Robb Johnson

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See also: Bob Johnson, Rob Johnson, Bobby Johnson, and Robert Johnson
Robb Johnson performing in Faversham in November 2007.
Robb Johnson performing in Faversham in November 2007.

Robb Jenner Johnson (born London, 25 December 1955)[1] is a British musician and songwriter, best known for songs about leftwing politics, sharp analysis of society, and chansons. He has his own record label, Irregular Records,[2] and has released more than 25 albums either solo or in several collaborations. 2004 saw the publication of a biography of Yoko Ono that Johnson co-wrote.

Contents

[edit] Biography

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Johnson began his musical career playing in folk clubs before forming a band called Grubstreet,[1] which split up in 1983. Two years later he made his first solo album, setting up his own label on which to release it, before forming a new group, The Ministry of Humour, with Mark Shilcock and Graham Barnes.[2] He later returned to performing solo and also formed a duo with female singer Pip Collings.[1]

In 1997 he composed the song cycle "Gentle Men", based on his grandfathers' experiences on the First World War and recorded in collaboration with Roy Bailey.[3]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Johnson has to date released 28 full-length albums.[4] [5]

  • In Amongst The Rain (1985)[6]
  • Songs for the New Jerusalem (1987)
  • Skewed, Slewed, Stewed & Awkward (1987)
  • Small Town World (1989)
  • Overnight (1991) (Robb Johnson and Pip Collings)
  • Tourists and Casualties (1993) (The Johnson-Collings Band)
  • This Is the UK Talking (1994)
  • Heart's Desire (1994) (Robb Johnson and Pip Collings)
  • Lack of Jolly Ploughboy (1995) (Robb Johnson and Pip Collings)
  • Interesting Times (1995) (The Robb Johnson Band)
  • The Night Café (1995)
  • Overnight (1996, re-recording of the 1991 album of the same name)
  • Hell’s Kitchen (1996) (The Robb Johnson Roots Band)
  • Invisible People (1997)
  • Gentle Men (1997) (Roy Bailey, Vera Coomans, Robb Johnson, & Koen De Cauter & The Golden Serenaders)
  • Yeah Yeah Yeah: So Far So Good 1991-1998 (1998) (The Robb Johnson Band)
  • The Big Wheel (1999)
  • Margaret Thatcher: My Part in Her Downfall (2000)
  • 21st Century Blues (2001) (Robb Johnson, Miranda Sykes and Saskia Tomkins)
  • The Triumph of Hope Over Experience (2002)
  • Maximum Respect (2002)
  • Clockwork Music (2003)
  • Friday Night in Brentford (2003)
  • Tony Blair: My Part in His Downfall (2004)
  • A Beginner's Guide (2005)
  • Metro (2005)
  • Saturday Night at The Fire Station (2006) (Robb Johnson & The Irregulars)
  • All That Way For This (2007) (Robb Johnson & The Irregulars)

[edit] Singles and EPs

  • The Animals Song (1986)
  • The Herald of Free Enterprise (1988)
  • Wasted Years (1991)
  • Living in the Rubbish (1991) (Robb Johnson and Pip Collings)
  • Lavender Blues (1995)
  • Saturday Afternoon Red Army (1995)

[edit] Appearances on compilation albums

[edit] Personal life

Johnson married Meeta Kanabar on 22 August 1992.[1] The couple have two sons, Hari (born 1997) and Arvin (born 1998).[7] He is a vegan and has contributed to vegan causes.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Gregory, Andy (2002). The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002. Routledge, pp261–262. ISBN 1-8574-3161-8. 
  2. ^ a b Interview with FolkWorld.de
  3. ^ Broughton, Simon; Mark Ellingham, Richard Trillo (1999). World Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides, p29. ISBN 1-8582-8635-2. 
  4. ^ Official website
  5. ^ Official website
  6. ^ Interview in Folk on Tap magazine
  7. ^ Irregular Records
  8. ^ London Vegan Festival 2007

[edit] External links