British Columbia’s
husky-voiced, award-winning bluesman Harpdog Brown’s album, For Love & Money, was produced by JUNO Award
winner Steve Dawson. The triple Maple Blues Award winner takes Chicago blues
down to New Orleans for a unique and vibrant sound, tinted with shades of Louis
Jordan, Sonny Boy Williamson, Louis Armstrong, and the greats of Chess and Sun
Records.
Recorded at The
Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, For
Love & Money is a striking showcase of Brown’s talent and
versatility as a singer and harmonica player throughout the 13 tracks. A mix of
originals and well-crafted covers, Brown takes the listener on an aural road
trip through his interpretations of the historical sounds of classic American
blues and jazz, with a vintage sound, new classics, modern material and a
killer new band.
When asked about
Harpdog’s new material, producer Steve Dawson remarked, “This is totally unique
material. Where he’s drawing from is this era of ‘40s and ‘50s jump blues mixed
with some Chicago meets NOLA and the harp stuff is reminiscent of ‘50s Sonny
Boy-era blues…you can’t really put your finger on it. And then the horn aspect
of it is totally unique. I can’t really think of another band to compare that
to. For Love & Money is
less guitar driven than Brown’s previous releases, and is heavier on piano and
horns, keeping with the NOLA vibe.”
A larger than life character, Harpdog Brown (his legal name)
recently discovered that he has familial New Orleans roots and, feels deeply
connected to the New Orleans blues sound and the historical importance of the
music. He has been dubbed a “Blues Evangelist” – taking his messages and songs
to audiences across North America and beyond for nearly four decades. “I speak
the blues like it’s the truth, and it is,” he was recently quoted. “I do feel
like I’m a servant of the people. A missionary if you will. Music can heal
people if they pay attention to the messages in these songs.”
Joining Brown on the album is a varied cast of some of the finest
musicians on the circuit today. The new direction of the band is an inspiring
one with a new, younger generation of musicians joining in on the journey with
William Joseph Abbott on the clarinet and alto sax and Skye Lambourne on
trombone. The seasoned musicians on the album include Dave Webb on piano
& Hammond B3, Robert (Bob) Vail Grant on drums, Jerry Cook on baritone and
tenor sax, Jeremy Holmes on bass, and special guest Steve Dawson on guitars.
As Harpdog states,
“This is one damn fine album, depicting where I am in my life and musical
career. The title, For Love & Money, sums
it all up well. After all, that’s what it’s all about. And in that order. We
should all know that money is useless without love.”