Albums

Water Song is the second CD for recording artist Nancy Johnson, following her 2001 debut album Pretty Good Sign. In her new 2006 release Nancy achieves the same one-of-a-kind blend of folk, blues and Indigenous fusion, this time with a fuller, more polished mix.

Water Song was produced and engineered in Toronto by the talented Eugene Boyer. Eugene who hails from Batchewana First Nation is also responsible for the colourful arrangements and brilliant guitar work throughout the album. "Working with Eugene and his wife Lise turned out to be an excellent collaborative experience and taught me a lot as co-producer" says Nancy.

Water Song's creative, playful lyrics and rich vocals are framed by outstanding percussion, bass, acoustic riffs and Indigenous accents. A host of professional talent rounds out the project: Mark Kelso on drums and percussion, George Koller on bass, violinists Ann Lindsay and Rick Hyslop, Carlos del Junco on harmonica, Denis Keldie on keyboard, Wendy Solomon on cello, Anne Werbitsky on dobro, Sameday Ray Walsh and K.K. Walsh of Loco Zydeco on accordion and rub-board, Neil Paraffin and Yashushi on piano.

Indigenous contributions to the CD include tenor Hector Sturgeon from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation in a duet with Nancy ("Take You Gently"), Toronto-based Mayan flutist Ramsis Calderon and the vocal talents of Bonita Lawrence, Brenda MacIntyre, Meghan Meisters, Michele Perpaul and Rose Stella.

"This album reflects my life - it's about movement, growth and change while coming to terms with relationships and connections," says Nancy. "I've been performing some of these songs for over ten years and others are new. Some of them carry a deeper message and others are just for fun - but they're all about changing circumstances or shifting attitudes, like the power of the water. I hope this music moves people in a positive way."

For song lyrics and background information, go to Water Song - Lyrics

Singer/songwriter Nancy Johnson was encouraged to write her own music in the 1990s by guitar instructor Charles Amore of Toronto. Nancy, a working mother, found songwriting to be a creative outlet. After co-founding Aboriginal women's musical group Legacy (with friend Carmen Jones), Nancy began working on her first CD, Pretty Good Sign.

Pretty Good Sign (2001) was recorded at home on four-track technology and featured Nancy's vocal and instrumental talents on guitar, mandolin, hand drum and wind instruments. Pretty Good Sign, a solo effort was well received and earned her a nomination as Best Female Artist at the 2002 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.

Nancy donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Pretty Good Sign to community causes such as the Ipperwash Inquiry into the 1995 death of Dudley George; the Caldwell First Nation struggle for a permanent homeland; and the training costs of a young athlete from Wikwemikong First Nation, Katrina Pitawanakwat.

The ten tracks featured on Pretty Good Sign are folk and blues-based with elements of Indigenous chanting. Nancy wrote eight of the songs and co-wrote "Peacemaker" with her sister Marlene Finn (who also wrote "People of the Sunrise"). With original melodies and lyrics infused with humour and melancholy, Pretty Good Sign tells stories that reflect the reality of Indigenous life.

For song lyrics and background information, go to Pretty Good Sign - Lyrics