Room With A View Carolyn Dawn Johnson Arista Nashville, 2001   Buy it online Tracks 1: Georgia 2: Just Another Girl 3: I'll Think Of You That Way 4: Love Is Always Worth The Ache 5: Complicated 6: I Don't Want You To Go 7: You Are 8: Masterpiece 9: Little Bit of This, Little Bit Of That 10: One Day Closer To You 11: Room With A View 12: Tumble And Roll 13: Not Enough To Stay   Reviewed by Lincoln Cho	Country music, more than other forms, stays true to the dual concepts of paying your dues and -- all other things being equal -- the cream will rise. Carolyn Dawn Johnson -- CDJ to those who know her -- seems almost symbolic of everything that is good and right in country music in the new millennium. Born in Grande Prairie, Alberta in 1971, Johnson learned to play the piano, sax, clarinet, mandolin, guitar and flute before she left her teens. The young singer/songwriter headed for Nashville in 1995, with visions of stardom dancing in her head. Though initially she waitressed to support her dream, she managed to land a publishing contract in under a year. In 1999 she toured with Martina McBride's band, while continuing to write songs for Linda Davis, Pam Tillis, Suzy Bogguss and others. In 2000 the hard work and good exposure paid off when she was signed to Arista and subsequently released the single "Georgia." The song charted well and early, leading to the release of Johnson's first album, Room With A View, with "Georgia," the first track of 13. Room With A View is precisely the album you'd expect from the deeply talented Johnson. The singer wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, with co-writer credits going to Kim Carnes, Tommy Polk, Troy Verges, Marc Beeson and others. Johnson also takes guitar credits on several tracks as well as co-producer credit -- with Paul Worley -- on the album. Johnson is in perfect voice on the album. Soaring to meet complicated harmonies, riffing effortlessly past happy hooks and meeting heartache head on. The album is a well-produced blend of heartrending ballads and tunes that invite you to dance or at least tap your toe. Room With A View dips into all of the places that new country visits. From happy new love in "You Are:" The sunlight on my shoulders, the smile on my face/ My secret weapon, my favorite place/ The reason my heart skips a beat/ The broom that sweeps me off my feet To girls just wanna have fun in "One Day Closer To You:" My married friends keep asking/ When I'll settle down/ They tell me time is passing/ And there's not too many good ones still around To the pain of rejection on "Just Another Girl:" You always had a way with words So you can just imagine when I heard You say she would be your wife Yeah it cut me like a knife. Mostly, however, the songs on Room With A View are brightly optimistic and ready for a new adventure. Just like, one would imagine, the brand new country diva herself. | March 2001 Lincoln Cho is a musician and freelance writer.	Room With A View is precisely the album you'd expect from the deeply talented Johnson. The singer wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, with co-writer credits going to Kim Carnes, Tommy Polk, Troy Verges, Marc Beeson and others. Johnson also takes guitar credits on several tracks as well as co-producer credit -- with Paul Worley -- on the album.