CREDITS:
-Richard Janssen, zang en gitaar
-Geert de Groot, bas en zang
-Henk Jonkers, drums en zang
-Dirk Heuff, gitaar
extra muzikanten:
-Cor Willemse, toetsen
-John Sebastian, acoustische gitaar en mondharmonica op 1, 3 en 4
-Ann Lang, achtergrondzang op 3, 4 en 8
-Howie Brownie, saxofoon op 3 en 5
-Jay Ungar, viool op 9
-Gregg Bauer, electrische piano op 2
opgenomen, februari - maart 1988 in de Nevessa studio's Woodstock
geproduceerd door Mick Ronson
In Rolling Stone's review of The Fatal Flowers's first U.S. release, 1987's "YOUNGER DAYS," David Fricke wrote that "'Nowhere To Lay My Head' is the kind of six-string wipe-out you'd be willing to buy a whole album for. But there's at least half a dozen more like it [on the record]." Prefaced "Who says the Dutch can't rock?," the review was an eloquent example of the sort of acclaim the Dutch quartet has been generating with their nofrilis, guitar-drenched rock'n'roll.
The members of The Fatal Flowers (Richard Janssen -vocals/guitar, Geert de Groot - bass, Dirk Heuff - guitar, and Henk Jonkers - drums) originated from Amsterdam's late-70's punk scene. When the band formed in 1985, it became rapidly clear that, apart from its energy, their music had nothing to do with punk. Their guitar-oriented rock'n'roll fit in with what was called "The Amsterdam School": strong guitar-based songs that draw on the music of the late 60's. After recording a well-received debut in London with producer Craig Leon (Blondie/The Ramones), The Fatal Flowers went on to work on "YOUNGER DAYS," which earned them their place on the Atlantic roster and Holland's most important music award, the Edison.
At the same time, their reputation as a superlative live band kept growing, especially after their impressive performance at the Pinkpop Open Air Festival, where they shared the bill with Iggy Pop, Echo & The Bunnymen, Lou Reed, Lone Justice, and others. For their follow-up to "YOUNGER DAYS," The Fatal Flowers have enlisted a guitar hero in his own right, guitarist/producer Mick Ronson, best-known for his landmark work with Lou Reed, Bowie, and lan Hunter/Mott The Hoople. Although not a "concept album," "JOHNNY D. IS BACK! AN ALBUM BY THE FATAL FLOWERS" follows the ups and downs of Johnny D., an imaginary aging rock star, as he faces the sad reality of his dying career and tarnished fame. As powerful lyrically as it is musically, "JOHNNY D." is the kind of record that keeps the rock'n'roll flame ablaze.
