Greg Brown: One Night
For the month of May we have chosen another live album stylistically different from everything that has been reviewed so far in 2009. Greg Brown is a legendary indie artist from the Midwest who has toured extensively for the last 25+ years across the country. Known as a singer/songwriter, Greg Browns music is influenced by American Roots music. Strong finger-picking, bluesy rhythms, and jazz tinged chord progressions are all hallmarks of this prolific songwriter.
"One Night" was originally recorded in the summer of 1982 and released on Coffeehouse Extempore Records in 1983. This vinyl LP album had not been available for many years until Red House Records (a small Minnesota label) re-released this record with several other songs recorded during the original show that were never included on the vinyl version.
The album opens up with a jazzy swing track entitled "Dream On." This song pokes fun at naivety and optimism at the same time. Greg Brown sings through a couple verses before he talks about a swami that he meets that charges $800 for enlightenment. He doesn't have the money and tries to make a deal with the swami who says "Dream On." "The world ain't what you think it is, it just is what it is," as is sung several times in the refrain. This song is a really great way to start the Album and you are captivated right away by Greg Browns baritone vocals and witty lyrics.
The second track "Canned Goods" reveals Greg Browns background. "Taste a little of the summer my Grandma put it all in jars." This song spells out the delights of the fresh foods from his Grandma's kitchen. This song will evoke strong memories from anyone who has ever been in the kitchen during the canning process. This was one of my favorite tracks on the Album.
As the Album progresses, finger-style and creative picking on the guitar backs up strong stories of rural America. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, with the occasional harmonica solo; all convincingly sung by a master storyteller.
"Sorrow is as thin as an electric mandolin, and the moon is as round as a banjo" -Banjo Moon
The most impressive thing about Greg Browns music are his lyrics. From the cleaver wit of his allusions in "Downtown", to the endearing memories of his grandparents strawberry farm in the song "Ella Mae." Lyrics that are part poetry (Dylan), part history (Guthrie), with a little commentary sprinkled in ('60's beatniks), Greg Brown has a full grasp of his folk roots.
For a live production recorded in 1982, this album is of surprisingly good quality. Good guitar tones highlight strong and clear vocals. Despite the lack of any percussion the timing during the performance is excellent. Even with 16 tracks on the Album, you can only hear one or two small miscues during the entire set. With the strength of music, a strong delivery, and the timelessness of the lyrics, this Album is a Paravellum recommendation with 3.5 stars out of 5.