Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co. - TEXAS FOUR STEP Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co.
Baby Blue Vinyl 2LP
In 2025, the remaining members of Magnolia Electric Co. joined Will Johnson to record and play shows as Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co. Their sets paired favourites with deep cuts from the Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. catalogues, all written by Jason Molina.
Johnson wrote and recorded with Molina on the 2009 collaborative album Molina & Johnson. He is best known for fronting the influential alt-country band Centro-matic and for his solo albums, including 2025’s Diamond City. He also plays in Jason Isbell’s band The 400 Unit.
These live recordings are drawn from the group’s first four shows, played in Texas in September 2025. They pay tribute to a dear friend and bring Molina’s songs to a new generation of listeners.
Erin Osmon, author of Jason Molina: Riding with the Ghost, recalls hearing Molina in Johnson’s delivery of “Hold On Magnolia” and the “long dark blues” refrain of “Farewell Transmission”. She also singles out the group’s harmonies on “Just Be Simple” as a moment when they made the song their own.
RIYL: Songs:Ohia, Magnolia Electric Co., MJ Lenderman, Drive-By Truckers, Centro-matic, Greg Freeman, Lily Seabird, Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Track List
1.The Dark Don't Hide It (4:41)
2. Hammer Down (4:02)
3. Wooden Heart (3:06)
4. Hot Black Silk (2:40)
5. John Henry Split My Heart (6:34)
SIDE B
1.The Handing Down (3:40)
2. North Star (3:40)
3. The Big Beast (7:00)
4. Hold On Magnolia (6:22)
SIDE C
1.Blue Factory Flame (13:00)
2. Twenty Cycles to the Ground (2:55)
3. The Old Black Hen (4:29
SIDE D
1.Just Be Simple (4:20)
2. Josephine (3:19)
3. Farewell Transmission (7:53)
4. Whip-poor-whill (5:17)