Ben Johnson
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About
Progressive piano rock with a rough edge.
Some of the best human stories are the hardest to tell – those stories that are acted out inside a person, instead of obviously out in the world.
But the facts of Ben Johnson’s life more than hint at the presence of just such a story. For without some kind of internal movement, how does a self-described “nerd” kid move from wanting to be liked for something other than his musical talent to pursuing a career as a performing singer and songwriter? How does he get from the shelter of his southwestern Missouri farm family to facing down life as a working musician in the Windy City?
The answers to these questions and some you wouldn’t dare to ask can be found in his work, which is at once searching, intimate and subtly powerful. He is already well on his way to meeting his own standard of being “lyrically direct and musically adventurous.” In a review of a performance at the Burning Question Coffeehouse, Tribune journalist George Rawlinson described Ben’s performance as “lightning in a bottle”.
Of the newcomers to the scene, there are always some good writers who may become good performers, some good performers whose material might mature. Once in a great while, along comes a “beginner” who is already nothing short of excellent on every front, and Ben Johnson is that musician. He is classically trained and has substantial experience in theatrical music direction. He was most recently the vocal coach for the touring production of The Lion King. Forever Plaid at the Royal George and God and Country at Victory Gardens are just a few of his many Chicago-area theater credits. He also appears on Wild Ride by Sarah B & The Gist.
Perhaps if Chopin and Tori Amos had a child, and allowed Elton John to raise him, he would play the piano like Ben Johnson. But that wouldn’t explain his voice, which somehow manages to be both flawlessly controlled and emotionally raw at the same time.
"Sometimes I feel like nobody's listening to me until I sing a song. Inside the song I can freely speak my mind, work out the puzzle, ask for help or give it, break down or stand up. “
Discography
WAIT 2005 (Steel Dog Productions)Higher Than the Rock 
TBA 2007
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Similar artists
Scott Walker, Fiona Apple, Joseph Arthur, My Brightest Diamond, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey
Reviews
PastandPresent.com: Ben Johnson is a classically trained piano-player, but on this six-track EP there's really not much classical music to wet your appetite about. Instead there's a whole lot American-sounding singer/songwriter stuff, but instead of having the guitar being the driving force, as in most singer/songwriter cases these days, Ben Johnson naturally lets his piano-playing be the main thing alongside his vocals, which turns out to be this CD's saving grace actually. This guy has got talent - no doubt about that.
IndieMusicStop: Ben’s voice comes shining through and saves the day allowing the listener to focus in on what becomes some very unique song writing. ...very well written and arranged songs.
Collected Sounds: Ben Johnson is a young man blessed with a strong voice and some powerful songs. Raw and bruised opener "Most of All" sets us off to a fine start. "Higher than the Rock" becomes a male answer to Tori Amos sound. Johnson plays the piano with skill and precision. "Not Enough" winds a simple melody against a sad lyric as the song becomes a strong moment.
External Links
Categories: Stub | Alternative | Rock | Pop
