HARPDOG BROWN
FOR LOVE AND MONEY
DOG HOUSE RECORDS
NO EYES FOR ME–BLUE LIGHT BOOGIE–THE COMEBACK–REEFER LOVIN WOMAN–A NEW DAY IS DAWNING–VICIOUS VODKA–I’LL MAKE IT UP TO YOU–ONE STEP FORWARD–STIFF–FOR LOVE AND MONEY–BUZZARD LUCK–THINKIN AND DRINKIN–SASHA’S LULLABY
Harpdog Brown is indeed his real name, and he has teamed up with uber-producer Steve Dawson at the Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, BC, for his latest collection of originals and cool covers, “For Love And Money.” The set veers from Harpdog’s usual guitar-fueled offerings, this one taking on sort of a Rice Miller-era Chess vibe mixed with a strong New Orleans groove, horn section and all!
Harpdog’s huge-toned harp incorporates well with the horns, and there are several highlights. You gotta love the infectious groove of “I’m Stiff in all the wrong places,” with clarinet from William Joseph Abbott. “They did the boogie real slow” is the theme of the jumpin’ jive of “Blue Light Boogie,” and Harpdog’s harp duels with Dave Webb’s keys work on the Wynonie Harris classic, “Buzzard Luck.”
We had two favorites, too. Dave is all over the acoustic piano on the Louis Jordan-inspired drinkin’ song, “Vicious Vodka,” that’s “got me on this corner, but I don’t know where I’m at!” Harpdog’s original, a sweet story of that woman that has a “cool disposition” also has one nasty habit–she’s a “Reefer Lovin’ Woman,” but, in the true spirit of the blues, Harpdog says, “that’s alright with me!”
Harpdog Brown recently discovered he has familial roots in New Orleans, and is truly a “Blues Evangelist,” spreadin’ the gospel of the blues on both sides of the border. Enjoy “For Love And Money” for some great blues with a N’Awlins twist! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.
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