Harpdog Brown

For Love & Money
Dog House Records

Review by Greg Johnson

Harpdog Brown takes us on an enjoyable romp that brings back thoughts of the nostalgic rhythm & blues tracks of the 50s and 60s. There is a lot of musical echoes here from New Orleans, Kansas City, and St Louis, and the album is exceptionally enhanced by the inclusion of horns and rolling piano tracks. Brown captures the mood perfectly with his steady-paced vocals and tasty harp licks that he drops in all the right places.

If you love the music of Fats Waller, Louis Jordan, or Roosevelt Sykes, this disc is right up your alley. Compositions from the likes of Amos Milburn and Wynonie Harris as well as his own originals presented spectacularly. Brown even pulls off sounding a bit like Tom Waits or Louis Armstrong at moments. Quite a departure from the traditional blues Brown has built his career on in the past, and it’s a very welcome addition to his catalog. Pure fun!

Total Time: 54:07

No Eyes for Me / Blue Light Boogie / The Comeback / Reefer Lovin’ Woman / A New Day Is Dawnin’ /  Vicious, Vicious Vodka / I’ll Make It up to You / One Step Forward / Stiff / For Love and Money / Buzzard Luck / Thinkin’ and Drinkin’ / Sasha’s Lullaby