Mel Brown and the HomewreckersHomewreckin' Done Live2001Electro-Fi RecordsElectro-Fi 337

Mel Brown and the Homewreckers - Homewreckin' Done Live - 2001 - Electro-Fi Records - Electro-Fi 337

Written by Tim Holek

At blues festivals across the country, 2001 W.C. Handy Award winner Mel Brown has proven to be the most authentic blues artist on the bill.

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Brown grew up in a family where playing music was as instinctive as breathing the Delta air. He has shared the stage with the greats and has been both Bobby "Blue" Bland's and Albert Collins' regular guitarist. Brown relocated to Kitchener, Ontario for a steady gig in 1989 and has remained there ever since.

Now Electro-Fi has released a completely re-packaged version of his previously issued independent live CD. Recorded in 1998 at Wally's Pub in Guelph, Ontario, this CD was previously only available off the bandstand. Now the whole world can enjoy this Mel Brown and Dave Ellerson-produced 60-minute set that includes nothing but covers and standards. It is a fine example of his simple, down-home, electric blues gigs prior to the Electro-Fi days.

Brown doesn't mesmerize with speed but rather, chooses to hypnotize with a uniquely smooth style featuring sharp, precise note pickin'. This sets him apart from the rest of the crowded universe of blues guitarists. Imagine what you would get if you removed the aggression from Son Seals' performance, and added the grace of Johnnie Bassett.

This is obvious on Woke Up This Morning and The Sky Is Crying. No wonder Guitar Player magazine ranked him fourth on their list of 25 electrifying guitarists you may have missed!

Many listeners will welcome a refreshing, new arrangement of the oft-too covered Hoochie Coochie Man. On this as well as several other tracks, guest David Wiffen is remarkable on saxophone.

Brown is by far a finer guitar player than singer, yet this doesn't discourage him from using his growl-like voice. At times he stretches for the notes and clearly misses them.

Keyboardist extraordinaire, John Lee, spent much of his career with Canada's "Prime Minister of the Blues", Dutch Mason but has now been a permanent Homewrecker for over 10 years. He blazes across the keys throughout the recording proving to be as well trained as Brown. On Rod Piazza's Honeybee, Lee takes over on vocals. His voice is clearer and more rhythmic, and is in sharp contrast with Brown's.

A reggae-sounding introduction is used for Hey Joe where bass player Al Richardson rumbles the floor and makes his presence. Things come to a scorching finale on a song made famous by one of Brown's former employers! Turn On Your Love Light is a foot-stompin', hand-clappin' celebration of organ, bass, guitar and sax.

You have heard these songs countless times but never quite in this manner, thanks to the brilliance of Brown and Lee. This is soul-stirring blues at its finest. It represents the standard for all future live blues recordings.

Copyright 2001. Review by Tim Holek, and previoulsy published by Blues Bytes at: www.bluenight.com/bluesbytes. All rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission. Used with permission.

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