Mel Brown
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- For the English pop singer, see Melanie Brown.
Mel Brown (born October 7, 1939, Jackson, Mississippi[1]) is an American blues guitarist. Best known for his decade-plus stint in support of Bobby "Blue" Bland, Brown channeled elements of soul, funk, and jazz to create one of the most distinctive guitar styles in contemporary blues.[1]
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[edit] Career
Brown received his first guitar at the age of 14 while battling meningitis, spending hours each day studying the music of idols like B. B. King and T-Bone Walker from his sickbed. In late 1960, he toured with The Olympics, followed by a two-year tour of duty with Etta James. By 1963 Brown launched a session career, playing on records by everyone from Bobby Darin to Bill Cosby as well as T-Bone Walker's Funky Town album. His contributions so impressed record producer Bob Thiele that he invited Brown to record his own album: 1967's Chicken Fat, a blues-funk outing pairing Brown with fellow guitarist Herb Ellis. A series of impressive LPs including The Wizard, I'd Rather Suck My Thumb, and Big Foot Country Gal followed in quick succession before Brown joined Bland in 1971, appearing on the singer's California Album two years later.[1]
Brown appeared at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1979. During his stint with Bland, Brown also moonlighted behind John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Roy Brown. Upon resuming his collaboration with Bland, Brown made the decision to temporarily abandon guitar in favor of the piano. He remained with the singer until 1982. Brown resurfaced in 1983 as a member of the house band at the Austin, Texas blues joint Antone's.[1]
In the years to follow, he backed everyone from Buddy Guy to Stevie Ray Vaughan to Clifton Chenier. In 1986, Brown accepted Albert Collins' offer to join his band the Icebreakers, recording Cold Snap before returning to Antone's. In 1989, he resumed his solo career with If It's All Night, It's All Right, released on the club's eponymous record label. In early 1990, Brown relocated to Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. There he formed a new band, the Homewreckers, finally reappearing on wax in 1998 as a guest on Snooky Pryor's Can't Stop Blowin'. Brown's own Neck Bones & Caviar, followed a year later, winning a W.C. Handy Award. With 2000's co-headlined Double Shot!, he and Pryor earned a W.C. Handy nomination for Traditional Blues Album of the Year. The concert disc Homewreckin' Done Live followed a year later.[1]
Brown was nominated for a Juno Award in both 2001 and 2002.
After another lay-off from recording, Brown issued Blues: A Beautiful Thing in early 2006.
On April 3 2008 Mel Brown performed on stage with Buddy Guy in Kitchener Ontario mesmerizing the crowd. Buddy Guy left the Stage to Mel Brown to finish the show to a Standing Ovation.
