John Fahey, Lowell George, Dereck Trucks, Sister Rossetta Tharpe, JJ Cale, Joaquin Murphey, Ry Cooder, Jackson Brown, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Robert Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Leadbelly, Lightnin Hopkins, Jimmy Vaughan, The Browns, Link Ray, Bruce Cockburn, Ellen Mcillwain, Big Joe Williams, Bonnie Rait, Jerry Bryd, Don Helms, Duanne Allman
Sounds Like
Alvin Hart, Van Morrison, Jackson Brown, Ry Cooder, Kelly Joe Phelps.
This acount was kindly prepared by Michael Prince of Blues in Britain
Taught by Son House, discovered by Joe Boyd, acclaimed by Mark Knopfler
Kevin Brown is a highly respected professional recording artist, writer and performer of over 30 years standing. Born in Lancashire (1950) the son of a signwriter and schoolteacher Kevin has been inspired from an early age by the blues and its related genres.
He is heralded by both the public and other artists as a leading light in the world of slide guitar and roots music.
With eight solo albums to his credit and countless international live performances from the Main stage at Glastonbury to the many beer joints of Texas where he once lived, Kevin has managed to keep a fresh approach to his craft whilst paying his respect to the blues masters of the past.
In 1968 Kevin was introduced to Son House and spent some time learning from the great bluesman himself, to have been taught by the same man who taught Robert Johnson was a blessing few of us can lay claim too.
With further gentle encouragement from Sam Mitchell and Jo Anne Kelly, Kevin developed his writing skills whilst soaking up all he could to help him develop his own personal style that has helped carve his name in the UK blues and folk scene.
After following a brief teaching position he embarked upon a full time career in music after moving to Bath in 1978.
His first album Road Dreams, recorded on 4 track, was picked up by Joe Boyd at Hannibal records. The release of his follow up ‘Rust’ finally caught the attention of the majors and Kevin signed to Chrysalis delivering Time Marches On in 1994 only to find the companies new owners EMI had little interest in the roots and blues genre. Taxim finally released the album to wide acclaim.
Meanwhile Kevin, determined to keep his own direction firmly focused took the brave step of starting his own label, Doodah Records.
His first release on the label ‘Sunny Side Up' displayed his compositional skills and highlighted his beautiful slide playing and arranging within 12 instrumental pieces.
'Mojave Dust' his first solo acoustic album followed and blew the UK folk and blues scene apart. This naked straight to stereo approach revealed Kevins skill as a writer and player in all its glory.
‘Kora Blues’ his collaboration with master Kora player Moussa Kouyate further illustrated just why he is so highly regarded amongst his steady growing legion of fans.
And now his latest release ‘Tin Church’ picks up where 'Mojave Dust' left off. This latest batch of recordings reveal 11 original songs once more touching upon the lives of those who live and survive around us, says Kevin Brown
Tramps, mercenary’s, gamblers and preachers have all provided inspiration for the songs found therein. "There are parts of them in all of us, they just take a little time to find" KevinBrown
Once again his slide playing, writing and singing reaches and surpasses the benchmark set by 'Mojave Dust'
Hello Monsieur Kevin. It seems we will be playing at the same gig at the Folk House, Bristol, on 1st March, so I look forward to meeting up with you once again.
I would be most honoured if you would permit me to play alongside you for a couple of numbers while you are doing your set. Maybe some of those old "Kora Blues".
Cool slide show. You appear to be becoming a wizz on the old PC :o) Sorry taken a while to get back I am going away this week til the end of the month. Gig scene here is shocking lately but on wards and up mate. Wishing you and your a happy New year.
Hello Kevin, Happy New Year and all that, look forward to hearing you live sometime this year...lovely acoustic sound and have lots of musical questions to ask!All the best now Jonny Spencer
Hi Kevin Just listening again to Jack of Diamonds. Wonderful stuff. Must take time to catch you on the live circuit some place. Thinking of going around the clubs again if Iget some practice in! Good Luck.
Hiya Kevin, so sorry to have missed you at the United Reform Church on 17th - I got held up with important stuff then it just got too late to come. I did try to text you, but I was getting errors, so I don't know whether you got them. Hope everything is going really well for you, have a lovely Christmas,
It was really nice to meet you at the Cheltenham Show on Saturday. Thanks for your feedback on my Laptop (weissenborn thingy) and the slide tips. I love your playing and must catch you at a gig soon.
Hi Kevin, Thanks for finding me. Very pleased to make your acquaintence. Your story is fascinating. Would love to chat sometime. I'll be in Bath for a gig at Porters on Sept 20th if you fancy coming down. Best wishes, Chris.
Hi Kevin, hope all well. Thanks so much for coming up and playing, an honour to have played next to you. Enjoying the album a lots, the lap steel sounds great too! Back in Rio now and relaxing before getting back on the road. Stay in touch mate, All the best, Alamo.