Graham Reid | | <1 min read
Stops
It has probably been many years, if not decades, since most in New Zealand heard of Ted Brown, most commonly known as the longtime guitarist in Greg Johnson's band.
Like Johnson, Brown has lived in Los Angeles for more the 20 years now and just as Johnson moved into the refined, singer-songwriter territory, Brown moved more toward alt.country.
This highly accomplished third solo album finds him in full southwest alt.country mode telling hard won life lessons and stories in the company of a superb, punchy band which includes keyboard player Mark Hart (Crowded House), bassist Dusty Wakeman (Lucinda, Dwight), pedal steel payer (Jimmy Webb) and others, with Ben King adding vocals remotely from New Zealand.
Recorded live in the studio, the album has that feel of authenticity which makes the tough-minded or sensitive lyrics feel even more present.
This is mature urban alt.country which has the occasional touch of Barry Saunders/Warratahs (Dark Side of Memory Lane), hard-edged guitar (on the emotionally edgy Come Back), a living room session (Little Running with swooning pedal steel) and something for slightly nostalgic highway listening (Stops).
Brown is in strong voice and these eight, diverse songs are lyrically concise, focused and stand favourably alongside whatever other alt.country you might be enjoying.
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You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here.
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