CHARLES BROWN: These Blues
-
Artist:
You can hide feelings sometimes when you're blue, but not always," Charles Brown states in the liner notes of his 1969 album Legend! Brown may not always sing about his own feelings, but never are the pain and the strength of his songs less than genuine. These Blues, another welcome addition to his still-growing catalog, boasts pristine production and a stellar supporting cast, but Brown is the undeniable star.Brown finds his power in the subtle use of his rascally voice. What he lacks in technical range he makes up in emotion deeply felt and elegantly stated. All he expresses – the lowdown blues of the title track, the yearning of "A Sunday Kind of Love" – is underscored by his ever-present piano. His hybrid stride playing is still potent, his technique sharp, his fingers nimble. Brown can do it all and does. "Is You Is, or Is You Ain't Ma' Baby" features a startling classical-inspired piano intro; then, when Brown's ensemble joins in, the company rocks gently but surely. Brown makes Buddy Johnson's "Save Your Love for Me" his own – "Run away/If I were wise, Charles Brown would run away/Like a fool in love I stay" – singing as if the pain were inflicted the day before and the night of tossing and turning did nothing to soothe his soul.
But Brown seems most content accompanying himself. His playing caresses an endearingly gruff voice, but the combination has never sounded sweeter. Brown gives the album-closing "Amazing Grace" his heart, turning the search for spiritual guidance inward, bringing the oft-sung song a wrenching, lonely air. In stark contrast, the glad-she-broke-my-heart sentiments of "I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good)" may have been sung beautifully by others (Ella immediately comes to mind), but no one has enjoyed performing it more than Charles Brown has.
And that is Brown's magic. He is having tremendous fun, and he has no problem sharing his good time. The sheer pleasure of playing and singing permeates the session, lending a lighter touch to the loneliness that informs These Blues and making it more endurable.
Brown has enjoyed success before, having had hits with Johnny Moore and his band ("Drifting Blues" was the biggest "race record" of 1945) and then as a solo artist. His influence is far-reaching. With such a résumé, Brown was bound to be rediscovered, and he is now enjoying a much-deserved revival. With These Blues, Charles Brown pays loving tribute to his past – and gives a nod beyond the pain to the future. (RS 702) MARIE ELSIE ST. LÉGER (Posted: Feb 23, 1995)
Personnel: Clifford Solomon Sax (Tenor) Gaylord Birch Drums Danny Caron Guitar, Musical Director Ruth Davies Bass Charles Brown Piano, Main Performer, Vocals
Tracks:
1 These Blues 2 Honey 3 May I Never Love Again 4 I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 5 Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby? 6 A Hundred Years from Today 7 Save Your Love for Me 8 I Did My Best for You 9 A Sunday Kind of Love 10 Tomorrow 11 Amazing Grace
Details
.. Year: 1994
.. Label: Verve 523022
.. Bitrate: 256kbps
.. Last fm:www.last.fm/music/Charles+Brown
.. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Brown_(musician)
.. Buy: www.amazon.com/These-Blues-Charles-Brown/
|Bluestown-Links|
http://b8f84960.linkbucks.com
[[[ pass - bluestown ]]]
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Comments (0)