The world of music, in particular our own very special part of that world, here in Manchester, was recently rocked and hugely saddened by the news that hugely acclaimed, simply stunning, vocalist, Denise Johnson, had passed away.
Best known for the two albums she recorded and toured with Primal scream in the 90s, Screamadelica and Give Out But Don’t Give Up, Denise’s work with other greats such as New Order, Johnny Marr, The Charlatans, Michael Hutchence, 808 State, Electronic, Bernard Butler, Ian Brown, The Waterboys and A Certain Ratio, certainly ensures a legacy that will keep her in the hearts of music lovers both in Manchester and indeed the world.
However, Denise leaves one further gift with the bittersweet news that her debut album, Where Does it Go will be posthumously released on Friday 2 October.
Featuring just Denise’s vocals accompanied by Manchester-based guitarist, Thomas ‘Twem’ Twemlow, the mostly acoustic album provides the perfect platform for listeners to experience once again her stunning voice.
With the exception of lead track, Steal Me Easy, co-written by Denise and former collaborator, French guitarist Fabian Lefrancois, the recording of the album is completely live and untouched by studio tricks or computer wizadry.
First meeting Denise in 2003 when she sang on a couple of his tracks, guitarist and, indeed, album producer Twem says,
Denise got back in touch a few years after we’d first worked together, asking if I’d play acoustic guitar for her. We set about doing our own version of her favourite songs from various Manchester acts. One of the first she asked me to play was True Faith: my first thought was ‘how the hell can I make an electronic track work on acoustic?’ But, to be honest, when you’ve got someone like Denise singing, you can make anything work.
Recorded in Ancoats at Hope Mill Recording Studios, one of the songs that Denise wanted to include on the album is her version of Ellie Greenwich’s Sunshine After the Rain, performed by Denise in her role as Mary, in the BBC’s incredible live staging of The Manchester Passion, back in 2006. Denise had cited this event as one of the highlights of her career, for the simple reason that she knew it had made her mother incredibly proud.
Tim Burgess will be featuring the album on Monday 5 October (9 pm UK time) on Tim’s Twitter Listening Party with producer Twem and you can find the full tracklisting below:
- True Faith (New Order)
- I’m Not In Love (10CC)
- Nothing You Can Do (Denise Johnson)
- Evangeline (Cherry Ghost)
- Sunshine After The Rain (Ellie Greenwich)
- Well I Wonder (The Smiths)
- Steal Me Easy(Denise Johnson / Fabien Lefrançois)
In addition, Denise also features on the new A Certain Ratio album, which comes out a week before her own, on Friday 25 September.
Out Friday 2 October, Where Does it Go.
Thank you Denise Johnson.
Physical formats: Limited vinyl & CD will only be available from Piccadilly Records: https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/counter/product.php?pid=134933
Radio track WAV: Steal Me Easy https://we.tl/t-yhQDDaBbWo
Digital/Streaming: on all platforms https://cdbaby.lnk.to/WhereDoesItGo
Tim’s Twitter Listening Party: Tim Burgess is featuring the album on Monday 5 October (9 pm UK time)
Tracklisting:
- True Faith (New Order)
- I’m Not In Love (10CC)
- Nothing You Can Do (Denise Johnson)
- Evangeline (Cherry Ghost)
- Sunshine After The Rain (Ellie Greenwich)
- Well I Wonder (The Smiths)
- Steal Me Easy (Denise Johnson / Fabien Lefrançois)
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