Description
Velvet Prince is a solo album by the American singer, songwriter, and blues guitarist Mike Johnson of The Exkursions fame, released on Freedom Light Records in 1973.
Another quality album from Johnson’s classic period that continues with the high standards set on Lord Doctor. Dynamics run the spectrum from the Dylan-esque rocker «On To L.A.» and the blistering hard rock of the title track to rural acoustic ballads like «Standin’ At The Station». Johnson’s barbed wit can be found in the finger-picked rag «Something’s Goin’ On», as well as the lazy hippie country stroller «Your Health Food Won’t Get You Into Heaven» (“yogurt ain’t got no savin’ power”). The opening «Dilemma» has a nice moody 12-string classic rock vibe. Jazz grooves come by way of «Would You Believe» (re-interpreted from the Exkursions album) and the closing instrumental cover of jazz organist Jimmy Smith’s «Mellow Mood». Mike plays acoustic and electric guitars while the friends provide organ, guitar, bass and drums. Go for the original Freedom Light release in the gatefold cover with lyrics and photos inside. The later Hartsong re-issue comes in a single-slip cover with a different photo, minus the essential track «Seemingly So» (it’s replaced with «Your Friends Keep Callin» from Lord Doctor). [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
Velvet Prince: Legends Remastered Vol 4, Born Twice Records CD-reissue
Mike Johnson was once an original member of the Mike Bloomfield Blues Band and then after his conversion became a pioneer of Jesus music. Having never visited the UK though, he wasn’t well known here. This 1973 effort is probably Mike’s greatest album and highlights the versatility of his songwriting from the groovy rock of the Dylanesque «On To L.A.» with its passionate rapid fire lyrics and fiery guitar work, to the satirical «Your Health Food Won’t Get You Into Heaven» which sounds like the sort of song Randy Stonehill might have written. Then there’s the country rag of the hilarious «Something’s Goin’ On» complete with kazoo and a closing instrumental cover of jazz organ giant Jimmy Smith’s «Mellow Mood». In these days of highly formatted and over polished Christian music, ‘Velvet Prince’ sounds positively adventurous. A strong message and music which is difficult to pigeonhole, this is a delight and although Johnson passed away last year, his refusal to be squeezed into a rigid formula makes this a highly enjoyable album 41 years on. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, February 2014]
For those interested in music with roots in the Jesus movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Mike Johnson’s ‘Velvet Prince’ and ‘The Artist/The Riddle‘ have been remastered and released by Retroactive Records.
I wish that contemporary Christian music (CCM), the industry that grew up around the music of the movement, had followed some of the highlights found here. CCM is by definition message-driven but has been lacking at times in the raw inventiveness of the early Jesus music. It has suffered from a narrow focus and being overproduced and homogenized. That pristine quality is one of the benefits of an old recording like the ‘Velvet Prince’.
It’s raw, a little ragged, but earnest in exhibiting a broad array of styles and subject matter. It also has an underlying sophistication that reflects Johnson’s background with heralded groups like the Mike Bloomfield Blues band, Electric Flag and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. One standout track where you can hear that influence is the Dylanesque blues-rock of «On to L. A.»
On the lighter side is «Your Health Food won’t Get You into Heaven». It’s not just the comical words; what makes this funny is an old-timey country style combined with most-important-song-in-the-world singing. I enjoy natural food as much as anyone, but I appreciate the hilarious reminder that “yogurt ain’t got no savin’ power.”
«Something’s Goin’ On» is a satirical “the end is coming” rag, complete with kazoo. For those who might remember him, it is reminiscent of Country Joe McDonald.
On the more somber side is the mournful «Standin’ at the Station», perfectly suited to the feeling of being abandoned. The sparse, gentle instrumentation make this hauntingly beautiful.
The title track is a hard-rocking allegory that closes with wild feedback. Johnson also employs this literary device effectively on ‘The Artist/The Riddle’. If allegory and humor are scarce and a lost art in music today, it is a shame since both are powerful tools. With all the heaviness in the world, the need for humor has never been greater. Allegory remains a creative way to convey meaning to those who might be turned-off by a more didactic approach.
«Would You Believe» is a signature song reworked here into light jazz from Johnson’s self-titled Exkursions recording. The Exkursions were an early group for Johnson. Their concerts featured mainstream music without any Christian witness until the end when they closed with one invitation-to-faith song, normally «Would You Believe». Johnson then shared his testimony, and Anglican minister John Guest preached. Johnson believes that this “low-key” approach was the secret to their success in ministry.
‘Velvet Prince’ follows in that legacy. The Christian witness on most songs is less overt. The appeal is in the careful craftsmanship. It might hold more interest for those whose first attraction is the music. Along with ‘The Artist/The Riddle’, this is an overlooked early document of an artist creatively expressing his Christian convictions. [Michael Dalton, The Phantom Tollbooth, 24 April 2012]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Dilemma” – 4:38
A2. “Something’s Goin’ On” – 1:49
A3. “Childhood Dreams” – 3:26
A4. “Your Health Food Won’t Get You Into Heaven” – 3:26
A5. “Standin’ at the Station” – 3:53
Side Two
B1. “Velvet Prince” – 3:51
B2. “Would You Believe” – 4:25
B3. “On to L.A.” – 3:18
B4. “Seemingly So” – 4:56
B5. “Mellow Mood” (Instrumental) – 3:05
Note: Remastered and re-issued on CD by Born Twice Records in 2012.
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