Those of you who love old-school vocals will love Tera Johnson's new CD, The Other Side. Setting this chanteuse apart are her original compositions written in the style of the standards and they stand poised with the classics on The Other Side. 

She covers the Cole Porter classics, Love For Sale and I've Got You Under My Skin with a lyricism that's so endearing. The first is an intoxicating rendition, while the latter features fresh and staccatoed vocals. Johnson's interpretation of Thelonious Monk's 'Round Midnight is a stunning piece with fluent vocals, a gorgeous acoustic guitar solo plus congas that lend a Latin vibe and the timeless Bart Howard composition Fly Me To The Moon, opening with an elegant acoustic piano solo, is out of this world. Johnson rises to new levels with a lyrical sensitivity that'll take your breath away! 

Her original compositions, natural and enduring, will make you do a double take. Clean vocals and smooth delivery in concert with an ensemble of upright bass, piano and drums on Funny Face let you know that Johnson's musical maturity is far beyond her years and Lovely is as the name suggests. The guitar work and sax solo complement perfectly while On A Good Day not only will the delightful lyrics, "Four-leaf clover and winter's over…melt your cares away," they'll also put a huge smile on your face. The Morning After becomes a beautiful bossa, and you'll love Havin' The Blues as the electric guitar underscores raw emotion. Then Johnson comes to a swingin', scattin' and sassy conclusion with That Man Is Mine. Great finish! 

Go ahead experience The Other Side where vocals are fresh, lyrics charming, music timeless and the ensemble superb. I guess the grass really is greener!
                            Read more...
                        

                            
Does the world need another female vocalist?  It does if her name is Tera Johnson! Her new release, "The Other Side" is a great showcase for her many gifts, not the least of which is a truly marvelous voice. Alternatingly tough and tender, Tera has the chops to tackle not only jazz, but blues.  And she does justice to them both --
never an easy task!

"The Other Side" is a terrific mix of standards and originals. Her phrasing on Cole
Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin" is fresh and unusual, breathing new life into an old favorite.  Tera's approach to the classics is original.  Lesser singers just connect the dots in a bland and safe manner.  But Tera strides into new territory and just sparkles in the process.  It's the kind of sensitivity and originality that's show by singers who are also songwriters.  Tera proves that she's a rising talent in that field, as well.  The jaunty, infectious "Funny Face" is a real standout --
lyrically charming and melodically strong.

And she's no slouch in the blues department, either. "That Man is Mine" is a real crowd pleaser that will have all the women listeners nodding along in total understanding.

This is a real gem of a CD and certainly a strong indicator of great things to come
from Tera Johnson.
                            Read more...
                        

                            
"Tera Johnson's debut CD The Other Side showcases her distinctive and fresh vocal stylings as well as her solid songwriting abilities with backing from a razor-sharp band. The disc's seven original songs blend seamlessly with
thoughtfully arranged selections by Cole Porter, Thelonius Monk, and Bart Howard. Johnson not only has a point of view on the chestnuts of the Great American Songbook, she also has something to say as a songwriter. The album is a delight from start to finish."
                            Read more...
                        

                            
"Tera Johnson's debut CD, 'The Other Side', is a very impressive  
first outing, featuring a delightful mix of tasty jazz standards and  
her original material.   Her arrangements use a pleasing variety of  
accompanying textures (with fine musicianship displayed all around),  
ranging from smooth bossa nova feels to gritty shuffles, all of which  
showcase her accurate pitch and light vocal timbre.   Whether Tera is  
singing her own material or the tried and true songs of yesteryear,  
she brings her own sense of style and a lyric delivery that is  
enchanting."
                            Read more...