Junior Brown - 7 Albums (7CDs: 1993-2005) [Re-Up]

×

Junior Brown - 7 Albums (7CDs: 1993-2005) [Re-Up]

Close

A singer and demon guitarist whose raucous blend of country and rock & roll helped make him a successful crossover act, Junior Brown was born in 1952 and raised in the backwoods of Kirksville, IN. He first learned to play the piano from his father, and was exposed to country through radio and TV, becoming a fan of Ernest Tubb's music and television program. He became a professional musician at the tail end of the '60s, while still in his teens.After honing his guitar skills in relative anonymity throughout the '70s, Brown became an instructor at the Hank Thompson School of Country Music, an affiliate of Rogers State College in Oklahoma. There, while teaching under the auspices of steel guitar legend Leon McAuliffe, a onetime member of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, Brown met "the lovely Miss Tanya Rae," a student whom he would later marry in 1988 and who eventually joined his band as a rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist. At the same time, a dream prompted him to set about creating an instrument fusing a six-string guitar with its steel counterpart. Contacting guitar maker Michael Stevens in 1985, he developed the "guit-steel," a double-necked guitar combining the standard instrument with the steel. (A decade later, the two men reunited to update the "guit-steel," and Brown's cherry axe, "Big Red," was born.) After moving to Austin, TX, Brown and his group became the house band at the city's Continental Club, where strong word-of-mouth eventually earned them a record deal. He made his long-awaited album debut in 1993 with 12 Shades of Brown, which featured a tribute to his biggest influence, "My Baby Don't Dance to Nothing but Ernest Tubb." It also showcased his often-stunning instrumental work, and blended Western swing, honky tonk, and electrified Bakersfield country. Guit With It followed later in the year, and like its predecessor, was met with considerable critical acclaim. After a five-song stopgap EP, 1995's Junior High, Brown returned in 1996 with Semi-Crazy, which continued in the vein established on his previous recordings. The Long Walk Back followed two years later, and displayed a bit more rockabilly flavor. Brown issued his fifth album, Mixed Bag, in 2001. His next record, 2004's Down Home Chrome, found him on a new label (Telarc) but with the same tried and true sound. Curb released a twelve-song Greatest Hits collection in June of 2005, followed by Telarc's Live at the Continental Club: The Austin Experience later that September.

×

Junior Brown - 7 Albums (7CDs: 1993-2005) [Re-Up]

Close

Brown's debut deck shines like gold with standout original material like "They Don't Choose to Live That Way," "My Hillbilly Hula Gal" and "My Baby Don't Dance to Nothing but Ernest Tubb" being particular noteworthy. Possessing a voice that will curl the hair on the back of your neck while picking both single-string picking and slide stylings on his twin neck 'guit-steel, ' this is a mighty-talented fella, neo-traditionalist or not.

1. My Baby Don't Dance To Nothing But Ernest Tubb 2:10
2. Baby Let The Bad Times Be 2:52
3. Freeborn Man 4:24
4. They Don't Choose To Live That Way 2:50
5. Too Many Nights In A Roadhouse 2:39
6. Hillbilly Hula Gal 2:28
7. A Way To Survive 3:32
8. Broke Down South Of Dallas 2:28
9. What's Left Just Won't Go Right 2:24
10. Moan All Night Long 2:24
11. Coconut Island 2:17
12. Don't Sell The Farm 3:45

×

Junior Brown - 7 Albums (7CDs: 1993-2005) [Re-Up]

Close

Junior Brown's rumbling, strikingly deep voice, tasty electric and steel guitar playing, and splendid honky-tonk and Western swing songs have made him a sensation in country circles. There's nothing phony or clichéd about Brown's music; this is the genuine, untutored, undiluted article. Brown can sing tunes requiring sincerity, ache or irony with equal flair. The CD's 12 cuts include the nearly 12-minute "Guit-Steel Blues," and a sharp cover of Hank Garland's "Sugarfoot Stomp," and the bittersweet "Doin' What Comes Easy to a Fool" and "Holding Pattern." Brown is as vital and refreshing as early John Anderson or Randy Travis.

1. Doin' What Comes Easy To A Fool 2:42
2. Highway Patrol 2:39
3. So Close Yet So Far Away 3:38
4. Sugarfoot Rag 4:06
5. My Wife Thinks You're Dead 3:48
6. You Didn't Have To Go All The Way 2:26
7. Party Lights 2:52
8. Names And Addresses 2:38
9. Still Life With Rose 2:53
10. Holding Pattern 3:30
11. Guit-Steel Blues 11:15
12. The Gal From Oklahoma 2:11

×

Junior Brown - 7 Albums (7CDs: 1993-2005) [Re-Up]

Close

On Semi-Crazy, Junior Brown's third full-length album, the suit-and-tied Texas singer's clever lyrics, Ernest Tubb-like voice, and virtuoso guitar playing (on his custom-made, double-necked
"guit-steel," which allows him to switch quickly between picking and steel playing) are once again intact and on the mark. Semi-Crazy may not bowl Brown fans over immediately – he offers no new twists as either a writer or player. On the other hand, because Brown is one of country music's most stunning guitarists (imagine Ornette Coleman crossed with Speedy West) – not to mention possessing a truly original sound – it's hard not to fall for the classic Brown sound of "I Hung It Up" (a standout for the guitar work), "Gotta Get Up Every Morning," and the fun-loving title track (his duet partner, Red Simpson, penned Brown's earlier song "Highway Patrol").

1. Gotta Get Up Every Morning 1:59
2. Darlin' I'll Do Anything You Say 2:51
3. I Hung It Up 3:35
4. I Want To Hear It From You 3:15
5. Semi-Crazy [Vocal Duet With Red Simpson] 3:26
6. Honk Kong Blues 3:35
7. Venom Wearin' Denim 2:37
8. Parole Board 3:43
9. Joe The Singing Janitor 3:14
10. Surf Medley 7:04

×

Junior Brown - 7 Albums (7CDs: 1993-2005) [Re-Up]

Close

Just as much fun and as satisfying as he always is, Junior Brown once more gits gone with all the energy and punch that has come to be expected of this hardcore honky tonker. While the title cut is good, he really revs things up on the all-instrumental "Peelin' Taters" and "I'm All Fired Up." "Stupid Blues," "Just a Little Love" and "Read 'Em and Weep" display the interesting blend of Brown's own Texas swing/Bakersfield/honky tonk brand of country & western music. For a little spice, Junior adds a cover of the Elvis hit "Rock-A-Hula Baby" and the Hunter/Vincent tune "(I'm Just) Looking for Love." As always, Tanya Rae provides the complementary backing vocals that make the Brown sound so unique. One of traditional country music's favorite good ol' boys, Junior Brown hits the nail directly on the head once again.

1. Long Walk Back To San Antone 3:35
2. The Better Half 2:46
3. Read 'Em And Weep 3:06
4. Rock-A-Hula Baby 2:28
5. Lookin' For Love 2:28
6. Peelin' Taters 2:54
7. Freedom Machine 3:24
8. Just A Little Love 3:40
9. Keepin' Up With You 3:49
10. I'm All Fired Up 3:34
11. Stupid Blues 8:53

×

Junior Brown - 7 Albums (7CDs: 1993-2005) [Re-Up]

Close

The quirky country and roots rocker with the self-fashioned "Big Red" double-necked steel guitar always seems like he's got his tongue in his cheek, whether he's doing a travelogue tale by Jerry Hubbard ("Guitar Man") or a hilarious spy romance fable ("Cagey Bea"). Brown and his extreme tenor have their sweeter, romantic side in full bloom here as well ("Our First Bluebonnet Spring"), and it's clear he has a penchant for classic Southern sounds like the ragtime tune "Riverboat Shuffle." He complements a mix of fast-paced and gently laconic originals with a folksy reading of a tune written by his idol, Ernest Tubb ("Kansas City Blues"). The listener might be so riveted by Brown's voice, attitude, and lyrical dramas that he or she might miss another of the album's consistent joys – his potent electric guitar jamming, used well as harmony and in solo spots.

1. Guitar Man 4:14
2. Ain't Gonna Work Today 2:43
3. Riverboat Shuffle 2:33
4. Our First Bluebonnet Spring 3:48
5. Cagey Bea 3:09
6. Runnin' With The Wind 2:57
7. Catfish And Collard Greens 4:02
8. Little Town Square 3:13
9. Hard Livin' Hard 3:01
10. Kansas City Blues 3:34
11. Grow Up America 3:34
12. The Chase 2:43

×

Junior Brown - 7 Albums (7CDs: 1993-2005) [Re-Up]

Close

Other than Junior Brown's label affiliation, little else has changed on the singer/guitarist's sixth album and first in four years. Honky tonk, rockabilly, and the rich sound of Bakersfield country are leavened with a healthy sense of humor ("Two Rons Don't Make It Right," "Where Has All the Money Gone?"), played with Brown's custom-made 12-string "guit-steel," and sung in his distinctive baritone. Side trips into lounge-ish jazz ("You Inspire Me"), hard rock ( perhaps not an entirely necessary cover of Hendrix's "Foxey Lady"), and slow blues (an album-closing ten-minute "Monkey Wrench Blues") seem like desperate attempts to show how eclectic he is. They might be live showstoppers, but just don't blend in well with the rest of the disc's more countrified approach. Much better is "Jimmy Jones," a classic, laconic, mostly spoken story-song about a brother who wanders off to his death in war. The horn-fueled jump blues swing of "Hill Country Hot Rod Man" is another diversion, but this one seems more natural and is an excellent forum for Brown's guitar pyrotechnics. A little too spotty, especially in its schizophrenic last quarter hour, the album is an adequate representation of the different styles that define Junior Brown. The pacing doesn't support his talent, making this a frustrating if somewhat enjoyable listen that is probably better appreciated after you have seen him live.

1. Little Rivi-Airhead 3:39
2. It Hurts When I Do That 3:12
3. Where Has All the Money Gone? 3:13
4. The Bridge Washed Out 3:00
5. Hill Country Hot Rod Man 5:37
6. Jimmy Jones 4:47
7. Let's Go Back 2:55
8. Two Rons Don't Make It Right 2:59
9. You Inspire Me 4:23
10. Are You Just Cuttin' Up? 3:23
11. Foxy Lady 6:54
12. Monkey Wrench Blues 10:13

×

Junior Brown - 7 Albums (7CDs: 1993-2005) [Re-Up]

Close

If Junior Brown were going to record a live album anywhere, it may as well be at the Continental Club in Austin, TX; Brown played a five-year Sunday night residency there in the 1990s that helped launch the maverick picker into the national limelight, and if there was ever a town made to embrace Brown's wild fusion of country, rock, surf, jazz, and anything else that could make its way through his fingers onto his "guit-steel," it's the Texas capitol that's also one of America's greatest cities for all sorts of live music. Brown and his band made their way back to their old stomping grounds for a two-day recording party in April 2005; 52 minutes' worth of the results are collected on Live at the Continental Club: The Austin Experience, and this disc captures Junior in typically dazzling form on his "guit-steel." Brown is a casually masterful picker who can seemingly excel in any style he chooses, and from the fast-stepping honky tonk of "I Hung It Up," the instrumental rock showcase of the closing medley, and the norteño stylings of "Juan Charasquado" (with the great Flaco Jimenez sitting in on squeeze box), Brown burns with flash and melodic substance from front to back on this disc. This guy knows how to deliver the goods, and the wildly enthusiastic crowd here didn't need to be enhanced for this release – this was obviously a show worth seeing, and the results are manna from heaven for guitar freaks. If this album has a flaw, it's that Brown appears to have the not unknown Achilles' heel of not singing and playing especially well at the same time; while his guitar work is sterling throughout, the first half of the album finds Brown sounding just a shade flat in the vocal department. But if you're a fan, chances are you come to hear Junior play more than sing, and on that scale The Austin Experience thoroughly satisfies.

1. Broke Down South of Dallas 2:40
2. Party Lights 2:52
3. My Wife Thinks Your Dead 3:23
4. Hillbilly Hula Gal 2:38
5. I Hung It Up 8:24
6. Juan Charasquado 4:47
7. Highway Patrol 3:09
8. Gotta Get Up Every Morning 2:23
9. Lifeguard Larry 3:38
10. Long Walk Back To San Antone 5:14
11. I Want to Live and Love Always 3:50
12. Rock and Roll Medley 9:33