Lonnie Donegan, Little Richard Penniman, Lowell George, Muddy Waters, Randy Newman, J.J.Cale, Willie Dixon, just about anything from New Orleans - The Meters, Neville Brothers, Dr. John etc. (its a long list) Ry Cooder and Tony Hancock.
Brian Parrish – like a phoenix from the ashes ? A well worn cliche it may be, but one which has more than a ring of truth here. Anyone following the career of this highly talented musician, songwriter and stage performer, which began in the early sixties, would have searched in vain for signs of (public) artistic activity after 1980 or so.
He seemed to simply vanish. One might have concluded that he, like many of his fellows was creatively dormant, and immersed in the mundane day to day business of so called "normal" life.
Whatever it was that brought him back into the (visible) creative world may remain his own secret, as are the details of what kept him away. In March 2004, following years of absence from the stage, we picked up a new signal from him on our radar.
Significantly perhaps, this new activity came from the very place where, as a young English musician, he had his first over-seas musical experiences and early popularity. Brian Parrish was announced as a guest star for a “Star Club Night“ in Hamburg. Although he did not "play safe" by simply performing the music from the past ( as is the accepted credo for such an event), it was the resounding success of this appearance that seemed to provide the required spark which re-ignited his fire, and sent him once more out into the world.
Upon his return to England he found that his head was soon filling with new songs. He was also infused with the energy and impetus to complete some of the half written tunes that he had been carrying around – and what songs ! Could we call them mainstream ? Whatever they are – heartfelt new ballads, songs deeply rooted in the blues, or infectious rockers, they all reveal the excellent quality of Parrish..s songwriting.
Furthermore, his stage presence has lost none of its magic or energy, a fact which has been well demonstrated on numerous occasions over these last few years.
As he takes the stage with his “One Band“, we see a real professional who has retained all of his skills. The audience is with him from the first note.
Looking over Brians history we discover a man on a long and varied journey who has retained something of the essence from each musical side road he has travelled and somehow incorporated these elements into something that can truly be called “his“ music.
His earliest stagework was as a guitar player for American singer, Gene Vincent, whose seminal recordings with his U.S. Band, the Blue Caps were among the classic tracks which ushered in the Age of Rock n Roll, perhaps the most famous being “Be - Bop – Alula“.
Shortly after this Brian..s band played the Star Club, Hamburg. This was an experience Brian regards as his "Rock Music University". In Hamburg the band, who were billed as The Londoners, became hugely popular, being regular performers on the Star Club stage over the next two years or so.This was 1964.
Still in the rock n roll genre, Brian Parrish..s early recording credits include an album with Jerry Lee Lewis (London Sessions). Later he was to play on side projects by Jon Lord (Deep Purple) and Graeme Edge (Moody Blues) and hits by Medicine Head and others.
Since the time of his first stage and recording work Brian Parrish had begun to develop a parallel career as a songwriter. In 1970 armed with a clutch of self penned songs he formed the duo, Parrish and Gurvitz. He recorded two albums with (Beatles) producer, George Martin, together with partner Paul Gurvitz, with whom he subsequently toured the U.S. with the "P and G" Band. Although a considerable critical success (worldwide press was unanimously more than positive), sales of the first album were slow, and the second album remained unreleased as management mishandling and ineptitude frustrated and disheartened artistes and label alike.
Gurvitz de- camped to play with Ginger Baker (Baker-Gurvitz Army), whilst Brian formed "Badger" with Tony Kaye (Yes) keyboards, David Foster on bass and vocals and Roy Dyke (Ashton Gardner and Dyke) on drums.
The resulting album, “One Live Badger“, recorded in concert at the Rainbow Theatre, London, comprised six songs, four of which were written by Brian.The album charted in the U.S.A.,without the benefit of tour support. It has been re-released as a CD on numerous occasions , and is widely regarded as one of the best examples of 70.s rock music, being powerful without succumbing to the pretention and over-blown pomposity common to much of the music during those pre-punk days. Despite the presence of Tony Kaye, this music was very un -"Yes".
Brians next project was the altogether more funky solo album ,"Love On My Mind". He toured with the Brian Parrish Band for some of what would be his last live performances for several years.He stepped out for a few weeks playing guest guitar with Eric Burdon (Animals), who was then touring the U.K.,and soon after this Brian changed direction.
Concentrating thereafter on writing music, he virtually abandoned his first love, performing. Although he did on rare occasions play a gig with friends, this was to be a protracted absence from live work, albeit one that had not been planned as such. "It just sort of happened that way - life seldom, if ever, turns out as we expect or plan it . This is not necessarily a negative thing – sometimes it..s wonderful!", says Brian.
These days, he is well and truly "back in the saddle", and promises that he will never stop performing again. “As long as I can stand up, and somebody wants to come out and see us, I will be doing this!“, he says.
Despite years spent working as a writer and producer, it is immediately apparent watching the man work on stage, that this is his element, and simply what Brian Parrish was born to do. He is performing both his own songs and his interpretations of his favourite R+B songs. The unit is billed as Brian Parrish and the One Band.
He has a CD, "ENDGAME" currently on release, containing 12 new songs which were recorded in Germany, where he now lives. Brian Parrish is back, like a phoenix from the ashes, and we can expect bigger things of him. The journey continues....
(Many thanks to my long time friend, Jochen Laschinsky for contributing this profile - and for paying me such gracious and generous compliments. Now all I have to do is try to live up to these fine words! BP)
Thanks a lot for the friendship and the lovely words! God bless you, more and more! Kind regards from the Dominican Republic! Georgio 1. CC 13 Please visit also www.georgiofarina.com
Back at ya you big lump of all that's smelly. Love you lots and lots young man.I never stop raving about the black guy that lives in you. When are you here in LA. !
I was just dancing my way to Habana, but wanted to stop and say how great you and your band are. Wait--you are the band. Now, that makes you extra funkalicious! I hope to see you someday...here or there!
awwwww, thank you brian....that was my favorite comment today....:) so glad that you like the music....:) i hope to be in germany touring in october.....at least that is the plan right now...:) you should sign up for the mailing list at rubyjames .com so you know when we are going to be there....:)
i wanted to stop by your page and thank you for being my friend on here....i hope that you have had an amazing week and that you have a great weekend....normally i would ask if you liked the music...but i though i would ask you if you had any special plans for this weekend....
Brian, Thanks for visiting our MySpace site and being our new friend. We hope that all is well in your life and in Bremen. Black Angel released our third album in two years on Earth Day April 22, 2009. It is called "O' San Francisco". We asked Tiffany Lowe, granddaughter of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash (and daughter of country singer, Carlene Carter, and British rocker, Nick Lowe) to sing on the album. The top picture below is of Tiffany in the studio recording with us. The album is dedicated to a close associate of Black Angel who recently died who was a big Johnny Cash fan. We also have former Johnny Cash drummer, Danny Darling, playing on the album. We hope to be touring soon and we may be playing shows with former Black Angel singer, Audrey (Mrs. Ike) Turner. The bottom picture is of Black Angel playing at The Roxy in Los Angeles a few years ago with (left to right): Tomeka Haywood; me; Audrey Turner; and Ronnie Turner (son of Ike and Tina Turner on bass). Please check us out when we come to your town.
J. C. Martin Black Angel Santa Barbara, California
Brian, Thanks for your kind words. I was lucky enough to see Ike and Tina together back in the day......What an act. It was a trip to later work with Ronnie Turner, Ike and Tina's son, and Audrey Turner, Ike's last wife. Ronnie is a great bass player and very laid back. Audrey is a singer very much in the vein of Tina.....super talented and sexy. I know that I am very lucky to work with some of the musicians that I work with. Best of luck with your music.
Brian, liking what you're doing as well. As former Autmatic Man, like Jerome, ours is a long term bond. I'm staying out in Lesum, just outside Bremen at my wife's brothers house, mein Deutche home when I come over. Hope to see you next week. Peace, Doni.
Thanks for the friendship my friend. Thanks for the nice email too. I love your tunes!!! Keep up the great work my new friend and keep writing those cool songs with all of that talent that God gave you!!!!
