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Brian Gladstone: "Psychedelic Pholk Psongs" |
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Independent Release
Where does one begin to describe Brian Gladstone? The man is such an anomaly on the side of modern music; a self-propelled master of folk, a throwback to days when music was simpler, yet somehow more touching. The Toronto-based singer-songwriter is an early Bob Dylan, a guitar wizard on par with Jesse Cook, a lyricist who can evoke a plethora of emotions with a single song.
Gladstone has matured a lot as a performer since his 1999 independent debut, Back to the Dirt, an effective first effort but a recording that lacked the polished feel of his latest release, Psychedelic Pholk Psongs. A large offering of 19 songs in a day when many artists struggle to produce even ten quality pieces, Pholk Psongs is quite simply the perfect independent folk release.
Despite the lack of a label pushing Gladstone along, he has a far greater force at work: an incomparable work ethic (music is only his passion, not his career) and an insatiable creative spirit that gives birth to song after song of heartfelt appeal.
The songs hop back and forth between up-tempo and the introspective. The topics are diverse; the lyrics provoking yet humble ("I'm fat and my head is square / I got dimples on my pimples");
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Brian Gladstone @ CanEHdian:
the melody is sometimes delicate ("Orange Juice Song"), and sometimes jovial ("Asphalt Cowboy").
Part of the power behind this recording is the talent that Gladstone surrounds himself with. Daisy DeBolt, Tony Quarrington, Maureen Brown and master flutist Ron Korb all pitch in, but perhaps none as effectively as his younger sister Bonnie's backing vocals. Together, Bonnie and Brian form a vocal combination that's both haunting and uplifting.
Psychedelic Pholk Psongs is ultimately one of the better folk recordings available by any artist, anywhere. Although most likely not available in your local record store, it's a recording worth hunting out, and a recording that will only further Gladstone's reputation as an emerging force worth discovering.
By Dave Brosha, CanEHdian.com
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