Michael Johnathon

The job of a folksinger is to do more than just to write new songs into the canon of music, but to bring forward songs of the past to a new audience, performing as if they wrote the song themselves.

However, it’s an artistically dangerous, edge of disaster journey to cover a song, especially when it is someone’s hit. The song is so embedded in the consciousness of the public, so loved and revered you have only two choices.

Clone the original, or completely reimagine the piece. So, I decided to treat each song as if I wrote it. The hammer dulcimer in "Cats In The Cradle" adds an Appalachian texture to the song. A total rebuild of "Satisfaction" gives the famous rock song a songwriter feel. Cracking the famous snare in Rolling Stone adds power to each chorus.

Performing "If You Could Read My Mind" solo allows the deeply personal meaning behind Gordon Lightfoot’s poetry to become tender. It was also the most nerve wrecking of all these recording sessions.

Merging 2 of Pete Seeger’s finest songs is a tribute to my mentor. Even the screaming performance of Nazareth on "Love Hurts" is changed and presented as a gentle composition, much like Boudleaux Bryant intended when he wrote it in 1960.

"Vincent", the hardest, as Don McLean’s guitar parts are unchangeable, absolutely a masterpiece.

I’ve written over 300 songs of my own, released 21 albums and lived every note, every lyric, but these songs are written by artists I deeply admire. They are like chapters, snapshots of time, experienced and lived through the years. They are companions, brutal enemies and loyal friends.

Finally, I included my own song "Legacy" as a tribute to all the songs, all the albums, all the artists I respect, admire and love. And yes, I’m making fun of those ding dang TV commercials.

~ Michael Johnathon