Description
The Face of the Deep is the third album by the American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer Jeff Johnson, independently released on his own label Ark Records in 1980. Also released in Europe with distribution through Pila Music GmbH. The album was recorded from June 1979 – March 1980 by Jeff Johnson and Sandy Simpson at The Ark recording studio in Tigard, Oregon; with Johnson producing. Mixed by Johnson and Simpson at The Ark. All songs written by Jeff Johnson except track B1 written by Dave Meyer and track B2 co-written by Johnson and Meyer. (Special permission was granted by Franky Schaeffer/Franky Schaeffer V Productions to use the title and concept for “Whatever Happened To The Human Race?”) The Face of the Deep begins the Jeff Johnson series continued in Shadow Play, Icons, Fallen Splendor and Pilgrimage.
Featuring Jeff Johnson, Brian Brickley, Roger Hadley, Gerry Limpic of Limpic & Rayburn fame (appears courtesy of Myrrh Records), Pam Mark Hall (appears courtesy of Star Song Records), Dave and Jane Meyer, Jim Miller, Billy Oskay, Scott Parrish, and Sandy Simpson.
The Face of the Deep received the Campus Life Magazine 1981 Records of the Year Award of Excellence – Perhaps the year’s most creative composition, The Face of the Deep was conceived, produced and performed by Johnson himself. It was an audiophile work of singular excellence. Light rock with philosophical flavor. Chic. Arty.
When we look upon water we see only the surface and the surrounding scenery it reflects. Beneath lies the deep with all its mystery. One must break through to touch “the face of the deep.”
Jeff Johnson’s album does just this – it plunges into our depths as people. Sometimes caressing, often piercing, Jeff pulls away the veneer, bringing to light those things we all seek to hide.
The thrust of The Face Of The Deep is evident after one listen, but the one who digs into allusions suggested by the album will not be forsaken. There are treasures to be found.
If you listen to the introduction to «Happy Ending» with Giacomo Balla’s painting The Staircase of Goodbyes in mind; if you think of the movies of the 30s and 40s when listening to «Happy Ending»; if you recall Rodin’s sculpture masterpiece The Thinker; if you have read the classic novel All Hallows’ Eve by Charles Williams; if you have read or seen Francis Schaeffer’s Whatever Happened To The Human Race?, then you will not only hear the cry “Help Me,” but you will understand it. And there is no little difference between hearing and understanding.
The rest of The Face Of The Deep is equally revealing to the careful eye. For example, «The Moulin De La Galette» and «Gauguin’s Dreams/What Keeps Me Here?» can almost be considered a trilogy dedicated to impressionistic painters. There is a twist here, though. The “hero” of this trilogy takes a different road and therefore reaches a different conclusion.
This album is not one of total despair. There is hope, but that hope is tempered with an honesty limited by our humanness which is expressed vividly in «Even If I’m Not Sure».
Jeff Johnson’s task is to expose “those things we all seek to hide.” Our responsibility is to look, to hear, to respond – or to ignore. [Album Liner Notes by Stephen Griffith]
The Face Of The Deep is a more fully realized work than Jeff’s earlier projects, with lyrics that derive inspiration from such diverse sources as the impressionistic painters and Christian authors Francis Schaeffer and Charles Williams. The music takes huge artistic strides forward as well, revealing an overall greater consistency, depth and maturity. Keyboards (especially synthesizers) now take the center stage, making for some mild parallels to early Alan Parsons Project. Sound effects/collages, recorder, vocal effects, mood changes – all of these add a periodic air of mystery to the project and build on the progressive angle. Certainly no clichés in song titles like «All Hallow’s Eve», «What Ever Happened To The Human Race?», «The Moulin De La Galette», «Gaugin’s Drearn/What Keeps Me Here‘?», «A Walk In The Alps» and «Princess And The Jester». A few familiar names in the credits, including Gerry Limpic, Pam Mark Hall and future collaborator Sandy Simpson. Albums like this demand more active listening than I’m used to doing for these little quickie descriptions, so make sure you take time to dig into the lyrics. You won’t find a whole lot of “Jesus loves you” slogans in there, but for all you thinker types that desire to probe a little deeper beneath life’s surface, here’s your man. Johnson’s vision would continue in the ‘80s with such classics as Through The Door, Shadow Play, Icons and Fallen Splendor. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
Jeff Johnson’s meanings address issues other than solely the saving grace of Christ – questions of inner self and social and artistic commentary. Johnson looks at life compared to the movies, the condition of the human race, the vision of the Impressionist and the joy of human love. The album’s song arrangement records a movement from darkness to light, shallow despair to deep joy in the Lord.
Musically, the LP is orchestral featuring Johnson’s keyboards and synthesizers. Excellently packaged, the LP is the result of the graphic consciousness of those artists associated with Ark and Arkenstone Magazine. This is an album designed for people who love records, good music, poetry and very special things. (Best cuts: «The Thinker», «What Ever Happened to the Human Race?», «Help Me», «Now I’m Free») [CCM, September 1980]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-face-of-the-deep/64955944)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Happy Ending” – 4:17
A2. “The Thinker” – 2:49
A3. “All Hallows’ Eve” – 2:46
A4. “Whatever Happened To The Human Race?” – 6:24
A5. “Help Me” – 2:55
Side Two
B1. “The Moulin De La Galette” – 2:14
B2. “Gaugin’s Dream/What Keeps Me Here?” – 5:55
B3. “A Walk In The Alps” – 3:20
B4. “Princess And The Jester” – 3:06
B5. “Now I Am Free” – 3:48
B6. “Even If I’m Not Sure” – 4:57
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Ark Records. Later re-issued on CD. Available at Bandcamp: https://jeffjohnsonarkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-face-of-the-deep
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