Customer Reviews

Then & Now

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you can get past the fact that these are not the original hit versions, you will find that this is a nice, mellow CD to listen to - just like I'd imagine going to see Michael live would be. The sound quality and the performance are both wonderful, with a "Mountain Stage" feel. The reworking of "Whenever I Call You Friend," with Alison Krauss from Union Station, is a revelation - I fell in love with the song all over again. If you find this one at a bargain price, which isn't hard to do, definitely give it a chance.

I enjoy Michael Johnson's music. I have seen him perform live and always anticipate his music on the radio. I ordered "Then and Now" through Amazon because his music is so diffcult to find in any music store. Two songs on the CD,"This Night Won't Last Forever" and "Bluer Than Blue" are not the versions I have ever heard on the radio. They are more vocal than musical and left me disappointed with my purchase.

If you are looking to hear the original versions of Michael Johnson's "Bluer Than Blue" and "This Night Won't Last Forever" this is not the disc to buy. Then & Now contains newer versions of his greatest hits. If you will, this is more of an acoustic version of his original hits that will leave you disappointed.

Michael Johnson has once again proven his tremendous talent. This long time listener is glad that Mr. Johnson has abandoned his country calling and is concentrating once again on his lyrical folk songs. Looking forward to Christmas '99 in Minnesota!

I usually don't buy "greatest hits" recordings because either they are not the songs I thought were the greatest or I already had the songs on other CD's. But Mr. Johnson decides to go back into the studio and record new versions of some of his hits. With the delivery of his somewhat scratchy voice to the beautiful way he delivers a melody, this CD is like going to a live performance and having the artist perform all of the hits you love. Nine of these ten offerings are excellent! Whether it's the wonderful stories in the songs, or the way he turns the beat around in "That's That", or just the totally different approach he uses for "Whenever I Call You Friend", Michael Johnson has just proven you can teach an old song new tricks.

I was also very disappointed with this CD. I felt that the songs were drawn out and sleepy. I was hoping for the original sound of "THEN" and didn't care for the "NOW". This one will rarely come out of my CD rack. Note: Do not operate heavy machinery while listening to this CD.

Michael's songs are the melodies that you hum while driving to work and wonder where did that come from. Once again he has updated the old familar tunes to delight listeners once again. The songs are a lighter shade of the original cuts and should please the most avid fan and introduce new fans to this modern trobadour.

I loved all of these songs when they originally came out. This "unplugged" version is nice as well.. but I think I was expecting more from this. Michael is so talented and has a great voice. I just recently saw him in concert and it made me miss listening to his music!

Michael Johnson is a musical master poet who puts feelings into his songs. This CD covers old and new, but presents it with a twist. The song 'Bluer and Blue' is actually better than the original whereby more feeling is given and felt listening to the song. You'll enjoy this Minstral also sing 'This night won't last forever' with much of the same feeling...truer than true!

My husband and I have always loved Michael Johnson's music. We found out he was classically trained to play the guitar in Barcelona and that explains the quality of his music, which along with his warm voice, make his CDs our favorites. We listen to him over & over and always enjoy his music just as much as we did the first time. Amy Arnaz