Dallas Johnson: Anything Can Happen (2006)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: June 25, 2006

Smooth jazz allows singer Dallas Johnson to celebrate the leisurely flow of melody that can transport us from reality to fantasy and beyond. Her program of originals on Anything Can Happen features keyboards, electric bass and drums in support of her mellow vocal portraits. Breathy, soft-spoken and laid-back, her voice paints pastel pictures that provide comfort and a relaxed ambience.

Based in Minneapolis, Johnson puts considerable thought into the lyrics for her songs, which she interprets with clarity. Pop, folk and R&B influences abound. She spreads each melody out evenly to wave in the afternoon breeze like freshly laundered sheets on the clothesline.

Keepin' a Move On, the album's high point, features children's voices in tandem with the singer's joyful and positive contribution. It's a delightful change from her usual pattern of smooth jazz. Similarly, "It Ain't Easy departs from the album's formula for a pleasant and convincing journey through Americana. These high points help to rescue the album from its slide toward oblivion. Most of the tracks, however, lay back so far that they fade into the scenery with little to remember.

Track Listing: Sunshine; O�Malley; Daydreamin�; We Can Do Better; Keepin� a Move On; I�m Happy Again; It Ain�t Easy; In Our Garden; I Will Remember; I Want Peace.

Personnel: Dallas Johnson: vocals, percussion; Cleveland Boney: piano, electric piano, organ, vocals, percussion; Chris Smith, Tony Axtel, bass; Wendell Henry, drums; Mike Scott, Sean Harkness, Soli Hughes, guitar; Dean Magraw, sitar, steel guitar; Dave Karr, tenor saxophone, karrophone, melodica; Brian Gallagher: baritone saxophone; Matt Darling, trombone; Toby Tobalyas Moore, Darryl Boudreaux, percussion; Devi Johnson Rasalli, J.D. Steele, Marley Johnson, Terrence �T-Bone� Friersen, Vivian Moore, vocals.

Record Label: Self Produced
Style: Vocal