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Greg Brown - missed the boat, not thrilled that I did
Need a small favor. Let me try to repay it first. Kevin Gordon is a great songwriter, guitarist, singer and performer; not sure which order is appropriate other than it starts with the songwriting, at which he excells. If you are unfamiliar with him, go to kg.kevingordon.net. If you are familiar, you get the point. Kevin has worked with Bo Ramsey, husband to Pieta Brown, daughter to Greg Brown, which brings me to my question: being a Johnny come lately to Greg Brown, and knowing little other than Freak Flag is one hell of a record, that he has recorded a bunch of albums, and that his voice is perhaps an acquired taste (easily in my case), which records do you recommend, and why? Where in your view does Freak Flag fall in his catalog? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rick Fiddler on -
"The Live One" is my favorite.
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Permalink Reply by TenLayers on -
I don't have all of his things but I have a lot. I don't think you can go wrong just closing your eyes and pulling something out his bin and buying it.
If the floodwaters are rising quick and I have to grab something to save I guess it might be "Further In" or "The Poet Game". Don't' forget to pick up the all women tribute CD "Going Driftless". Proceeds go to The Breast Cancer Fund.
And enjoy the journey.
Maybe my favorite line of my music collection is one of his..."you move through my dreams like a trout moves through a pool".....perfect.
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Permalink Reply by David Pedersen on -
You might consider "If I Had Known: Essential Recordings 1980-1996" or "Dream City: Essential Recordings 1997-2006." But as for individual albums, I like "The Poet Game" and "Slant Six Mind."
While you're at it, better get Bo Ramsey's "Stranger Blues," too...
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Permalink Reply by Clive McComb on
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And add Kevin Gordons "Down to the Well" and Bo's "Down to Bastrop",both have Lucinda on. Re Greg,"The Evening Call is a pretty good start
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Permalink Reply by kj miller on
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I agree with ten layers, one at a time would be my recommendation. Enjoy. The question shows the value of ND, it introduces us to the few we might have missed. I always find it hard to believe how many people have not listened to Fred Neil. The list goes on. Thanks for this question. kjm
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Permalink Reply by flabbergasted on
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Perhaps Dreamcafe is out there with the best, although Further In is excellent too... In Europe, Brown remains unknown to most people who are into singer-songwriters - a bloody shame.
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Permalink Reply by Kathy Sands-Boehmer on -
Big fan of "Dream Cafe" and "The Poet Game." I've tried to turn countless people on to Greg's music and you either get it or you don't. Just saw him at Falcon Ridge Folk Fest a couple of weeks back after not seeing him for quite a few years. He's still masterful at his craft.
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Permalink Reply by Les Irvin on
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I agree with Kathy completely. Dream Cafe is splendid and Poet Game is Greg's "Blood on the Tracks". I also really like "Over and Under"
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Permalink Reply by Tom Core on
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'the Iowa Waltz' is a sentimental favorite of mine, basically because it was the first album I owned by Greg Brown, which led me to my deep appreciation of his artistry even 30 years later. 'Further In' and 'Slant 6 Mind' are both incredible albums and would be a great places to start. 'The Poet Game' and 'Covenant' are nearly as equally great. Of course one could not go wrong picking up the two 'Eseential Recordings' compilations. And just for the record, 'Freak Flag' will most likely be in my top five at year's end.
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Permalink Reply by Rob Lytle on -
Any thing that has "just a bum" or "who would a thunk it" 2 classics that I heard on "in the dark with you"
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Permalink Reply by curt brown on
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Saw Greg last weekend in St. Paul and loved his song Canned Goods. here's some lyrics:
Canned Goods
(Greg Brown)
Well, let the wild winter wind bellow and blow.
I'm as warm as a July tomato.
Cho: There's peaches on the shelf, potatoes in the bin.
Supper's ready, everybody come on in.
Taste a little of the summer.
Taste a little of the summer.
Taste a little of the summer.
Grandma put it all in jars.
Well, there's a root cellar, fruit cellar, down below.
Watch your head now, and down we go.
Well, maybe you are weary and you don't give a damn.
I bet you never tasted her blackberry jam.
Oh, she got magic in her, you know what I mean.
She puts the sun and rain in with her beans.
What with the snow and the economy and everything,
I think I'll just stay down here and eat until spring.
When I go down to see Grandma, I gain a lot a weight.
With her dear hands, she gives me plate after plate.
She cans the pickles, sweet and dill,
And the songs of the whip-or-will,
And the morning dew and the evening moon,
I really gotta go down and see her soon.
'Cause the canned goods that I buy at the store
Ain't got the summer in 'em anymore.
You bet, Grandma, as sure as you're born,
I'll take some more potatoes and a thunderstorm.
[As sung by Greg Brown on "One Night" (1983), "One More Goodnight Kiss" (1988),
and "The Live One" (1995).]
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Permalink Reply by Tim Forsman on -
Oooooo, so many to choose from ... so OK, in the following order, first "The Poet Game" , next his early release "The Iowa Waltz" ... the live recordings give a great intro to Greg as a songwriter but more importantly show him to be a incredibly entertaining performer re: "Live One" or "One Moment- Live 1982". Now if you're still finding his voice to be an acquired taste.... check out Prudence Johnson's CD "Songs of Greg Brown", the songwriting shines and many would feel Prudence's voice to be much more to their liking. The tribute album, "Going Driftless" is also a great introduction to Greg's songs through the voices of a great assembly of fellow singer-songwriters.
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