NEDRA JOHNSON: Nedra

Nedra Johnson

Nedra

© 2005 Nedra Johnson (618106727129)

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A mix of R&B, Funk, Rock and Gospel - openly lesbian and proudly womyn's music in which the personal is political and the erotic downright spiritual.

notes

Nedra Johnson in a singer/songwriter multi-instrumentalist born & living in New York City. Her unique style of guitar playing is unmistakably informed by her many years as a professional bassist and keeps her live solo acoustic performances more on an R&B tip then what one might expect of a "girl with a guitar."

Nedra's self-titled sophomore release is a joyful mix of R&B, funk, rock and gospel. Honest in integrity to the music as well as the lyrical content, each song is a testimony of her experience as a black openly lesbian woman in love, spirituality, community and or politics. From the first song "Ahha (It's A Good Thing)" on through to the Maxine Feldman tribute version of "Amazon," this is proudly womyn's music and a great example of how Nedra has grown as a writer, arranger, producer and musician. Featuring lush background vocals and danceable grooves, Nedra makes the personal political and the erotic downright spiritual.

Nedra has performed internationally at jazz, blues, pride & women's music festivals as a solo artist and a tuba player/vocalist with her father Howard Johnson & his group, Gravity. She surprised and impressed jazz audiences in Paris, Nime, Berlin, Vienna, Kassel, Macedonia, Muchen, Leverkusen, Los Angeles, New York & New Orleans when she put down her tuba and sang original songs with Gravity garnering such praises as from The Orange County Register, "A little thing [an original from the CD Testify ] called Working Hard for the Joneses had the crowd on its feet and whooping." As a soloist, she has performed in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Oakland, Cleveland, Madison, Chicago, New Caledonia and more!

Whether in front of an intimate audience such as at New York City's Rockwood Music Hall or a large festival audience of 7000 like Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, Nedra has the ability to perform with both a strength and a vulnerability that makes each listener feel like they are getting to know her on a personal level. Her thoughtful choice of words reflect not only who she is, but speak to the heart in a way that mirrors emotions many find difficult to express, allowing her a fan base diverse in ethnic, cultural and spiritual background.

SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE CD "NEDRA":

This CD is independently produced and released on Nedra's own label Big Mouth Girl records. It features Nedra's father, multi-instrumentalist & jazz legend Howard Johnson, her brother David Johnson and very fierce openly lesbian rap artist God-Des. Below are some recent reviews...

"Provocatively soulful... Like an acoustic incarnation of Big Mama Thorton and Ani DiFranco, in "Michfest Blues," Johnson sounds like a smiling maverick ready to push the envelope at any cost. Other songs combine funky baselines (think Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground") and a harmonizing synthesizer in the background leaving behind an early-'90s smooth jazz feel. Johnson has been known to perform the occasional Kurt Cobain cover. She bridges the feel of listening to old blues greats with cutting edge lyrics addressing social issues and what it's like to love the modern woman."
- Jana Katz, Daily Collegian

"If MeShell Ndegeocello is moving in a more jazz-oriented direction, then Johnson has the talent to pick up where she left off."
- Gregg Shapiro, Bay Area Reporter

"Nedra Johnson previewed songs from her forthcoming self-titled album on Big Mouth Girl Records. The good news is that her renditions on the disc capture the good-natured sexual and social spirit of her live performance and every song is a joy to behold."
- Gregg Shapiro, Chicago Free Press

"Nedra Johnson, blues and soul singer out of the Bronx has a red wine stained red velvet pillow for a voice. She’s set deep; with rough cuts sung well."
- Hanifah Walidah, Sucka For Life


Check www.nedrajohnson.com for details!

reviews

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  • Nedra
    author: Hafez Ward

    I loved Amazon...That's why I bought this and you did it wonderfully! Also loved Any Way you need Her. Wish you'd do more Maxine. Her work never made it to C.D. Thanks for this disc. Hafez

  • Nedra
    author: Hafez Ward

    I loved Amazon...That's why I bought this and you did it wonderfully! Also loved Any Way you need Her. Wish you'd do more Maxine. Her work never made it to C.D. Thanks for this disc. Hafez

  • fabulous
    author: Amy

    I listened to this CD online (www.nedrajohnson.com) for at least a month before I bought it. I liked it then, but somehow, I love it now that it's in MY CD player. The lyrics are funny, romantic, thoughtful, quizzical, and sure to grab the listener's attention. I love that her instrumentation includes the tuba and coronet. I have been recommending Nedra (the artist) to people I meet that enjoy good music. This CD confirms that I'm making good choices as far as which artists I choose to promote.

  • NEDRA JOHNSON: "Nedra" The best album of the season!
    author: Jed Ryan

    NEDRA JOHNSON: "Nedra" The best album of the season! "This is womyn's music, baby!" declares Nedra Johnson in the first song of her new CD "Nedra", and she repeats that declaration in "Shout Out" at the close of the CD when she thanks her fans and supporters. Born to musician parents, Nedra is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist born and living in New York City. Her live performances and debut album "Testify" received high praises from her peers in the independent music scene, as well as from reviewers in "The Advocate", "The Village Voice", "The New York Blade", "HX for Her", "Variety", "The Hollywood Reporter", and others. Nedra is a devoted and popular performer on the envied Womyn's Circuit ("It was womyn's music that made a place for me," she declares on "Ahha (It's A Good Thing)", the CD's first track.), including the annual Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. But the listener soon realizes that Nedra could steal the show anywhere she performs, and likely with any audience. "Nedra" is Ms. Johnson's second album. As her fans will testify, Nedra's persona and voice are big, bold, and dynamic, giving new meaning to the term "bringin' down da house". Yet "Nedra" the CD also explores a more tender, nurturing side to the artist. "Forever With Me" may as well be named "The Wedding Song": It's an elegant track with a feverish romanticism running underneath. The entire album packs a real wallop. It's not just Nedra's soulful, powerful voice that make "Nedra" stand out, although those may have seen her at an Open Mic know that her stripped-down guitar-and-vocals performances can stand on their own. Just as vital as her voice are her selection of musicians, her impeccable production values, and her lyrics that boldly and smartly explore feminism, sexuality, religion, tolerance, and her own life experiences. Her musicians (which include her father, Howard Johnson, on coronet, tuba, and horn arrangements) match her expertise and her energy level. Largely autobiographical, we don't have to wait long to hear Nedra's reflections on her own feelings about being "different"-- from childhood, right on through her spiritual awakening, and into her current music career. And of course, there's a good helping of love songs. But not just "silly love songs", as Paul McCartney would say. Nedra's not afraid to share with us her unabashed love songs to other women-- and they're lusty, sexual, sensual, and often nakedly candid (such as "New Boy Blues", "The World Could Stop Turning", and others). Her main style is blues-based R&B-- but Nedra's music also incorporates the essential raw earthiness and lyrical sincerity of folk music; and indeed, Nedra definitely embodies the strong, independent persona that's enjoyed by the women of rock 'n' roll as well. Nedra also incorporates rap and spoken word into her album, rapping on the infectiously catchy "So Good So Far" and featuring spoken word that reads like lesbian erotica in the risque "The World Could Stop Turning". There are other genre-defying moments as well. "Sprung" is a jazz-flavored homage to the spring season, and the impeccably produced "Bandit", with a dominance of trumpet, gives the listener the vision of Nedra as lounge singer in a smoky jazz club-- albeit a lounge singer who's not afraid to incorporate lesbian flavors into her music. But without a doubt, "Any Way You Need Her" is the highlight of the album: a high-spirited gospel at it's best, complete with "Hallelujahs". The song features renegade lyrics which dare to interpret Jesus in different personas-- including crunchy granola dyke and fierce gay man. In the hands of another artist who isn't as in touch with his or her spiritual side, such lyrics might seem patently written to shock the listener; but Nedra makes it clear that her intent is to remind us that God is how we interpret Him or Her, and it's time to take back those interpretations. This track features guest vocals by Nedra's brother, David Johnson. When Nedra and band performed "Anyway You Need Her" at her CD release party, one attendee in the audience, who was raised a Southern Baptist and spent seven years in reparative therapy for being gay, was clearly affected, as if you could hear him say to himself, "This is a song that finally speaks to ME!" "Michfest Blues" makes a snappy Southern-style ditty, with some delciously dirty double entendres ("Girl you know I hate your dog, but baby I love your cat!...") Thankfully, Nedra isn't usually that "wink-wink" cryptic, or else she just wouldn't be Nedra! "Scooter Phat" (with God-Des) praises the beauty of larger women. "Prozac (So Fun Living, Not a Moment Dull)", the third track, features an easy-going melody and breezy lyrics that hook the listener into an ideal world for four minutes. Nedra doesn't give us a clue as to whether she's really praising the virtue's of the happy pill of the title, or if the song is a parody of our nation's addiction to anti-depressants, but nevertheless, it's a charmer. Bonus tracks on "Nedra" include an alternate, tuba-infused version of "The World Could Stop Turning", and "Amazon", a song which starts out stark and poignant and increases in intensity and tempo as it progresses. The song was originally written and recorded by Maxine Feldman, a pioneer of queer music, in 1979. It's clearly a nod to one of Nedra's musical antecedents. But just one... for Nedra Johnson is truly a genre-buster, vision-wise and music-wise. I'm going to be so bold as to say that the self-titled "Nedra" is, hands-down, the finest album-- queer or otherwise-- to come out this season. Her impact is powerful whether she's on stage armed with just her guitar, or playing with her five-piece band. In "Nedra"'s opening track, "Ahha (It's A Good Thing)", Nedra declares, "All my life I've been a big mouth girl. Speak my mind, change the world. No hands but my hands, no voice but my voice; I'm gonna keep on telling the truth till I have no choice." The audience thanks her for that.

  • She is unapologetically queer and graciously thankful to the women’s music scene
    author: Kris Scott Marti - AfterEllen.com

    The self-titled new album by veteran festival performer Nedra Johnson opens up with a smooth, soulful sound that fans of Meshell Ndegeocello’s Peace Beyond Passion will immediately hook into. But Johnson uses the first person and is even more upfront about being out while singing about the folks that qualify as “a freak,” and feeling awkward wearing dresses as a child. She responds to criticism of singing about women with “I’m keeping it real.” She is unapologetically queer and graciously thankful to the women’s music scene. Nedra Johnson is my hero. Johnson comes from a musical household. After taking bass and tuba in high school band, she played with her father Howard Johnson in his band Gravity. She started performing at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival in the late 80s/early 90s, sharing the stage with other young performers like Toshi Reagon. She has been all over the world performing in jazz, blues, pride and women’s festival from Paris to New Caledonia in the South Pacific. Her fifteen-plus years of musical experience shine through on this polished, self released second album due out in early May. Witty and earnest, the songs on Nedra range from blues, jazz, and gospel to that hard-to-describe genre that is basically music to get it on to. It takes a lot of confidence and humor to pull off a tuba remix of a super-sexy song like track 5, “The World Could Stop Turning.” But Johnson does it with flair and doesn’t distract anything from the intent of the lyrics, which are basically about being really into that new woman. “Anyway You Need Her” is a sweet revival diddy about Jesus being whoever you need them to be. It’ll put a spring in your step and a smile on your face when Johnson describes Her as a crunchy granola lesbian. Track 10, “Sprung”, showcases her urban jazz style with New Orleans influence--think Harry Connick Jr. blended into Jill Scott. The simple, tender lyrics, “it’s spring and I’m sprung/ now baby don’t get me wrong/ I love you anyway,” are a love letter shared with the listener. Johnson derives inspiration from her political and spiritual beliefs, but what really shines on this album is the freshness, joy, and energy she is experiencing in her new relationship. As she put it, “I’m in love right now.” Without sounding cheesy or trite, Johnson may have created the most beautiful lesbian wedding song to date, “Forever With Me.” With just a lead guitar, simple percussion, and Nedra’s honeyed voice, this song is guaranteed become the matrimonial tearjerker for all the June brides. Appropriately enough, the track immediately preceding “Forever With Me” is about couples getting together and staying together. “Let Go” is as soothing as a lover running their fingers through your hair. Soft and low, the words in the chorus “It’s alright/let go and love me baby/have faith” capture the fluttering heart. Track 6, “Michfest Blues” is not the nouveau hybrid blues done by White Stripes or R.L. Burnside. It is that deep, suggestive, way-back style, like Gwen Avery, Big Mama Thornton, or Pink Anderson would pluck out while hanging out on a sunny day. “Michfest Blues” is very traditional song with the twist of being about hooking up at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival with that “girl that whooped that loving on me/ and I ain’t to proud to beg.” This song gives a nod to the real "old school" music, and it fits neatly with blues classics like “I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl” and “60 Minute Man.” “New Boy Blues” has a fantastic horn section arranged by Nedra’s father Howard Johnson that is complimented by Bruce Whitcomb’s rolling piano pacing. This song is marvelous because Johnson takes somewhat risqué lyrical content and successfully composes musical backing that suits the subtle tone without overwhelming the words or disappearing into the background. It’s mixed like a perfect martini, crisp and a little naughty. I love the upbeat, cheeky song “Prozac (So Fun Living, Not A Moment Dull).” Johnson’s slick ironic word play appears both optimistic and politically charged. The funky beat combined with naively cheerful mandolin strumming and whistling, that brings to mind Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” is clever, political and edgy without proclaiming an overt ‘message’. Nedra should be available in early May, and Johnson is taking pre-orders so fans can get it hot off the burner. This is a fantastic CD and is sure to sell out, so don’t delay in ordering your copy.

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