JOHNSTON NEWS AND REVIEWS

Source - Vintage Guitar Magazine July/ 2000:

Randy Johnston has been around awhile and done fabulous work, but this may well be his best. It features everything about him that I like. His technique is incredible, he's as smart and technically brilliant as anyone, and he plays with the soul of a 100-year-old man.

This album is a tribute to Johnston's favorites, from Montgomery to Martino, Hendrix to Cedar Walton, and even Frank Sinatra. In doing that, Johnston displays his impressive skills in a number of settings...

In all, this is one of my favorite jazz guitar albums of the year. If you like traditional players, ala Wes, Benson, Burrell, Grant Green, and others, check this out. You won't be disappointed.

Source - 20 Century Guitar Magazine, July 2000,
The Jazz Box - by Jim Fisch:
"Homage" is Randy Johnston's most ambitious and satisfying effort to date. For this session, he surrounded himself with a stellar horn section to play the arrangements of Rich Shemaria. And, as the title implies, the disc pays homage to the diverse artists who have influenced him as a musician.

Shemaria is finely tuned into Randy's playing. His work is always supportive, while still leaving lots of space for Randy to soar. They chose "All or Nothing at All" - influenced by the classic Frank Sinatra/ Nelson Riddle recording as the opener.

Johnston's development of the melody pays particular notice to Frank's patented laid back vocalization, while the arranger - working with a decidedly smaller orchestra than Riddle - manages to capture every ounce of the original version's swinging energy Nat Reeve's bass playing is the kicker!

Source: - All-Media Guide April/ May 2000,
by Michael G. Nastros:

For his seventh recording, Johnston throws a mean change-up/ slider. Where previous efforts have seen him in organ combos or small ensembles and trios, here he is backed by a potent four piece horn combo plus rhythm section. The expansive nature of this instrumentation, with arrangements by Rich Shemaria, inspires the guitarist to great heights as he pays tribute to some of his heroes by playing some standards and writing some heady modern mainstream jazz with a blues tinge.


NEWS AND REVIEWS
New Release/ "Homage" (J Curve Records) *Source - Vintage Guitar Magazine July/ 2000:* Randy Johnston has been around awhile and done fabulous work, but this may well be his best. It features everything about him that I like. His technique is incredible, he's as smart and technically brilliant as anyone, and he plays with the soul of a 100-year-old man. This album is a tribute to Johnston's favorites, from Montgomery to Martino, Hendrix to Cedar Walton, and even Frank Sinatra. In doing that, Johnston displays his impressive skills in a number of settings... In all, this is one of my favorite jazz guitar albums of the year. If you like traditional players, ala Wes, Benson, Burrell, Grant Green, and others, check this out. You won't be disappointed. Source - 20 Century Guitar Magazine, July 2000, The Jazz Box - by Jim Fisch: "Homage" is Randy Johnston's most ambitious and satisfying effort to date. For this session, he surrounded himself with a stellar horn section to play the arrangements of Rich Shemaria. And, as the title implies, the disc pays homage to the diverse artists who have influenced him as a musician. Shemaria is finely tuned into Randy's playing. His work is always supportive, while still leaving lots of space for Randy to soar. They chose "All or Nothing at All" - influenced by the classic Frank Sinatra/ Nelson Riddle recording as the opener. Johnston's development of the melody pays particular notice to Frank's patented laid back vocalization, while the arranger - working with a decidedly smaller orchestra than Riddle - manages to capture every ounce of the original version's swinging energy Nat Reeve's bass playing is the kicker! Source: - All-Media Guide April/ May 2000, by Michael G. Nastros: For his seventh recording, Johnston throws a mean change-up/ slider. Where previous efforts have seen him in organ combos or small ensembles and trios, here he is backed by a potent four piece horn combo plus rhythm section. The expansive nature of this instrumentation, with arrangements by Rich Shemaria, inspires the guitarist to great heights as he pays tribute to some of his heroes by playing some standards and writing some heady modern mainstream jazz with a blues tinge.