Superb career overview from uber-talented musician harking back.
The environment one grows up in has to influence a musician’s career, and how lucky was Tam Johnstone (aka The General Store) in his formative years. His father is Davey Johnstone, one of the most important members of Elton John’s band (making his debut on ‘Honky Chateau’). His first job was at George Martin’s AIR Studios, making tea for Pete Townshend amongst other things, and at 17 he was making music and supporting A-ha. There’s a great clip of him on the internet pounding the drums in one of his bands, Jaguar, on TFI Friday.
In 2000, he moved to Brighton and formed his band, The Great Indoors, and two albums were released: “Local Honey” and “Mountain Rescue”. He’s been making music ever since, in a range of bands, many when he was based in America. The death of a long-term friend and music colleague, Dave Morrison, recently motivated Johnstone to look back at The General Store’s back catalogue and record some new material.
What a brilliant idea, as we now have the chance of getting acquainted, or possibly re-acquainted, with his magnificent West Coast, pop-influenced, harmony-laden music, and it’s a treat to do so.
This collection of ten tracks cover a range of styles and sounds, but they are all heavily influenced by Johnstone’s passion for The Eagles, World Party, The Byrds, and all things West Coast pop. Add to this seriously strong songwriting and his honey vocals, and we’re in for a richly rewarding listen.
We open with ‘Airport Breakfast‘ and an aeroplane taking off sound effect, before instantly being immersed with a sixties Beatles-esque riff and a simply glorious tune and some really infectious ‘do, do do’s. Catchy as hell and a wonderful way to open the album. It was originally on the 2002 “Local Honey” album. Next up is a more laid-back but superb song, ‘Pretty Eyes‘, with another instantly hummable acoustic tune and a hazy, dream-like feel – perfect for Johnstone’s lovely voice. Hints of Colin Blunstone to the ears. This again was originally on “Local Honey”.
‘Over Here’ has a jangly Byrdsian guitar riff before another catchy tune is revealed, augmented by some lovely backup vocals from Casey Martin. Many of the tracks just feature Johnstone, but occasionally he’s aided by Pete Cuthbert, Julian Taylor and Nick Zala.
The beautiful ‘Sailing Away’ is the aforementioned recent tribute to Johnstone’s dear friend Dave Morrison, a really important part of the inception and sound of The Great Indoors music and a time when the two of them and a lovely cat in a small Brighton flat made this lovely music. As Johnstone says, “’Sailing Away‘ looks back on that time fondly and remembers an incredibly kind, caring and supportive friend who left way too soon.”
There’s a nod to his father’s musical companion on ‘Makes No Difference’ and the whole song and a great guitar riff sound as though it could have been an out-take from ‘Captain Fantastic…” The album closer ‘Long Road’ is a slow, moody tune with acoustic guitar strumming and bold drum beats and is a moving, witty and effective love song.
This album is a real eye-opener. Johnstone and his music had passed me by over the years, and it’s a joy and honour to be introduced to his music – there’s something for everybody here, and this album is seriously worth checking out. Bravo.
