Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Simplicity is an underrated virtue. The world today seems to beholden to the extravagant and the possessive, we have lost our way in the meaning of humble and modest, the quality of self-effacement that is endearing and one that holds together a life with a greater degree of satisfaction than the self-prophecy spouting will ever muster in an age of self-recommendation in the ethereal world.
Simplicity, to hold an audience captive without harm, to seek the building blocks of attention without wandering into the realm of arrogance or conceit, that is a truth we should all explore in our life, and one that is held honour bound by Kevin Brown in his latest album, 6 Strings And A Dream.
The very act of being is tied up in how we first encounter our artistic love, in modern society we are bombarded on all sides, all possible avenues, by the fruitful and the insipid, the beige that dons the mask of intrigue and which, if given chance, steals the dream that was hard fought for and instead replaces it with something sinister, a pursuit of constant greed and dishonest malice.
6 Strings And A Dream reflects on that fight between the states of being, one of mischievousness and determined endeavour and comes out with pleasure firmly cupped in its hands and the smile of the Blues being ordained, one that Kevin Brownâs own affection mirrors wonderfully.
Across songs such as Little Grass Shack, Square Peg In A Round Hole, Your Train Will Come, High Blood Pressure Blues and Don’t Tailgate Me, Kevin Brown seeks out a way past the minefield of incredulity of built in pressure and instead adopts once again the beauty of badass assertive minimalism and the structure of his signature Blues offerings.
6 Strings And A Dream encompasses the delight that being true to your soul can bring to other people, a set of personal thoughts laid down without fuss, but with inspiring reason, one that is forever urging the listener to desire less but fulfil more.
Kevin Brown’s 6 Strings And A Dream is out now and available from Doodah Records.
Ian D. Hall