High on energy, the Graham Brown Band are seasoned musicians able to obtain the maximum out of their respective instruments of drums (Mark Gruft), bass guitar (John Werner), piano, organ, guitar, vocals (Rob Blackburn) and Brown (lead vocals, guitars, harmonica). Glasgow-born, Brown has lived in Vancouver since 1984, and a Canadian resident ever since his father moved there while he was still a child. Graham has a strong pedigree of bands behind him prior to setting up the Graham Brown Band. A founder member of Jr. Gone Wild (Edmonton, 1984), Brilliant Orange and Happy Man he is well versed in fusing a good rock ‘n’roll band together. His current act, the GBB though essentially roots rock they do occasionally show hints of west coast rock acts of the 1970s…
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…(Buffalo Springfield) without becoming too engulfed in the feel. A band usually at their best when they tough it a bit. As in the rock fuelled “Waiting” and blues-rock gem “Honey Road”, its chugging rhythm, keyboards and swirling organ are powerful and exceptionally good listening, while with ragtime-esque opening “Trestle Track” is an excellent partner. The music and potential of the GBB is big!
It isn’t all pulsating, go for broke either, for Brown and the band also deliver, piano aided heartfelt ballad “When Your heart Aches”, and it works well. Others of note as they juggle styles and songs of varied emotional content include chugging track “Trouble” (hints of fellow Canadian Corb Lund and his band) before pinning their heart and soul to the mast on “Justice Done”. And, just when it looks like we’ve heard their best work, up pops wistful ballad “Lie To Me”, as more soul searching takes place. Brown’s ability to become lost in the lyrics as he shapes the mood is another aspect of their work that sets them a little higher up the ladder than first thought. He also has the insight that you don’t need to always necessarily burn up the tracks for a song to make a lasting impression.