demo
Hazel Eye & The Pad : demo (US,2011)***'
(soon on Murmur/Art Union -Japan only!-)
Hazel Eye is singer/songwriter Becca "HazelEye" Johnson who’s currently following a scholarship of the art and business of music, is also a photographer. The Pad is the project from Gene Bryan Johnson, Becca’s father who had his experience in the music business especially during the 80s, having recorded with David Garland, Tom Moulton, Motown arranger Paul Riser and the Black Rock Coalition, now standing a bit at a distance. Knowing how much studio production could override the creative process, Gene Bryan decided to try working in one harmony with his daughter, something that was successful and from which its results can be heard throughout the production process of their promising demo album.
It is also clear how for the songwriting and singing there are two contributions; most of the concept is Hazel Eye’s. We can hear the story of a girl departing a situation by train. The music was almost ideal to hear on a train, which I once did, because there are train sounds incorporated, in a surreal way it almost became a real event to me. The situation turns into something positive and hopeful quickly, the girl being ready for life, a new life, family being supportive and then discovering another down to the ground perspective and sensuality. The singer has a very soulful voice, young, honest and with soul pop abilities in her choice of melody, singing and when using lyrics as statements. The arrangements are subtle and soft, very produced with acoustic pickings, echoing sounds, keyboard textures, electric strums and such, always with a warm sound. Only one song by Gene Bryan is a bit different, with more drama-theatrical singing, gothic keyboards and piano.
(Gene Bryan also told me he’s the first cousin of the late singer/songwriter Claude Johnson. In 1959, as a member of The Genies, Claude co-wrote and sang a #71 pop hit called “Who’s That Knockin’”. In 1962, as a member of the duo Don & Juan, Claude wrote and sang What’s Your Name, a #7 pop hit called considered a classic of the doo wop era and bridge between 50s doo wop and 60s soul/r&b).
