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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Permalink Reply by Jeff Newport on August 5, 2011 at 4:59pm
I'm going for Missed Your Boat, mainly due to the presence of If I Had Known, which reminds me of a date with my 8th grade girlfriend, Jane.  But, Greg's entire body of work is essential to anyone from my generation - The Beach Boys to The Allman Brothers, to Little Feat to Springsteen to Steve Earle.....
Permalink Reply by steviedal on August 6, 2011 at 5:47am
I've put "Eugene" on about 3 compilations so you really should seek that one out , its on  an album called The Evening Call.
Permalink Reply by David Haskin on August 6, 2011 at 7:09am
Freak Flag is wonderful because it represents, in my opinion, Brown at his best -- sweet, tender, funny, smart and, at the same time, a bit edgy.  He's had a few albums in recent years I wasn't as fond of (Honey in the Lion's Head, Milk of the Moon), but everything else he's done is equally wonderful.  If I had to choose, though, in addition to Freak Flag, Covenant, Further In, Poet's Game and Slant Six Mind.
Permalink Reply by Darlene Finney on August 6, 2011 at 4:47pm
In The Hills of California is my fave tho they are all good
Permalink Reply by Shyer Makenna Maguire on August 6, 2011 at 5:08pm

I should wait until I"m at home with my music to reply; although I've been listening to Greg Brown for 20 years, probably own all of his recordings, I've never been good at which album contains which song etc.

Bo Ramsey is amazing and if you like a little edgy I'd recommend "Slant Six Mind" there are many great tunes on that one.   My favorite tune  and I can't even think of the title or album name, but check out this lyric "The Spring wind blew my list of things to do away"

More later, gotta go

 

Permalink Reply by Mary Margaret on August 6, 2011 at 6:10pm

Hi Jack-It's makes me feel happy to find other Greg Brown listeners. I live in Iowa close to where he's lived and performed zillions of times. I noticed his voice on Freak Flag sounds a lot deeper or somehow a little changed but I always enjoy the sound of his singing and storytelling. probably always will. Here are just a few highlights:

-ONE NIGHT  the album (1983) is the first one I heard the original "Flat Stuff" and "Heart of the Country" .(five stars each *****)

DOWN IN THERE the album (1990) features the 5 stars ***** "If I Had Known" and  "Worrisome Years".

DREAM CAFE the album (1992)*****"Spring Wind"  "Laughing River"  "Sleeper"

 POET GAME the album(1994)***** "the Poet Game"  "Driftless"   "Here in the Going, Going Gone"

FRIEND of MINE the album(1993) with Bill Morrissey-***** all songs are great covers made their own

FURTHER IN the album (1996) *****" Hey, Baby Hey"  "Further In"

COVENANT the album (2000) ***** all songs

MILK of THE MOON the album (2002)*****  Milk of The Moon"  "Telling Stories"  "Never So Far"

"Telling Stories"  "Oh You"

THE ESSENTIAL RECORDINGS (from1980-1996)the album ***** "Ella Mae"  "Driftless"

The EVENING CALL the album (2006)***** "Skinny Days"   "Whipporwill"   "Eugene" 

www.gregbrown.org/

 This website is the most comprehensive list of lyrics-songs-articles-etc and a great discussion group of loyal fans who share copies of live shows and compilations (with Greg's Blessings), I once had a CD compilation of live performances from different concerts- Greg singing covers of others including lots of Bob Dylan --HIGHLY RECOMMENDED-  Bo Ramsey and friends-family-contributors /talented folks . Freak Flag falls in the most recent -reflecting the times- I just realised  this lists a 30 year span of just some of his music! He must be getting older-I must be getting older too! 

"And, oh, if I had known-- I'd do it all over again

Some things just get better and better and better than they've already been"

lyrics from his great song "If I Had Known"

H

appy Days-

Mary

 

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Mary Margaret on August 6, 2011 at 6:21pm

already been "  are the  last two words of the song got left off somehow.

 Imagine my delight when I heard this song -Greg singing about the two childhood friends adventures wearing their P.F. fliers- Never before and never since have I heard the mention of those very special sneakers which were made with a patented insert that gave the person wearing them the ability to fly!! As a child I secretly wished for a pair of PF fliers-I Believed in P.F. fliers-but I knew better than to ask. :-)

Permalink Reply by TenLayers on August 6, 2011 at 7:50pm
I had PF Fliers and I believed, truly believed, they made me run faster and jump higher.  It was magic.
Permalink Reply by Mary Margaret on August 8, 2011 at 10:10am
@Ten Layers You Have Made My Day! Thank you for your comment. I Do Believe....I Do Believe
Permalink Reply by Jack on August 7, 2011 at 6:27pm

Thanks, everyone.  Am going to order a few of Greg's records off this list, also a Bo Ramsey disc as well.  I am really enjoying Freak Flag.  I do see where his voice is an acquired taste for some, but I generally prefer those imperfect lived in voices and his suits his songs and vice versa.  A week or so with Freak Flag and it already feels like a favorite old pair of jeans.   Still amused that it too me this long to find his music but so it goes.

 

How great is it to be able to ask a question like this and get such informed answers! 

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Created by No Depression Feb 17, 2009 at 9:06pm. Last updated by No Depression Apr 9.