Single flashback

Johansen - Walkin' A Fine Line [1987]

Like many Canadian musicians, Glen Johansen did a practicum playing with Ronnie Hawkins - keyboards in his case.

The multi-talented Oshawa, Ontario native is also a vocalist, songwriter, and producer. As an engineer he’s been credited for work with Eddy Grant and Mick Jagger, but wanted to do his own thing.

At Grant’s invitation, Johansen ended up finishing his lone album at the singer’s own studio in Barbados. The record found a home at Coach House records, an imprint where Eddy and his brother Rudolph [aka The Mexicano] had both released music.

The results were two chart singles in Canada, as well as some European crossover success with the 12” dance mixes.

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Walkin’ A Fine Line, peaked #26, 1987

Johansen wrote, engineered, and produced most of this record on his own.

To my ears, there are elements of funk, reggae, and R&B on display - which is kind of astounding for a kid from Oshawa.

And what was it about the mid to late 80s where everyone was writing about being on edge? Imagine if these same artists were writing songs today!

Here We Go Again, peaked #48, 1988

We start off with a lovely and arresting harmony section that reminds of the Beach Boys or Beatles. What follows is a tune that sounds more ‘78 than ‘88.

For me, it would have been a great TV theme song for one of those family sitcoms. Hell, the show could have been called ‘Here We Go Again’. A loveable, blended family and their wacky adventures.

Thursdays at 9 on SCTV…

Glen Johansen would not venture to the other side of the studio glass again, but would continue engineering and occasionally producing.