'I have to admit that words like “beautiful” and “soothing” don’t immediately come to mind when someone brings up the subject of clawhammer banjo playing. However, Mark Johnson makes all of those words applicable with a style that takes the subject to a new level. This is especially true on Marks original tunes, “Mosby’s Rangers”, “Heartbroken”, “Mother Banjo” as well as Vince Gill’s “Hey God”. Simply put, he is a master of the art and deserving of that recognition. Together with Emory Lester, who plays every other instrument heard on the CD with skill and beauty, these guys make for an unbeatable combination.
'
|
'In the world of claw-hammer banjo some people are pluckers and some people are players. Mark Johnson is definitely a “PLAYER” and the playing is top notch on this recording. Wonderful Musicianship and style!
'
|
'The first time I heard Mark’s playing, I said to myself “yep, absolutely!!” He has brought to the world of bluegrass a gentle reminder of where this all came from. Mark is truly musical. His phrasing and timing are impeccable and lets not forget the TONE we keep hearing about. This latest CD is more of the Mark Johnson style I’ve come to too love. If you don’t like this CD than pass it on, ‘cause I guarantee you, somebody out there will love it as much as I do.
'
HERB PEDERSEN, Desert Rose Band, The Old and in the Way Band and The Laurel Canyon Ramblers Band, June 97
|
'I recently received a letter from a guy who attended a banjo class I taught twenty tears ago. In his letter he mentioned that although he dropped out a wee before the class ended, he remained firmly bitten by the banjo bug ever since.
The most recent result being his enclosed tape which I listened to immediately.
I long since put my banjo on the back burner, but it was clear that my former student had done just the opposite. His tape not only contained great clawhammer banjo playing, but also his wonderful original tunes and arrangements, plus a host of great accompanists.
The banjo player is Mark Johnson and if you like good banjo music, you are sure to enjoy this recording as much as I do'
|
'There is only one person out there playing this style with this kind of groove and expertise, and that is Mark Johnson. His CDs generally stay on my CD player for repeated listening.
'
JOHN CARLINI – New York, NY
|
'Mark Johnson is an Extraordinary talent and his music is authentic. The sound speaks for itself.
'
|
'Jim & Jesse, Flatt & Scruggs, Sonny & Bobby Osborne. Let us now add to the list, Johnson & Lester! Mark Johnson has created a completely new banjo art form called “Clawgrass." Emory Lester, a master mandolin player and multi-instrumentalist, is a perfect, equal, counterpart and together they are absolutely bleeding with talent. We can assure you that you have never heard a duet like this before!
'
|
'Acoustic Campaign!! Mark Johnson & Emory Lester, WE LOVE THIS CD!! Mark Johnson is about the best banjo player around. His left hand is solid bluegrass and his right hand is solid clawhammer, but that is not what makes his playing special. He’s got incredible technique, but even that doesn’t make his playing stand out. What makes his playing notable is that he plays from the heart. Mark knows what he wants to say in a tune, and he has the technique and touch to convey this to the listener. Master musician and multi-instrumentalist, Emory Lester makes up the other half of this team and together they are defining this new sound.
'
|
'Every now and than a killer banjo player that nobody has ever heard of comes wandering out of the woods and blows your socks off. Mark Johnson is his name and your going to hear a lot more of him in the months and years to come. Mark’s CD is called “CLAWGRASS” and it is absolutely a knockout! Every player should have one.
'
BANJO NEWSLETTER COVER STORY & REVIEW, July
|
'This is the CD for those who like their bluegrass played in a true, clear acoustic style. Mark Johnson masterfully takes the clawhammer banjo to new levels while his partner, Emory Lester, plays all the other instruments and vocals on these tunes.. WHAT A COMBINATION! – creating lovely, true sounds of bluegrass. '
|
'Mark Johnson & Emory Lester are wonderful innovators as individual artists; as a duo their combined creativity is tremendous! Acoustic Campaign is a rich and mature recording; HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
'
|
'If you can somehow imagine claw-hammer banjo played with the complexity and precision necessary to make a proper blend with the caliber of players with whom Mark Johnson associates here, then you just may be sufficiently impressed enough to include a copy of this CD in your collection.'
BLUEGRASS NOW MAGAZINE, July/Aug 1995
|
'Mention the names Scruggs, Reno, Uncle Dave Macon, Grampa Jones, or Ralph Stanley, and distinctly different banjo styles come to mind. Imagine for one minute the back-up playing of Sonny Osborne, the drive of J.D. Crowe or Terry Baucom, the melodic genius of Bill Keith or Alan Munde, the tastefulness of Bill Emerson or Tony Trishka and a specific, identifiable sound will again be suggested in each case. On the banjo, one name certain to be remembered is Mark Johnson and his “Clawgrass” -- a hybrid of clawhammer technique with a lead style and drive of modern, Tony Rice-influenced bluegrass.
'
BLUEGRASS NOW MAGAZINE, May/June '96
|
'On this CD “Clawgrass”, Mark Johnson with the Rice Brothers and Friends, we hear almost a missing link between Bluegrass and old time mountain music. This CD will fit into the collection of almost any bluegrass fan, whether their tastes run to the hot and progressive branch of the music or the more traditional side.
'
BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED MAGAZINE, March 1995
|
'WOW! That pretty much says it all. I just received the new Mark Johnson and Clawgrass CD album and it sounds GREAT! The vocals and instrumentation on each of the respective cuts are a pleasant blend of all that is good in Bluegrass today. I just keep playing this CD over and over and over again. There is a lot of energy in this album from start to finish. It’s definitely a keeper!
'
Bob Cherry, CYBERGRASS INTERNET MAGAZINE, July 97
|
'Mark Johnson is a solid banjo player backed by fluid fiddle, mandolin, guitar bass and great vocals. Johnson’s claw-hammer style perfectly fits the traditional songs as well as the four beautiful original cuts on this follow-up project to his debut CD with The Rice Brothers, “Clawgrass”. A must for contemporary, claw-hammer banjo players and for any fan of bluegrass music.
'
DIRTY LINEN, THE MAGAZINE of FOLK and WORLD MUSIC, Issue #73, Dec./Jan. 97’/98’
|
'Mark Johnson’s “Bridging the Gap” CD “is one of my twelve favorite CDs for the year 1997”
'
Don Nitchie- BANJO NEWSLETTER, Jan 98
|
'Mark Johnson’s Banjo playing on his new CD “Bridging the Gap” generates listener interest by it’s subtle beauty- a beauty stemming from note selection that will have listeners effortlessly humming along with each tune before they even know it.
'
Eddie Collins, BLUEGRASS NOW MAGAZINE, Nov 97
|
'Mark Johnson plays his banjo’s with a unique mixture of claw-hammer style and three-finger style that is neither old-timey nor bluegrass…and it sounds GREAT!
'
FLATPICKING GUITAR MAGAZINE, JAN/FEB 1998
|
'Mark Johnson describes his “Clawgrass” style of playing the banjo as “a mixture of bluegrass, folk, old time, and progressive acoustic claw-hammer.” Whatever the name, this project is one that will shatter and expand any preconceived notions the listener has ever had about claw-hammer banjo. On 12 uniquely arranged and well produced original and traditional cuts, Mark is joined by Tony & Wyatt Rice/guitars, Larry Rice/mandolin, Jason Thomas & Tammy Murray/fiddles, Ronnie Rice/bass and James Tucker/dobro.
'
INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER Jan/Feb., 1995
|
'Mark Johnson has advanced the five-string banjo into uncharted territory by incorporating complex runs and melodies that many of his contemporaries would have difficulty even keeping up with. Call it bluegrass or call it “CLAWGRASS”, I call it GREAT MUSIC! “Bridging the Gap” is a momentous musical happening that clearly establishes Mark Johnson as a musical force to be reckoned with. Highly recommended!
'
Les McIntyre - BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED MAGAZINE, Jan 98
|
'What a killer new project this is! Mark Johnson’s banjo playing is full of grace and stateliness and together with master musician, Emory Lester, they play some of the prettiest melodies on record. There is a real sprightliness and elegance to this entire CD. Plus, Mark and Emory breathe new life into some old standards by just changing the melody a bit here and there. “Acoustic Campaign” is a terrific walk on the melodic side of bluegrass filled with gorgeous picking, some stellar vocals … and a whole slew of musical surprises.
'
DAVE HIGGS, Bluegrass Breakdown, Syndicated Radio Program
|
'Mark Johnson and Emory Lester are two severely talented guys … no matter how much you practice your instruments, you’ll NEVER be that good!! If you haven’t heard, or don’t own, a copy of the new disc by Mark Johnson & Emory Lester called “Acoustic Campaign” ….. you are missing out. Radio DJ’s out there, make sure you give this one airplay!!'
KIM GLUCKLER, Music Director, WFDU, 89.1 FM, Teaneck NJ
|