Description
The Artist/The Riddle is a solo album by the American singer and songwriter Mike Johnson of The Exkursions fame, released on NewPax Records in 1976, distributed by both Word and the New Benson Company. The album was recorded by Warren Peterson and Ron Reynolds at Sound Stage Studio, Columbia Studios, and Pete Drake Studio in Nashville, Tennessee; and was produced by Bob MacKenzie with Randy Matthews co-producing. Mixed by Tommy Semmes at Sound Stage Studio. Strings and horns arranged and conducted by Buddy Skipper. All songs written by Mike Johnson.
The album was included among Harmony Magazine‘s Best Albums of 1976, a list featured in issue No. 11. (“Harmony picks Jesus Music’s best of ’76” – “Regardless of music style, “the best” were picked on the basis of their ability to communicate beyond the four walls of the church.”)
The Artist/The Riddle finds Mike in a light rock mood while inheriting the smoother production and broader arrangements that typically come with a big CCM label. Being more drawn to the hands-off natural quality of Mike’s early albums, I had difficulty dealing with the voluminous strings and horns heard throughout the record. Personally I think Mike’s quieter side is better represented on Gentle Spirit, but given that Harmony magazine acknowledged him as 1976’s Artist of the Year, there’s got to be something happening here. I will give him some style points for odd diversions into novelty ragtime («I Met A Man») and brass band («The Sound Of His Returning»). Also includes a nice acoustic remake of «Lord Doctor». Co-produced by Randy Matthews. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
The Artist/The Riddle: Legends Remastered Vol 5, Born Twice Records CD-reissue
Chicago’s Mike Johnson was undoubtedly a key pioneer in the development of Jesus music but one who never found a following in Blighty largely because he never visited the UK. Mike’s musical credentials are impeccable, being an original member of the Mike Bloomfield Blues Band and the now legendary bands Electric Flag and the Paul Butterfield Band before getting messed up on drugs and finding the Lord in the early days of the Jesus Movement. This 1976 album, originally released on Gary Paxton‘s NewPax label, is usually considered by Jesus music collectors Johnson’s finest and though not quite up there with Norman’s ‘Upon This Rock‘ or Stonehill’s ‘Welcome To Paradise‘ is still a gem. Born Twice/Retroactive are to be congratulated on giving it a handsome digipack remastered re-issue. «The Riddle» has a renaissance sound with flute and recorder interweaving with Mike’s nasal vocal. «Lord Doctor» is a penitent’s prayer which The Encyclopedia Of Contemporary Christian Music called “a Johnson classic” and beats the version featured on his earlier ‘Lord Doctor‘ and ‘The Last Battle‘ albums. «I Met A Man» is a warning against drug abuse set to a happy ragtime piano. «Little Boy» is a moving tribute to the task and joy of parenting though the violins are a bit lush for my taste. And while I’m on the negative, the corny «The Sound Of His Returning» with its massed chorus vocal and cod oompah rhythm is pretty unlistenable. But nearly everything else shows a gifted lyricist at his creative height. Harmony magazine, the only magazine writing about Jesus music when it was happening, selected Johnson as Artist Of The Year on the strength of this album and indeed ‘The Artist/The Riddle”s many great moments make it an enjoyable listen even 38 years on. [Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythms, April 2014]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-artist-the-riddle-legends-remastered-volume-five/514870803)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “The Artist” – 3:25
A2. “I Met A Man” – 2:07
A3. “The Riddle” – 4:51
A4. “Cool Living Water” – 3:00
A5. “Lord Doctor” – 3:30
Side Two
B1. “Little Boy” – 3:00
B2. “The Witness” – 3:08
B3. “The Sound Of His Returning” – 3:23
B4. “The Wedding” – 3:36
B5. “We Want You To Return” – 5:32
Note: “Little Boy” was released as a 7-inch vinyl single by NewPax Records in 1976 (b/w “Cool Living Water”, both were album tracks). Remastered and re-issued on CD by Born Twice Records in 2012.
CREDITS. Produced by Bob MacKenzie. Co-produced by Randy Matthews. Recorded by Warren Peterson and Ronn Reynolds in Nashville, Tennessee, at Sound Stage Studio, Columbia A, and at Pete Drake Studio. Remixed by Tommy Semmes at Sound Stage Studio. Mastered at Masterfonics. Pressed by GRT. Strings were recorded by the Pinebrook Strings at Pinebrook Studio, Alexandria, Indiana. Strings and Horns Arranged and Conducted by Buddy Skipper. All songs written by Mike Johnson. Art Direction, Cover Design and Artwork by Stephen Smith.
Musicians: Mike Johnson (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar on track A5, Lead Guitar on track A4), Buddy Skipper (Keyboards), Ron Oates (Keyboards), Kim Rose (Moog Synthesizer), Reggie Young (Guitar), Steve Gibson (Guitar), Jack Williams (Bass), Steve Schaffer (Bass), Kenny Malone (Drums). Backing Vocals by Mike Johnson and Randy Matthews. Strings by Pinebrook Strings. Horns: Billy Puett, Don Sheffield, George Tidwell, Norman Ray, Ralph Childs, Roger Bissell.
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