Johnny Still Got Game by John Korbel has a refreshing feeling of creative freedom about it, since the album does not commit itself to a single mood or method of storytelling. The singer-songwriter style, which is adjacent to jazz, is based on sophisticated pop, funk, and soul, allowing the arrangements to remain refined without becoming too serious. The album’s witty observations, its thoughts on romance, and its imaginative side trips all contribute to its character, while the diverse musical directions keep the experience of listening interesting.
‘Speed Shop at the Top of the World’ is one of the most entertaining on the album. The song’s lively and carefree nature is reflected in its surreal mentions of grease monkeys, Buddhist monks, and an automotive Bodhisattva, combining in an odd way both images and wordplay. Instead of taking the usual route of storytelling, it goes for spontaneity and lets its imagination become the focal point. A new viewpoint is offered in ‘Paint a Starry Night’, with its broad horn-based arrangement supporting a reflection on romance in later life; references to Vincent van Gogh give an artistic touch to a theme that involves love, memory and the possibility of renewal.
Although it has some lighter moments, the album also includes more serious reflection in the form of ‘Great Flowing River’. The song starts out as an effort to deal with traditional river imagery without relying on clichés and then becomes a careful look at American history, racial divisions and reconciliation. Because it focuses on facing the past while aiming at a common future, the song has special importance. Instead of taking an overly forceful stance, the lyrics let their message come through by means of reflection, which is why it is one of the more thought-provoking items in the collection.
The reason why Johnny Still Got Game is so appealing is because it is willing to shift between opposing ideas. There is a harmony between its sophisticated musical arrangements and its humorous storytelling, and the influence of funk and soul forms an interesting basis for its jazz-style songwriting. The fact that it references Steely Dan, Al Jarreau, and Michael Franks gives some insight into its musical style but the album’s main attraction is the variety of its content: all three elements—romantic uncertainty, reflections on history and a wonderfully unconventional imagination are included here, which gives the record a character that goes beyond any one genre or topic.
