Walt Johnson  - Warmth of the Sun

 

Walt Johnson played lead trumpet on movies like Starwars, Startrek, Ace Ventura, Rocky I-III, Close Encounters, Nacked Gun, Beverly Hill Cop III or Aladin. He also played or recorded with Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Lionel Ritchie, Joe Walsh, José Feliciano, Elvis Presley, David Benoit or Tower of Power. Walt has performed with Barbara Streisand, The Pointer Sisters, The Commodores, Wayne Newton, Johnny Mathis, Melissa Manchester, Lionel Hampton,Mel Torme,Vic Damone, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini. Great artists are often overshadowing the instrumentalist who is supporting the star as soloist or member of a band. Walt's first step into limelight was his debut album "Trumpet Scroll" His new album is called "Warmth of the Sun" (2006). A new opportunity to learn more about this fascinating trumpet player.

The album was produced by Walt Johnson and Ron Feuer. Ron also composed some of the tunes together with Walt. Ron is currently the musical director of the Fifth Dimension and also participated in many musicals. Both became road buddies while touring the world with "Elvis, The Concert". 

The album starts with From There To There. After a classical start initiated by Ron Feuer on keyboards Walt Johnson celebrates in a melodic way his trumpet mastership. Kudos for Ron Feuer's improvisation on keyboards.

L.A. is America's musical capitol city. It's also where Walt's roots are and this song was inspired by the sunshine and splendor of the Southern California scenery. E.O. aka "Nut Case"'s spoken words and Walt's muted trumpet are creating the fascinating atmosphere of the city while Ron's uptempo runs are breathtaking.

ASI was written in Hawaii and inspired by the beautiful Latin of Lourdes, Watt's wife. It's without no doubt the most dynamic piece on this impressing album.

Have You Ever..? is a tune with a certain similarity to Herb Alperts smooth variations. What I don't understand that the good quality of a recording is disturbed by a crackle sound in reminiscence at old vinyl records.

Walt Johnson describes Warmth of the Sun: "It's that feeling you get when the sun hits your back and warms your soul." This tune is moody and relaxing. Dino Johnson's guitar fits nicely in this sunny piece.

Dino Johnson is Walt's son. He engineerd and mixed the album and also co-wrote with Walt the next song Summer Breeze.

Herb Alpert is certainly one of the most successful trumpet players of pop history. Rise was his comeback in 1979. With a great respect for Herb Alpert's music Wal Johnson creates a modern version "that you can hum or whistle".

Perfect Night and Something Beautiful are further gems of Walt's treasury.

If you should miss Herb Alpert's music, listen to Walt's music. He is following Herb's footsteps and they are not too big for him.