Album Notes

"Johnson's voice...low, rich, reedy...creates an intimate soundscape and utterly captivates the listener from the first note...the arrangements and textures remain sparse but always wonderfully evocative. Understatement made into an art form."
- Philippe Varlet, Celtic Grooves Newsletter

“Here is a clear case of a singer who has learned his craft over a long period by listening and immersion in the traditions he so clearly loves….Taken individually the tracks are carefully chosen and give, not only variety, but an insight into the singer’s range and skill. Taken collectively they are a pleasure to listen to….For a first album this is a great offering….”
- Paul Davenport, f Roots

“Steve Johnson is a storyteller. What [these songs] all share is Johnson’s ability to express narrative through rich tone, thoughtful phrasing, and clear understanding of the lyrical and melodic ideas of the song he chooses.”
- Kerry Dexter, Music Road

Steve Johnson is a city dweller, but his old songs often hail from distant rural places. He draws from sources in Ireland, Britain, Appalachia and the American Southwest. His sound is traditional, with crisp inflection and resonant tone. Though a modern interpreter, he resists fusion and stays with the roots. His delivery is unhurried, yet carries a sense of urgency.

Joined by several leading musicians of the current folk and traditional music scene:
Eamon O’Leary - acoustic guitar, bouzouki, fretless 5-string banjo.
Lisa Gutkin - baritone violin, harmony vocals.
Patrick Ourceau - fiddle.
Sara Milonovich - viola, harmony vocals.
Natalie Haas - cello.
Christopher Layer - flute.
Abbie Gardner - lap steel guitar.
Buddy Connolly - accordion.
Greg Anderson - piano, keyboards, ebow.

Produced by: Greg Anderson.
All titles Traditional except "Lone Shanakyle" by Thomas Madigan and "The Boys of Barr na Sráide" by Sigerson Clifford.
Label: Borough South Music.