Jack Johnson Synopsis
John T. Montague
11 December, 2012
Jack Johnson Synopsis
To try and attempt to classify Jack Johnson’s style and genre of music to one
type is nearly impossible. This singer-songwriter has a multitude mixes different
influences in a manageable way in order to make a style of music his very own. His
style is a mixture of acoustic-folk, blues, reggae, pop, and sometimes even a hip hop
type of sound. In the year 2000 Jack Johnson’s sound became popular and widely
listened to with his emergence into the music world. He expands off of the basis of a
wide range of genres, utilizing different instruments with a wide variety of timbres. His
main strong suit in the music of his own would be his songwriting style with a broad
usage of political and environmental views on our society as a whole. Jack Johnson,
unlike others in his similar genre of music does not flaunt solo improvisation such as the
like of John Mayer and Ben Harper. In general his music is laid back and very easy to
listen to for consumers of all ages in a diverse sound that strikes a further type of study
in later years.
Jack Johnson draws influence from a great number and variety of musicians. He
quotes Nick Drake, Ben Harper, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and
A Tribe Called Quest among his influences. It is easy to hear the elements that each
adds to his sound, such as the acoustic folk of Drake, the songwriting and lyrical skill of
Dylan, the political activism of Young and Dylan, the reggae of Marley, the guitar
prowess of Ben Harper, and the sheer creativity, catchiness and mass appeal of the
Beatles.
Jack Johnson, in this genre gained popularity largely by appealing to the fans of
a variety influences. He incorporates enough of his influence’s sound to win over the
fans of his particular influence while still being unique. Most bands begin small, playing
coffee shops and small venues until
11 December, 2012
Jack Johnson Synopsis
To try and attempt to classify Jack Johnson’s style and genre of music to one
type is nearly impossible. This singer-songwriter has a multitude mixes different
influences in a manageable way in order to make a style of music his very own. His
style is a mixture of acoustic-folk, blues, reggae, pop, and sometimes even a hip hop
type of sound. In the year 2000 Jack Johnson’s sound became popular and widely
listened to with his emergence into the music world. He expands off of the basis of a
wide range of genres, utilizing different instruments with a wide variety of timbres. His
main strong suit in the music of his own would be his songwriting style with a broad
usage of political and environmental views on our society as a whole. Jack Johnson,
unlike others in his similar genre of music does not flaunt solo improvisation such as the
like of John Mayer and Ben Harper. In general his music is laid back and very easy to
listen to for consumers of all ages in a diverse sound that strikes a further type of study
in later years.
Jack Johnson draws influence from a great number and variety of musicians. He
quotes Nick Drake, Ben Harper, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and
A Tribe Called Quest among his influences. It is easy to hear the elements that each
adds to his sound, such as the acoustic folk of Drake, the songwriting and lyrical skill of
Dylan, the political activism of Young and Dylan, the reggae of Marley, the guitar
prowess of Ben Harper, and the sheer creativity, catchiness and mass appeal of the
Beatles.
Jack Johnson, in this genre gained popularity largely by appealing to the fans of
a variety influences. He incorporates enough of his influence’s sound to win over the
fans of his particular influence while still being unique. Most bands begin small, playing
coffee shops and small venues until
Cited: Brown, Marisa. "All Music Guide: Joshua Radin Biography." http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll (accessed 11/30/12). Geocities.com. “Jack Johnson Interviews." http://www.geocities.com/jackjohnsononline/interviews.htm (accessed 12/01/12). Johnson, Jack H. "Jack Johnson Myspace." http://www.myspace.com/jackjohnsonmusic (accessed 11/27/12). Wilson, MacKenzie. "All Music Guide: Jack Johnson Biography." http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wvfrxqukldde (accessed 12/10/12/).