written a book (with accompanying CD) called WoodSongs which combines songs, poetry and social commentary. That book/album helped Michael launch the WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, a live weekly program broadcast on 400 stations (and internet) which provides exposure for up-and-coming artists. Johnathon is a hardworking musician who is dedicated to his art, and Homestead is an album that also emphasizes his devotion to home and family. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)"