The Artist/The Riddle

Available on CD for the very first time as Volume 5 in the Born Twice Records / Legends Remastered collectible full color digipak series of early Jesus Music from the 70's. Just five years after the release of the Christian psych monster, Exkursions, 1976's The Artist/The Riddle would bring Johnson into a bigger league with a better production budget. It is perhaps his finest moment. The polished album has two title tracks: "The Artist" has a country feel, while "The Riddle" goes for a renaissance sound enhanced by flute and recorder. "Lord, Doctor" appears again. "The Wedding Song" uses a biblical metaphor to describe Christ coming to gather the Church for an eternal consummation. "Little Boy" offers a moving tribute to the task and joy of parenting. Harmony magazine selected Johnson as "Artist of the Year" on the strength of this album. The album is produced by the iconic early Jesus Music legend, Randy Matthews. For fans of Larry Norman, Phil Keaggy, Randy Matthews, Neil Young, Exkursions, Tom Petty, and Daniel Amos!