Denise Johnson

When the news broke on July 27th, 2020 that Denise Johnson - one of Manchester&#39;s most talented and cherished singers - had died, so much love poured out for her from across the world. Her stunning voice can be heard on so many iconic singles and albums over the past 30 years from the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:3wury2nd8idV4GecUg5xze" data-name="Primal Scream">Primal Scream</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0yNLKJebCb8Aueb54LYya3" data-name="New Order">New Order</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2bA2YuQk2ID3PWNXUhQrWS" data-name="Johnny Marr">Johnny Marr</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5fScAXreYFnuqwOgBsJgSd" data-name="The Charlatans">The Charlatans</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5mkI3ZZVNkFFVv5Yo51YeY" data-name="Michael Hutchence">Michael Hutchence</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7hFdUW64G4iU1tz46ITRfN" data-name="808 State">808 State</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3xYNGCooNIzKMAtJYKSOyq" data-name="Electronic">Electronic</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:28pqwEjm2WDueRWP4AjA1x" data-name="Bernard Butler">Bernard Butler</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3s398TKZNahAURRacx7oIT" data-name="Ian Brown">Ian Brown</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5TnuP42pw475UrjjeabtwZ" data-name="The Waterboys">The Waterboys</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:2vygNfdnPBXah21ZrqhxYk" data-name="A Certain Ratio">A Certain Ratio</a>.

Denise had however, been working on her own debut acoustic album not long before she passed away, which now sees a posthumous release.

&#39;Where Does It Go&#39; was recorded at Hope Mill Recording Studios in Ancoats, Manchester. Alongside Denise&#39;s previous single releases and &#39;Well I Wonder&#39; by <a href="spotify:artist:3yY2gUcIsjMr8hjo51PoJ8" data-name="The Smiths">The Smiths</a>, is &#39;Evangeline&#39;, a song by one of her favourite writers, Simon Aldred of <a href="spotify:artist:2f7VJ37O9YUj6kpMKph9YC" data-name="Cherry Ghost">Cherry Ghost</a>. Another song Denise wanted to include on the album is a cover of <a href="spotify:artist:7ndXQ4XNWOzIPq3ElQhrEP" data-name="Ellie Greenwich">Ellie Greenwich</a>&#39;s &#39;Sunshine After The Rain&#39;, a song Denise performed in her role as Mary, in the BBC&#39;s incredible live staging of The Manchester Passion in 2006. Denise always cited this event as one of the highlights of her career, for the simple reason that she knew it had made her mother incredibly proud.

Anyone who saw Denise sing will remember it, because there was an honesty about her stage presence that compelled your attention.
No need for crazy dancing, no suspect stage gear, no gimmicks. Just that voice and an occasional tambourine.


Photo by Danny Bird