Customer Reviews

Semi-Crazy

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In a country scene where we are deluged with people rewriting '70s Fleetwood Mac songs and singing them with phony country accents over backdrops created by studio musicians and ProTools, this guy stands out from the dull Nashville Garth/Shania clones and shames them all with his down-home songwriting and fiendish guitar playing. I docked this one star for the fact that it's too damn short; 35 minutes of this guy is definitely NOT enough. Junior is a walking encyclopedia of 50s and early 60s country and rock styles, but the amazing thing is that he manages to invest them all with his own wryly humorous twist. Even on the depressing ballads, like "I Want To Hear It From You," and "Parole Board," he manages to maintain a sincerity that carries these songs through, where other artists would simply sound maudlin and contrived.

The insanely stellar guitar work can't go without mention. He's like Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant all in one body, and is probably one of the wittiest guitar players I've ever heard. The things he does with the lap steel (NOT TABLETOP STEEL, thanks very much) neck on his dual-neck monstrosity are worth your attention alone. Never mind the lightning quick regular guitar leads and fills, which leave a lot of what passes for guitar playing these days in the dust.

To sum up, if you like REAL country music, Junior Brown is your man. If you are sick of homogenized, synthesized, syrupy phony country created by record companies to sell units to overweight sleepy yuppies, Junior Brown is the perfect antidote.

I saw Junior play at Bumbershoot festival this week, expecting a blues show. Luckily I got right up front, against the crowd barriers and I ended up hearing a helluva a show. Immediately I went and bought Semi Crazy from the music booth next to the stage (and got it signed). I was expecting more guitar--because with two or three of the guitar solos found on "I Hung It Up" on *every* of his live songs, it was hard not to. Less guitar on this one, but an excellent album nonetheless.

Ignore the listener from Massachusettes. "Venim Wearin' Denim" has probably the best lyrics on the whole album. I dare you to find wryer words on any song. (Allusions to snakes throughout: "She'll tell you lies with beady eyes / On a big, long fork-ed tongue. If you give that gal a diamond ring, / you'll get a diamondback. / She just denim wearin' venim, boy, she's always making tracks."

His baritone voice is wonderful to listen to and the guitar is amazing. Don't let the term "country" turn you off. I'm not a country fan at all and was expecting Junior to be a bluesman. My musical interests are Dylan, the Dead, Santana, Waits, etc.... This is a wonderful surprise that COUNTRY can sound GOOD.

This album is reccommended, but if you are aiming for more guitar, get "Guit With It." (It's next on MY list.)

If you like 60's instrumental "Surf Music", then purchase this CD just for track #10, the Surf medly. I first heard this rendition on XM satellite radio and immediately went to the display screen to see who it was. I immediately purchased this CD, even though I am not a "country/western" music fan.

Great recording with excellent steel guitar playing!

Junior Brown is about as unique to Country as his guit-steel guitar and trademarked rolled up cowboy hat. With his deep, baritone voice and tongue-in-cheek songwriting makes this guitar virtuoso worth checking out. As a guitar player, this guy is amazing, mixing his twangy Telecaster style grooves and solos with some nasty slide playing. You have to see him live just to understand this man's dexterity.

This understated guitar great's talent can be heard on the guit-solo in the middle of "I Hung It Up". The thunking sound you hear at the end of the song is your jaw hitting the table. He starts the album off with "Gotta Get Up Every Morning" a humorous look at a partying girl friend that rolls in from clubbing just as he's getting up to go to work. He continues this parody cautious look at women with "Venom Wearin' Denim". He sings with Red Simpson on the title track, a true truck-driving song with some fancy guitar work. You can't have a Country singer without a ballad, and Brown has a couple. He croons on "I Want to Hear It From You", and the nearly depressing "Parole Board". Brown just isn't Country though. He likes surf too, as he shows with "Surf Medley", the classic compilation of "Pipe Line," "Walk Don't Run" and "Secret Agent Man".

To put it simply, Brown is amazing. He's definitely one to look at if you are into Country or are just a guitar loving fool. The man is amazing with his axe. His music is fun and enjoyable as well. The only complaint I have about this album is that it is very short, clocking in just over half an hour.

If you like a simple, unadulterated country sound WITHOUT 15 layers of computerized instruments, this is your artist. I'm not even a big country fan but Junior has won me over because he's done a great job on lyrics and is a master guitar player. The sounds he produces from that wierd cobo instrument you see in the cover photos are just amazing. He is a precision player and likes to spice up old jingles like the Jonny Rivers song "Secret Agent Man" as an instrumental. Some of his lyrics have me rolling in laughter. I have all of Junior's published CDs and every one is a gem. Junior never disappoints me. Was not successful finding copies in the big chain music stores so best to order here.

Junior Brown is one of the best guitarists alive. He is definitely the best country players. When I first heard "Hung it Up" my jaw dropped to the floor. He is incredible. I have seen him play live at a little bar in Asheville, NC called Be Here Now, and he tore the place down!!! If you think he plays fast on the album, catch a live show! A true musician and vocalist. Did I mention his wife plays guitar too?

If you have had heard some of the raves about Junior
from reviewers, but have never actually heard him, this is
a good Junior Brown tour-de-force. He explores some of the
old genres of country music - The Cheatin' woman, the Truck
Drivin' Song, We-Can't-get-Along, etc., and some other songs
that are just Junior having fun.

The intro guitar solo on "I Hung It up" is remarkable. I
place it with my top ten best recorded guitar solos. This guy
is in the same league as Clapton, the three Kings (Albert,
Freddie, BB), SRV, Albert Collins, Slash, Setzer, etc. {When
was the last time you heard a country guy use feedback and
whammy bar??) Ernest Tubb meets Jimi Hendix? (But it works!)

This album is just plain fun. Track ten is a surf music
medley thrown in just to mess you up about the time you think
you have him figured out. This CD occupies a permanent spot in
my car's CD cassette. Buy this CD. You won't be sorry!

Mr. Brown's guitar playing is exceptional! Outstanding. Love the title tune: Semi Crazy, and Joe the Singing Janitor is a hoot. If you're a fan you'll enjoy the CD.

This was my first Junior Brown album - after being introduced to his pickin and croonin on NPR - And after a few runs through the cd player it has become a favorite "fun" listen for both me and the kids...

If you are as disgusted with "corporate country" as I am, you will love Junior Brown's music. He is traditional and alternative at the same time. Also try Hank III's "Risin' Outlaw".