THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE SONGWRITER QUESTIONNAIRE . . . Ted Brown

As we mentioned when we reviewed his new album Solstice Canyon Loop, Ted Brown has been away from New Zealand for over 20 years, living and working in Los Angeles.

That means he's probably slipped off the radar although as longtime guitarist for expat Greg Johnson – also living in Los Angeles – some will certainly remember him.

However now is the time to get reacquainted because Brown's new album, his third, is a fine collection of assured songwriting and delivery.

Solstice Canyon Loop shows Brown to be a natural in the region of Americana with its roots in narrative, a bit of homespun or hard-won philosophy and a clear melodic style.

Time then for Ted, formerly of Auckland, to answer a few questions . .

The first song which made you think, 'Now that's a well crafted piece of work' was . .

• I was probably too young to know that “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” was a masterpiece of writing, harmony and arrangement, but I knew it in my bones!

Complete this sentence: The first song I wrote was . . .
• Called “Get it Together” which I recorded on a 1/4” tape machine in my high school drama room. Probably a message to my confused, angsty teenage self? I recall that it sounded better when I ran the tape backwards. 

The songwriters you will always listen to, even if they disappointed you previously, is?
• Bruce, Bob, Neil and Joni. My favourite American artists are often Canadian.

As songwriters: Lennon-McCartney or Jagger-Richards; Dolly Parton or Joan Baez; Johnny Cash or Kris Kristofferson, Lucinda Williams or Emmylou Harris, Townes Van Zandt or Tom Russell?
• Steve Earle, Joni, Bobby D, The Band (Robbie), Ryan Adams, John Hiatt

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear because they are well crafted are . . .
• Although I’ve been in the States a long time I’m still a Kiwi, so I can’t talk about one of my songs! ...”Here you come again”, Dolly’s version is pretty much perfect. Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

“Without You”, Harry Nilsson’s version is a masterpiece but the original by Badfinger (written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans) is raw brilliance where you can really hear the bones of a great tune.

“Both Sides Now”, Joni Mitchell. I mean, what can you say...?! “I Don’t Wanna Talk About It ”Rods version. But written by Danny Whitten from Crazy Horse....... And I could just keep going - Jimmy Webb - Galveston, Wichita, Phoenix ... Let’s get coffee! 

Melody first? Words or phrase first? Simultaneous?
• I sing melodies into my phone. Often in traffic or first thing in the morning.. But I’ll also write a line if one pops into my head, first thing in the morning mostly or late at night. I think the creative part of the brain is at its most fertile when the sun changes shifts with the moon. 

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

• I read “This Wheels on Fire”, which is Levon’s version of the Band story, then more recently “Testimony”. Really interesting and differing POV’s - Levon putting on his Rambles to make money to pay medical bills. Robbie living off royalties and with his own studio up the street from me at Village Recorders.. 

If you could co-write with anyone it would be . . .
• I met Diane Warren a few years back. She wanted me to sing on a couple demos for her. Would’ve been cool to co-write with her! Carole King? I’m fascinated by old school professional (tin pan alley) songwriters 

The album you would always want in the tour bus or on your mobile device?

The Band, The Band

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you would be . . .
• “Let Em In”, Sir Paul (Wings)

One line (or couplet) from a song -- yours or someone else's -- which you think is just a stone cold winner is . . .
• “But only love can break your heart..”

Songwriting: what's the ratio of inspiration/perspiration?
• 1/4 each - inspiration, perspiration, desperation, masturbation

Ever had a song come to you fully-formed like it dropped into your lap?
• I woke up one morning and wrote down the whole of “Love Is..” from An Unwide Road. It flowed, but I don’t know if it was fully formed? At best I’m a conduit at worst a word-tweaker.

And finally, finish this couplet in any way you like: “Standing at the airport with an empty suitcase at my feet . . .” (You are NOT allowed to rhyme that with “meet” however!)
• I came here in my traveling pants, flying by the seat..

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You can hear and buy Ted Brown's Solstice Canyon Loop at bandcamp here.