This long awaited follow-up to "Parsonage Lane" (2003) was recorded in Bend, Oregon at Soundsmith Studios. Nine of the fourteen songs were written in Bend over the course of a few months. The lead off track "The Road to Savannah" honors Atlanta musician/activist Frank Barham, who was tragically killed while traveling by wheelchair from Atlanta to Savannah. "Roses" is an ode to nature, the changing of the seasons, and features beautiful cello playing by Katherine Hilst. "Kingdoms" is about how all we really have is the present moment, and in a poignant way, honors the Boston Marathon bombing victims. "Shine on the Waters of My Soul" conveys the feeling of an old gospel hymn, just the piano and the achingly gorgeous pedal steel played by Mark Van Allen.
The title track, "Beautiful Things" tells a story of a worldly voyage, a world lost, and how we must carry on, and love will come to us all, when we remember how we are truly divine. "Rain Makes the Flowers Grow" honors a child who died at the Sandy Hook School and echoes the truth that love will always win. "Sailing to New Orleans" is a love song that takes place in one of the most beautiful, romantic places in the whole United States. "September Moonlight" is also a love song and a waltz, weaving together children's fairy tales while praying the stars shine on us as we twirl and seek to set things aright.
"Black Sun" seeks to shine light on the victims of the AME Emanuel Church shooting, and to show how truly beautiful they were. "Rainbow" was actually written in 1990 in Mexico, while on a bus ride to Uruapan from Guadalajara. "Nightingale" again features the beautiful cello of Katherine Hilst, a song inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's story of the same name. "Indigo Moon" with a hint of 70s prog rock, is an ode to the journey called life, circling around the sun, and questioning whether we are still the same. "Brown Owl" tells the story of a young owl, attempting to fly from his tree for the first time ever. And finally, "Willow Sky" is a love song written to the Grateful Dead, full of gratitude for 50 years of their beautiful songs that have filled the air.
Simply put, "Beautiful Things" is 1 hour and 10 minutes of stunningly beautiful music that you will want to hear again and again. It is music that the world so desperately needs - genuine, uplifting, healing, beautiful songs that show how beauty can even be found in the darkest places. Love always wins. Love always wins.
Beautiful Things is full of beautiful songs
This album and the musician who crafted it are both remarkable. Victor is a master of his vocal and instrumental crafts. Throughout the many moods on these songs, his voice is always soaring, yet he also adjusts to the rest of the music. All the instrumentation is amazing—so much so that I can't choose a single favorite track. Best of all, Victor writes memorable, unique songs—they are the opposite of generic. I look forward to the many other details I'm sure I'll notice on subsequent listens of this album. Highly recommended! - Stephanie Kohler
Beautiful Things.... Best album yet!!
I have known Victor Johnson and have been playing music with him for very close to 20 year. He is an amazing musician and has always been a joy to play with. This new album is his best work yet. The recording is excellent and Victor has grown as a songwriter and put out a stunning album. Sailing to New Orleans has always been a fave of mine and this version is so beautiful. My new faves from this record are Roses, and Road To Savannah. Looking forward to having this on heavy rotation for a while. Great work Victor! - Michael Paz
A superb balance!
The emotion displayed in "Beautiful Things" is wonderful and thought provoking. I enjoyed everything from the harmonization of the vocals to the soft cello accompaniment. A great record that I guarantee is bound to make a positive impact in the memories of those tragic - Matthew Crawmer