Paul Johnson is a British gospel and soul singer who released two albums and a series of singles from 1987 through 1990 on CBS Records.[1] He was formerly a member of Paradise before going solo, and later recorded with Mica Paris.[2]

Paul Johnson had been recruited to Paradise when the London Gospel funk group was on a tour of the North of England. At the time Johnson was singing as a member of a Seventh-day Adventist choir, and noted for his high falsetto "in a style not dissimilar to Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey". He was recruited to share lead vocals with Paradise's Doug Williams and featured on all three of the band's albums.[3] In 1986 Johnson attracted the enthusiastic attention of Paul Weller.[4] His concerts on the London Gospel circuit led to a recording contract and his self-titled first album with CBS.[5] His 1989 second album Personal received favourable reviews in the jazz and soul press, but failed to make impact commercially.[6]

Discography

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Albums

  • Paul Johnson (CBS 4506401) 1987 - UK No. 63
  • Personal (CBS 4632841) 1989 - UK No. 70[7]

Singles

  • "When Love Comes Calling" 1987 - UK No. 52
  • "Half a World Away" 1987 - UK No. 79
  • "Are We Strong Enough" 1987
  • "Fear of Falling" 1988
  • "Burnin'" 1988
  • "Every Kinda People" 1988
  • "No More Tomorrows" 1989 - UK No. 67
  • "Masquerade" 1989 - UK No. 97
  • "Don't Make Me Wait Too Long" 1990 - UK No. 95[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Young richly talented soul singer Paul Johnson". Blues & Soul. 1988. p. 14.
  2. ^ Betts, Graham (2005). Complete UK Hit Albums, 1956–2005 (illustrated ed.). Collins. p. 144. ISBN 9780007205325. PAUL JOHNSON UK singer who was a member of Paradise before going solo. He later recorded with Mica Paris. PAUL JOHNSON CBS 4506401 PERSONAL CBS 4632841
  3. ^ "Paradise: Britain's gospel funk pioneers of the 1980s now on CD". 15 August 2010.
  4. ^ Reed, John (2009). Paul Weller: My Ever Changing Moods. Music Sales Group. ISBN 9780857120496. ... direction have often come from his listening habits so his enthusiasm that summer for young soul singers like Paul Johnson, Steven Duntaine and Pat Knight hinted at the direction The Style Council might take.
  5. ^ Richardson, Clive (2012). Soul Citizen – Tales & Travels from the Dawn of the Soul Era to the ... (illustrated ed.). ISBN 9781291246735. 1987 ... A short while later, in a similar venue, came the chance to welcome Paul Johnson to the goldpaved world of pop music though sadly without the same results.
  6. ^ CD Review Digest Annual 1990 " Personal Paul Johnson (voc). CBS (Great Britain) 463 284 773 'Taken as a whole, the set is a rivetingly complete exploration of soul music that is light enough for mass appeal and involved enough to be of lasting value."
  7. ^ a b "PAUL JOHNSON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 22 October 2020.