Review: Michael Jerome Browne ‘Gettin’ Together’
By Mike O’Cull
Award-winning American roots songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Michael Jerome Browne unites with friends new and old on his charismatic new album Gettin’ Together.
Gettin’ Together is the result of Browne traveling to and actually getting together with a crew of talented friends new and old that includes Harrison Kennedy, Mary Flower, Eric Bibb, John Sebastian, Colin Linden, J.J. Milteau, and others. The batch of songs that came out of these mobile sessions is highly entertaining and fully alive, existing in Browne’s world of Gospel, Blues, Old-Time, Country, Soul and Cajun influences. “I decided to record some old songs that people might already know, and have fun with it,” said Browne. “Fun was had, and I think we captured it!”
Browne produced the album himself and captured the performances in studios in Ontario, New York, Sweden, Tennessee, and Quebec. The mix was handled by Larry O’Malley and Browne at Audiobec, Canton de Hatley, Québec. Thanks to all this effort, the tracks are lively and natural, surrounding your ears as if you were in the room with the players.
Michael Jerome Browne is a three-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner, a five-time Juno Award Nominee, a Kerrville New Folk Finalist, and was the recipient of the Blues With A Feeling Award at the 2020 Maple Blues Awards. He plays guitar, harmonica, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin, sings, writes songs, and produces other artists. The music he makes helps listeners see, hear, and understand the connections between cultures that created the sound of American music and he plays it with fire and virtuosity. His knowledge is encyclopedic and his enthusiasm will light you up.
Gettin’ Together gets going with the Mississippi John Hurt obscurity “Monday Morning Blues.” It’s a rollicking acoustic duo jam featuring MJB on 12-string and vocals and Harrison Kennedy on harp and vocals. The upbeat feel disguises the song’s origins in the Jim Crow South where, if you worked on a plantation, and decided to leave, you could be put in jail when police picked you up down the line with no visible means of supporting yourself. Browne and Kennedy give it a wonderful treatment that’s pure and true.
Booker White’s early hit “Shake ‘Em On Down” gets a lowdown and soulful rendition by MJB on vocal and tenor guitar, J.J. Milteau on harmonica, and the mighty Eric Bibb on 9-string guitar. The vibe is so thick you could slice it and each player grooves smoothly with the others. It’s a perfect acoustic blues track that delivers what you need.
“Coffee Blues,” another Mississippi John Hurt tune, gets a sweet jug band cover by the acoustic dream team of Browne on lead vocal and guitar, Mary Flower on vocal and guitar, and folk/rock legend John Sebastian on harmonica. It’s a joyful moment that’s easily one of the best selections on the record. Browne’s rolling, fingerpicked rhythm playing creates all the pocket these three need to get this job done and the arrangement doesn’t lack a thing.
Another memorable track, especially for lovers of vintage instruments, is MJB’s solo banjo instrumental “Reverend Strut.” Browne recorded the piece on a six-string banjo formerly owned by fingerstyle giant Rev. Gary Davis. Davis is one of the most crucial acoustic guitarists of the 20th Century and you can feel Browne pulling the soul from the strings of the master. Don’t miss it.
Browne also does fine work with “Six Week Old Blues” by Peetie Wheatstraw, a.k.a. The Devil’s Son-In-Law. Browne reunites with Harrison Kennedy on it for an old-time harp-and-guitar session that moves and grooves. It’s the kind of sound you can listen to for days at a time.
Gettin’ Together is a blast from stem-to-stern for acoustic music lovers and blues fans of all ages. Browne has a magic touch with this material that’ll get you and keep you. We believe a daily shot of these tunes is in order.
Listen to “Coffee Blues” HERE
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