DOOR IN THE WATER was a “New Wave concept album” by “Singer at Large” Johnny J Blair. Given positive reviews in Canada, Europe, and the USA, this was his first full-length project after a string of singles, demos, EPs, and field recordings–including work with members of The Tubes and making a live recording of Nico (Velvet Underground).
Sounds of water and redolent choral themes run throughout the album, inspired by cornerstone “concept albums” such as PET SOUNDS (Beach Boys) and THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY (Genesis) and the PRESERVATION ACT series of The Kinks. Post-punk rock reverie flows next to visionary melodicism, urban satire, and bittersweet spirituality.
Blair recalls, “I started this album in San Francisco. Then, I got signed to my first record deal, but they didn’t like the California tracks–said they were too experimental and ratty. So they sent me to the uber-cool town of Knoxville, Tennessee to work at a large studio that The Jacksons used as a rehearsal space for their ‘Victory’ tour. I got to borrow Michael Jackson’s Yamaha DX7 keyboard (The Jacksons used seven DX7’s on stage!). The session players were blues and country guys. I played them records by Big Country and The Clash so they’d ‘get it,’ and they nailed the parts in less than three takes.
“The original vinyl LP had two flaws: The track assignment was forced on me by the record company (they rejected “Locusts” and “Rebellion Comes On”), and their mastering was hasty and deficient in the midrange where the vocals sit (back then I was fairly ignorant on that subject). As a result, people repeatedly complained they couldn’t hear my vocals. At last, these problems have been fixed! I now offer the songs in the order I originally intended, and Scott Francis (Mind’s Eye Music Studios) remastered it. The fidelity is vastly improved and the vocals are more prominent.
“As a bonus, I’ve added some of the pre-studio demos from 1984 plus several tracks (demo, live, and rehearsal) from 1986 with the band October (named after the U2 album), and an a cappella rockabilly-doo wop-gospel tribute to Dion & the Belmonts, “Everybody Needs Jesus Instead”–the track the record company preferred over “Rebellion Comes On.” I thought “ENJI” disrupted the flow of the album, but a lot of people thought it was catchy.”
Reviews:
BAM Magazine 10/85 (San Francisco): “…A surprisingly punchy and well-crafted effort…varied, very listenable…Blair proves himself an able melody writer and resourceful producer…combining pop simplicity and studio ingenuity…he knocks off several ear-grabbing, upbeat numbers…notably “One Planet—One Utopia—One Helmet”…a cheerfully, nasty-sounding stomper…” (Barry Alfonso)
Music & Art Magazine 2/89 (Rotterdam, Holland): “Let’s start with the cover. A nice picture of a door laying in the water. In or out? You decide…the music is rather experimental, with a lot of influences, from Dylan to Brian Wilson to The Kinks to Todd Rundgren…for all of us who want something different, a record to dive into.” (Wim Boluijt)
Rockbox Magazine 3/86 (Toronto): “Raised on heavy doses of Motown, British Invasion, and The Beach Boys…Blair’s first full-length album neatly fuses his spiritual concerns and rock’n’roll base…”Welcome to the Open Door” is inviting, with a gorgeous guitar and keyboard mélange at the fade; “Ya Gotta Care” is a noisy but effective rallying call; “Seven Long Years” is an update on Dylan’s “With God on Our Side” with raunch from The Clash “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” The clincher is the funny “One Planet—One Utopia—One Helmet,” evoking confusion (“Buying psychedelics at the coal mine”) with tough humor over ex-Johnny Winter And member Darryl Puett’s compact, furious guitar snatches.” (JJ Syrja)
Released: April 23, 1985
All songs written & produced by Johnny J Blair except “Ya Gotta Care” co-written with Jeff Lloyd, and “Spirit” written by Mike Scott. All original songs published by Singnorbertmusic, Inc. BMI 1984 and Word2Soul Music BMI 2005, except “Spirit.”
Tennessee studio musicians:
Johnny J Blair: bass, Simmons drums, drum programs, guitars, keyboards, percussion, vocals on all tracks
Darrell Puett: lead guitar
Billy Reynolds: drums
California studio musicians:
Cassie Blair: treated tambourine, vocals
Johnny J Blair: bass, drum programs, guitars, keyboards, percussion, vocals
Bridget Purifoy: vocals
Anna Yagashita Valdez: percussion, vocals
Victor Valverde: bass
Jonny Vee: drums, vocals
Live/rehearsal musicians:
Johnny J Blair: bass, guitars, vocals
Ron Davis: drums
Chris Haggerty: guitar, saxophone, vocals
Bridget Purifoy & Anna Yagashita Valdez: percussion, vocals
Victor Valverde: bass, harmonica, vocals
Engineered by JJB, Daryl Hunley, & Michael Paul. Produced by Johnny J Blair and Johnny J Blair & October.
Recorded at Big Mama’s, Knoxville TN, 12/84 and various project studios in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1983-84, except for “Locusts” recorded 1980. Live tracks from Uncle Charlie’s, Corte Madera CA 5/5/86. Rehearsal from The Farm, San Francisco CA, 3/86. Remastered by Scott Francis at Mind’s Eye Studios, Williamsport PA 2005.
Original photos by Cassie Blair. LP cover art by Francis Vieira Souza.
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