- Davey Johnston -- vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, piano, dulcimer

  supporting musicians:

- Mohammed Amin -- bass

- Rick Bakeman (aka Elton John) -- harmonium

- B.J. Cole -- pedal steel, guitar

- Ray Cooper -- percussion

- Gus Dudgeon -- tambourine

- Mick Flynn - whistle

- Dave Herschell - synthesizers

- Michael Hinton -- trumpets

- Di Johnstone -- vocals

- Chris Karan -- tablas

- Chris Lawrence -- string bass

- Graeme Morgan -- drums; percussion

- Dee Murray -- bass

- Nigel Olsson -- drums, percussion

- Jo Partridge -- washboard

-

- China

- Elton John Band

- Magna Carta

- Warpipes

Genre: pop

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Smiling Face

Company: Rocket

Catalog: MCA 340
Year: 1973

Country/State: Edinburgh, Scotland

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: gatefold sleeve; cut lower right corner

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1269

Price: $1269

Cutout bins are choked full with long forgotten albums put out by hopefully  studio musicians and professional sidemen.  As far as guitarist Davey Johnstone's 1973's solo debut "Smiling Face" goes, well, it falls somewhere in the middle of the pack.  You've certain heard better and you've heard far.   

Even though Johnstone had stellar musical credentials, it's hard to imagine he would have been given an opportunity to record a solo album were it not for his relationship with Elton John.    Released on John's MCA-affiliated Rocket Records (John reportedly set up the label in part to release Johnstone's album), the collection was produced by John's long time producer Gus Dudgeon and featured support from John along with most of his recording and touring band, including percussionist Ray Cooper, bassist Dee Murray, and drummer Nigel Olsson - the latter also released a couple of solo albums).  Judging by the release date, it would appear this project was recorded at roughly the same John and company were recording  the "Honky Chateau" and "Don’t Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player’ albums. so kudos to the man for taking time out to support one of his friends.  That might also explain why 'Our Dear Friend' sounded like an early-'70s Elton John track.    

So, to his credit Johnstone doesn't seem to have been under delusions of grandeur.  Instead of turning in an album that mimicked mentor Elton John, or showcased his technical prowess, Johnstone seems to have elected to record and album reflecting his own interests which included quite a bit of English folk ('The Boatman' and 'You Are I Am'), some traditional tunes (the closing instrumental medley 'Lark In the Morning with Mrs. McLeod'), and an occasional nod to more contemporary pop (the title track and 'Our Dear Friend').  It was all quite low-keyed and better for the absence of hype.  The album was also a true family affair with young son Tam featured on the cover (he looks like a handful) and wife Di co-writing two tunes ('Janine' and 'A Lonely Day'), as well as handling lead vocals on another song ('A Lonely Day').   Again, was it a great album ?  Absolutely not, but it did have a low--key charm that beats the hell out of most sideman projects.  

"Smiling Face" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Keep Right On   (Davey Johnstone) - 5:00

'Keep Right On' opened the album with a pretty, if rather stark ballad, that gathered energy (and instrumentation) as if rolled along.  Hardly the most original tune I've ever heard, but Johnstone's fragile voice didn't sound half bad on this one.   rating: *** stars

2.) Janine   (Di Johnstone - Davey Johnstone) - 3:01

Co-written with his wife, 'Janine' was a painful pop tune that never really seemed to kick into gear while Johnstone struggled to stay in tune on the higher ranges.   rating: ** stars

3.) The Boatman   (Davey Johnstone) -3:30

The first couple of times I heard 'The Boatman' I couldn't figure out if Johnstone was trying to mine the English folk-rock vein populated by Fairport Convention and The Strawbs ...  Definitely a strange tune, though the sudden and unexpected electric guitar solo was nice.   rating: *** stars

4.) Walking Out   (Davey Johnstone) -2:03

Good-timely bluegrass-flavored tune that was apparently intended to be cute, but came off as irritating.   rating: ** stars

5.) Our Dear Friend   (Davey Johnstone) -2:35

With Johnstone's voice seemingly bulked up by multi-tracking,, 'Our Dear Friend' actually sounded a bit like an Elton John tune.  Nice thumping Dee Murray bass line.  rating: *** stars

6.) Island  (instrumental)  (Davey Johnstone) - 3:59

Pretty largely instrumental tune showcasing Johnstone' on acoustic guitar with Ray Cooper's percussion giving the song a distinctive Eastern-influence.   rating: ** stars

(side 2)
1.) After the Dance (instrumental)   (Bert Jansch - John Renbourn) - 3:31

A solo instrumental, 'After the Dance' showcased Johnstone impressive chops on acoustic and electric guitars.   Should appeal to guitar aficionados out there, but most folks well move on to the next tune.   rating: *** stars

2.) You Are I Am (Davey Johnstone) - 5:00

Pretty folk/country-rock tinged number with some nice pedal steel guitar from B.J. Cole.  It was also Johnstone's best vocal performance.  He sounded quite comfortable and capable on this one.   rating: *** stars

3.) Smiling Face (Davey Johnstone) - 3:59

The title track was clearly the album's stab at a radio-friendly pop song and as far as it went the combination of a bouncy melody, another pleasant vocal, and David Henschell's cheesy ARP synthesizers made this an album highlight.   rating: **** stars

4.) Beautiful One (Davey Johnstone) - 1:25

I remember listening to this one three times in a row and being unable to remember a single thing about it ...  rating: ** stars

5.) A Lonely Day (Di Johnston - Davey Johnstone) - 2:22

Well, it was certainly sweet of Johnstone to let his wife Di Johnstone take over lead vocals on 'A Lonely Day'.   She co-wrote it, so give her credit for at least giving it a shot - that took some credit and she certainly sounded better than Yoko Ono, or the late Linda McCartney.   The result was a sweet folk tune that was primarily memorable for the uplifting lyric and Davey Johnstone's mandolin.   rating: *** stars

6.) Lark In the Morning with Mrs. McLeod (instrumental)  (traditional, arranged by Davey Johnstone) - 5:02

Surprisingly enjoyable medley of Irish folk tined instrumentals with Johnstone highlighting his nimble fingers of mandolin while producer Gus Dudgeon wailing away on tambourine with Elton John playing harmonium under the alias Rick Bakeman.  rating: *** stars

For anyone interested, Johnstone has a small web presence at:  http://www.daveyjohnstone.com/