Customer Reviews

Straight Up Blues

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He sits by himself in the corner. Long hair, gamblers hat, peg leg jeans and fancy boots. Oh yeah, he's got a guitar. And from the first note on that guitar you know he's not a pretender.
At 25, Brian Curran has absorbed the essence of Delta Blues and he's happy to share them with all who will listen. While this CD leaves you able only to imagine his fingers sliding over the strings and dancing over the frets, that really is enough.
"Find me a Place is a real gem. The liner notes describe it as a very personal song - he played it at his Grandfather's funeral. The pulsing bass line combines poignantly with the stinging melody for a sound that is hard to match. What a powerful tribute to what must have been a great man!
The laid back feel of I Believe in Love is another song worth the price of the disk. Again, the bass line will set your toes tapping - if you are not already out slow dancing with the one you love.
For having been "written under the influence of a hangover," Tribute it Bukka provides an exuberant romp on a great guitar riff, as does the "written while messing around with an open C" St Louis Stomp.
Lonesome Town, Southbound and Preachin' Blues all deserve special mention, as do You got to have me and Guitar Rag. Bring me Flowers, Love Bug, Driftin' Blues and Jailhouse Bluesround out this strong performance - there isn't a weak song among them.
All in all, this is an outstanding debut CD; driving one minute, laid back the next - always pleasing to the ear. My only complaint is that it is too short. Just when a song has really set it's hooks in you, it is wrapping up. But that really isn't a problem because the song that follows will be just as good, and by pushing the repeat button on your player the tunes don't have to stop! If you can't find your way to hear Brian live, buy this CD and bring him to you. I've found the best way to listen is softly over a boom box while sitting around a campfire drinking beer with your friends. Just imagine Brian sitting across the fire from you, eyes closed and in his own world, picking, strumming and sliding across the strings of his guitar, gentle vocals reaching up into the trees and beyond. Ahhh, this is the life!

Wow! - Brian Curran is the future of the blues with both feet planted firmly in the traditions of the past. He's still in his 20's but has the technique and ability to sound like he's decades older. His original songs are a wondrful mix of heartfelt lyrics and stellar quitar playing and his blues covers show a respect for the masters of the past with a keen ear for the taste's of today's blues listerners. A great debut CD by someone I'm sure we'll hear more from in the future. Highly recommeded!!

For a real blues treat come to St. Louis and see Brian live at B.B.'s Jazz, Blues and Soups or Broadway Oyster Bar. This is a hard working bluesman who puts it all in his music.

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