DEBORAH LIV JOHNSON: Mahogany Whispers

Deborah Liv Johnson

Mahogany Whispers

© 1985 Mojave Sun Records (736626521826)

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"The essence of Johnson's folk style is intimacy...like Joni Mitchell's Blue or Stephen Bishop's Careless.. a sympathetic companion on those days when one becomes lost in thoughts about the people, places.."

tracks

1 Colored Leaves
2 Un Milagro
3 Windfall Scatters
4 Rocking Chair
5 Taxis to the Moon
6 Angel of the Ocean
7 Colors of O'Keeffe
8 Mahogany Whispers
9 Poetry by Blake
10 The Garden
11 Tree Song

notes

Mahogany Whispers is a must-have for fans of Deborah Liv Johnson. Her first full-length album, this CD was recorded in 1983, released on an independent label in 1985 and was added to Johnson's expansive catalog in 1997.

This intimate, folk-style collection includes the Spanish-flavored Un Milagro, Colors of O'Keeffe (a tribute to Georgia O'Keeffe) and Poetry by Blake, a light-hearted bluesy affair about lost love.

Deborah Liv Johnson was the third of five children, born to missionary parents in Tanzania, East Africa. Returning to the United States before her first birthday, Johnson was raised in the desert community of Ridgecrest, California. Her first love of music was drumming.

Johnson attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, known to have "the best college choir in the world." She did not, however, follow the straight and choral path. Instead, she lettered in track and developed a presence as a singer/songwriter with stints at the campus coffeehouse and downtown clubs.

Graduating with a degree in creative writing, Johnson moved to San Diego to continue her music career. Image-rich lyrics and well-crafted melodies became her trademark. Often flying solo, Johnson's performances showcase the eclectic nature of her songwriting, highlighting deft guitar work and vocals, as she moves easily between blues, ballads, folk, country and jazz standards.

Johnson has released eight CDs on her own Mojave Sun Records label: Mahogany Whispers, The Cowboys of Baja Have Stolen My Heart, Across the White Plains, Softly and Tenderly, A Mountain We Will Climb (a CD single written for breast cancer survivor Laura Evans), Away in a Manger (Christmas), Real Women, Real Beauty (another fundraiser for breast cancer in conjunction with TheRealWomenProject.com) and Johnson's newest release, The Good and Bad of It.

The Cowboys of Baja garnered Mark Gallo's choice for Best Local Album in San Diego and the following year, Colorado Public Radio listeners chose Johnson as Best New Artist. Even with the success of Across the White Plains, much to Johnson's surprise, Softly and Tenderly, a collection of sparsely produced hymns, is outselling all of her releases.

Over the years, Johnson has opened concerts for various name artists such as Dan Fogelberg, Don McLean, Spyro Gyra, Suzanne Vega, Arlo Guthrie, Nils Lofgren, John Stewart, Tom Chapin, Rita Coolidge and Janis Ian. She's toured across the country and sung the national anthem for Hillary Clinton.

reviews

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  • Mahogany Whispers
    author: Michael P. Nealy

    Deborah Liv Johnson's Mahogany Whispers is one of the best folk albums I own and now I have it on CD in additional to several of her other releases! It has been awhile but I remember the day when I first bought the vinyl album in the mid 80's and I sat back and listened to her words and musical artistry which spoke to me in ways that made my life and those in it mean so much more in ways hard to express in words! I felt blessed as I then had the wonderful honor to see her perform live and meet her personally after her concert in the park in Ft. Collins Colorado shortly after her first release and it was truly magical! Deborah Liv Johnson is a uniquely gifted and wonderfully artistic musician in every way that compares with no other as she is Deborah Liv Johnson!!! Thank you so much for you artistry! Michael

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