Description
More Than Just an Act is a solo album by the American singer and songwriter Mike Johnson of The Exkursions fame, released on NewPax Records in August 1977, distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Warren Peterson, Travis Turk, Ron Reynolds, and Ronnie Dean at Sound Stage Studios and Columbia Recording Studios “A” in Nashville, Tennessee; with Bob MacKenzie and Mike Johnson producing. Mixed by Peterson and Turk at Sound Stage Studios. Arp String arrangements by Shane Keister. All songs written by Mike Johnson except track A3 written by John Finley, Tom Walker, and Ginger Lang.
Featuring Mike Johnson on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, backed by a session band featuring Shane Keister on piano and synthesizers (Moog and Arp), Ron Oates on piano, Lee Garner on rhythm guitar, and Jack Williams on bass. Background vocals provided by Alan Moore.
MIKE JOHNSON – More Than An Act – New Pax NP 33043 – Producers: Bob MacKenzie & Mike Johnson – List: 6.98
On this album cover he’s wearing white tails; on the back, jeans, in between Mike Johnson’s music is as diverse as his attire. Side one kicks off in high gear with «More Than Just An Act» and downshifts to «I Have Not Forgotten». On side two Johnson delivers an incredible vocal performance («The Lord Is My Shepherd») and views the state of the Jesus movement in retrospect with «It’s Time We Returned». If the new wave of gospel music crests, Johnson will still be an important artist. It’s obvious he’s been keeping an ear to the ground and an eye on the heavens and now he’s got «More Than Just An Act» together. [Cash Box Gospel Reviews, CashBox, Vol. XXXIX – No. 50 / April 29, 1978]
Although not up to the prior standards of Lord Doctor or Velvet Prince, Mike’s final album still has much to its merit. In fact the title track and «Life Is More» are the most rocking things we’ve heard from the boy in a while, with «Listen» and «It’s Time We Returned» following close behind. If Jimmy Buffet were to do CCM, it might sound something like «Love Will Last». The enchanting minor-key ballad «The Lord Is My Shepherd (The Shepherd Is My Lord)» stands among Mike’s finest work, drifting along for six minutes with soft strings and some nice fuzz guitar flourishes. The synths and big production update his sound to a degree, while the Nashville trends of the NewPax label show their face a couple times, but overall More Than Just An Act is quite commendable. See also Matthews, Taylor & Johnson. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “More Than Just an Act” – 3:44
A2. “I Have Not Forgotten” – 4:25
A3. “Psalm 92 (It Is Good to Give Thanks to the Lord)” – 5:11
A4. “Life Is More” – 3:40
A5. “Once Again” – 4:39
Side Two
B1. “Love Will Last” – 3:55
B2. “Listen” – 4:42
B3. “Colder” – 5:00
B4. “It’s Time We Returned” – 4:01
B5. “The Lord Is My Shepherd (The Shepherd Is My Lord)” – 6:00
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape and 12-inch vinyl LP by NewPax Records.
A full-page advertisement for various new releases on Paragon and NewPax Records, including Mike Johnson’s More Than Just an Act, was featured in the November 11, 1978 issue of Record World.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.