Parsonage Lane, a new CD from Victor Johnson, paints a portrait of the world as it could be. When you listen to its fourteen songs, you will feel connected with all that is good and beautiful. Strong, mesmerizing vocals, rich melodies, engaging lyrics will draw you into the place called Parsonage Lane. Johnson's diverse influences include Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Rush, and the Grateful Dead. Combining these and other influences, he has created a truly original, unique style that is all his own.Heavenly Eyes and Real World, anthems to feeling good and living life, start it off; Carolina is a tribute to James Taylor and the beauty of North Carolina; Master of the Ring captures the heart and essence of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings; but perhaps the most haunting song is the title track, Parsonage Lane.
After flying to Boston for a Joni Mitchell music festival over Labor Day weekend 2001, Johnson flew home from Boston to Atlanta on September 3rd, experiencing an unusually beautiful flight. One week later, on September 10th, he wrote Parsonage Lane, capturing the beauty and innocence that seemed to be lost the following day. While everybody else struggles to write songs inspired by September 11th, Johnson has produced a brilliant, shining gem that shows and reminds you why life is worth living.
Johnson lived in Asheville for a year, writing most of the songs on the CD during that time. He worked with award-winning songwriter, Chris Rosser, who produced Parsonage Lane. Several amazing musicians are featured, including world class percussionist and drummer, River Guerguerian, Grammy award-winning bassist, Eliot Wadopian, vocalist, Jen Hamel (Clandestine), and Chris Rosser on guitar, keyboard, and bass. Also featured are violinist, Joe Ebel, vocalist, Annie Lalley, sax/flutist, Stuart Reinhardt, and trumpeter, Greg McClain. Parsonage Lane is scheduled to be released on June 21, 2003.
Parsonage Lane is Johnson's second CD, the first that is professionally produced. Tangled, Johnson's first CD (which is still available), features the song Three Days in Paris, a song about being in love in France, "walking in sunflower fields" and climbing cathedrals only to find that "the bells wouldn't ring". It also features a lush ballad, Blue, and the rich harmony of Melancholy.
All in all, Tangled explores the depths of human love, showing how tangled up emotions can be, ranging from an ode to divine beauty, Aphrodite, to love that is utterly lost in All the Mornings of the World.
Johnson, a natural, intuitive musician, recorded and played all the instruments on this CD, including guitar, piano, bass, and sax. He captures the passion and artistry of each musical idea, as if each song was a fine painting.
You can find sound clips and lyrics from both CD's or place an order for either one, by following the appropriate links shown at the left.
Johnson is currently available for booking. Contact: