Artist:     Michael Johnathon

Album:     The Painter

Label:     PoetMan Records

Release Date:     3.15.2021

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A true artist, Michael Johnathon is always creating unique projects to present to his fans. The Painter is a perfect example of this; Johnathon recorded the album after completing 43 oil paintings in his home’s art studio after the pandemic reared its ugly head.

The album is a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh, who influenced Johnathon’s interest in art. But as usual with Johnathon, it is more. When the pandemic descended, he explains, “All touring stopped. The business of music stopped. But art is born of isolation, so during this isolated, quiet time, an artist supposedly should do their best work …To me, The Painter is a song cycle about the idea of the blank canvas of life being filled with all the colors of life.”

Indeed, the folksinger presents an album of songs that will be familiar to the listener, such as Don McLean’s classic “Vincent (Starry Starry Night),” Bob Dylan’s statement of undying love in “To Make You Feel My Love” and Harry Chapin’s haunting “Cats In The Cradle.” He continues the mood of the album with his original lyrics on the remainder of the tunes, including “Vincent in the Rain,” a story of creativity, whether it be song or a painting; “The Statement” which features the beautiful work of Sharon Ohler on flute as Johnathon pleads for more love in the world; “The Painter,” which has a very familiar melody; and “Blues Tonight,” featuring the art of the musician’s finger picking.

Production includes a variety of instruments, among them accordion, hammer dulcimer, flute, piano, guitar, banjo and harmonica, all used specifically to weave together the emotions of and tell the story of each song.

—Vernell Hackett