Matthews, Taylor, and Johnson

Description

Matthews, Taylor, and Johnson is a collaborative side project by an American folk-rock trio comprised of Randy Matthews, Danny Taylor and Mike Johnson (three veteran singers/songwriters and important figures of the early Jesus Music era), released on NewPax Records in July 1976, distributed by Word. The album was recorded by Tom Semmes and Warren Peterson at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, Tennessee; with Bob MacKenzie and Randy Matthews producing. Mixed by Warren Peterson at Sound Stage Studios and by Ron Reynolds at Columbia Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. All songs written by Matthews, Taylor, and Johnson. Two of the songs, “Over There” and “Second Coming Sunset”, later appeared on Randy Matthews’ album Live in Australia.

Pioneers Randy Matthews, Danny Taylor, and Mike Johnson joined forces in the ‘70s for this fine collective one-shot. While some of the artists’ solo works from this era begin to lose my interest, the sum of the parts scores a winner here. Lots of others involved besides the three so it’s a full-band sound. Sax work peppers the boogie r&r of «Something In Common» and the slow funkified rock of «The Gambler». The guys get into it pretty heavy, hoopin’ and hollerin’ through «This And That» or hammin’ it up on «Second Coming Sunset». A couple nice ballads in here, too. Fine album all around. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Something In Common” – 3:46
A2. “Three Empty Vessels” – 3:24
A3. “The Gambler” – 5:13
A4. “Don’t Shake My Hand” – 3:27
A5. “The Light Song (Keep It Burning)” – 3:58

Side Two
B1. “This And That” – 3:37
B2. “I Praise You, I Thank You, I Love You” – 4:01
B3. “Second Coming Sunset” – 3:11
B4. “It’s Alright” – 3:25
B5. “Over There” – 4:13

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by NewPax Records.


Matthews, Taylor, and Johnson – Matthews, Taylor, and Johnson (NewPax Records 1976) LP Front and Back Cover Art

Matthews, Taylor, and Johnson - Matthews, Taylor, and Johnson (NewPax Records 1976) LP labels, Side2 and Side1


Issue 12 of Harmony Magazine (published in 1977) featured a cover story on Matthews, Taylor, and Johnson.



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