Michael Johnson

The Very Best of Michael Johnson: Bluer Than Blue, 1978-1995
$15.98
Michael Johnson is not and never was country singer as such, but it so happened that his normal style of music was not very different from that which was coming out of Nashville in the eighties. So it was that he had a string of country hits in the mid-eighties, culled from just two albums of his own plus one other track. These recordings account for ten of the seventeen tracks here.

Michael is actually a man of many talents, able to sing pop, folk or easy listening music, all of which originally seemed more likely outlets for his talents than country music. The liner notes to the album give an interesting description of his career development but suffice to say that his first significant success was with Bluer than blue, a top twenty American pop hit. To many Americans, this is the song he is best known for. The follow-up, Almost like being in love, made the American top forty. Michael achieved a second top twenty hit with This night won't last forever. Two minor hits (The very first time, You can call me blue) complete Michael's run in the American pop charts.

Finding himself without a recording contract, Michael eventually contacted Brent Maher, who had produced his early hits. Brent told Michael that he was now the producer for the Judds and that maybe country music was worth investigating. Brent was also producing an album for Sylvia (best known for Nobody) and decided that one song was ideal as a duet. So Michael duetted with Sylvia on I love you by heart, which became a top ten country hit. His two pop-country albums (Wings, That's that) followed, nine of their tracks being featured here including a duet with Juice Newton (It must be you).

Michael had two number one country hits (Give me wings, The moon is still over her shoulder) and three other top ten country hits (Crying shame, I will whisper your name, That's that). Another single, Gotta learn to live without you, just missed the country top ten. Nevertheless, my favorite among his songs is one of his least successful singles, Ponies, which was a top thirty country hit. This song is about wild horses and has since been covered by two famous horse-loving country singers, Lynn Anderson and Michael Martin Murphey. Michael's last country single, Roller coaster run, was only a minor hit.

Two songs recorded in the nineties (One honest tear, Almost free) complete an excellent collection.

This Night Won't Last Forever (2002 Digital Remaster)
$0.99

Then & Now
$9.98
Finding Michael's music is such a treat. Some of his CDs are difficult to find but well worth it!

Cracking The Boy's Club Code: The Woman's Guide to Being Heard and Valued in the Workplace
$16.95
This book has upset the apple cart in what I thought I knew about dealing with male executives. Three key takeaways:

1. It's really not personal - certain male behaviors particularly around other males in the business setting have perplexed me for years. Through this book I began to understand some origins of and purpose of these behaviors.
2. I CAN have greater impact in my business dealings with male executives by making a handful of changes in the delivery of my message.
3. Greater collaboration and innovation are the excellent by-products of male and female executives being able to more effectively strategize and communicate. The measure of impact will be seen on the top line with minimal financial investment.

This book provided very useful insight in male/female group dynamics. I can't wait to try out Mike's suggestions. However, the book did more than explain male behavior and offer tools for women executives. It convinced me to become an anthropologist during business interactions and take more time to study how people interact for the good of the organization.