Charles Brown

Charles Mose Brown

b. September 13th, 1922 in Texas City (Texas)

d. January 21st, 1999 in Oakland (California)

CHRONOLOGICAL 1944 - 1945

Classics

1944 - September 1945

CHRONOLOGICAL 1946

Classics

February - September 1946

CHRONOLOGICAL 1946 - 1947

Classics

Late 1946 - Late 1947

CHRONOLOGICAL 1947 - 1948

Classics

1947

CHRONOLOGICAL 1948 - 1949

Classics

November 1948 - March 1949

CHRONOLOGICAL 1949 - 1951

Classics

November 1949 - February 1951

Né au Texas, sa mère meurt alors qu'il n'est encore qu'un bébé. Il est donc élevé par ses grand-parents (sa grand-mère l'initie au piano). Charles se passionne très vite pour la musique et particulièrement le piano. Il reçoit d'ailleurs une formation classique à cet instrument. Après ses études, il exerce le métier de professeur de chimie puis d'électricien. En 1943, il s'installe à Berkeley puis Los Angeles et se lance dans une carrière musicale. Dans un style proche de Nat King Cole, Charles Brown s'associe avec Eddie Williams et Johnny Moore pour former les Johnny Moore's Three Blazers. Son style élégant et jazzy souvent sur tempos lents obtient rapidement un grand succès auprès de la communauté noire. Sa voix douce et mélancolique, son jeu de piano délicat plaisent au public. Il devient un des meilleurs représentants de ce que l'on appelait à l'époque les Sepia Sinatras (les crooners noirs). Pour les labels Exclusive et Aladdin, il livre une série de pépites West Coast : "Lost in the night", "C.O.D", "Tonight I'm alone", "Hard tack", "Pasadena", "Blazer's boogie", "Groovy" et "Drifting blues" (un de ses grands succès avec Johnny Otis à la batterie). Charles Brown quitte les Three Blazers en 1948 et forme son propre groupe avec Eddie Williams et Charles "Chuck" Norris (remplacé plus tard par Herman "Tiny" Mitchell). Il obtient encore quelques hits comme "Get yourself another fool", "Trouble blues" et "Black night". Mais, après 1951-52, le succès s'estompe et sa notoriété baisse considérablement. Cette première oeuvre eut une influence considérable sur de nombreux artistes comme Ray Charles, Amos Milburn, Floyd Dixon.

Born in Texas, his mother died while he was still a baby. He is raised by his grandparents (his grandmother introduces him to the piano). Charles is passionate very quickly for music and especially the piano. He receives a classical training on this instrument. After graduation, he worked as a chemistry teacher and then as an electrician. In 1943, he moved to Berkeley then to Los Angeles and embarked on a musical career. In a style close to Nat King Cole, Charles Brown teamed up with Eddie Williams and Johnny Moore to form the Johnny Moore's Three Blazers. His elegant and jazzy style often on slow tempos quickly gets a great success within the black community. His soft and melancholic voice, his delicate piano playing, please the audience. He became one of the best representatives of what was then called the Sepia Sinatras (black crooners). For the Exclusive and Aladdin labels, he delivers a series of West Coast nuggets : "Lost in the night", "COD", "Tonight I'm alone", "Hard tack", "Pasadena", "Blazer's boogie", "Groovy" and "Drifting blues" (one of his big hits with Johnny Otis on drums). Charles Brown left the Three Blazers in 1948 and formed his own band with Eddie Williams and Charles "Chuck" Norris (later replaced by Herman "Tiny" Mitchell). He still gets some hits like "Get yourself another fool", "Trouble blues" and "Black night". But after 1951-52, the success fades and his notoriety drops considerably. This first work had a considerable influence on many artists like Ray Charles, Amos Milburn, Floyd Dixon.

DRIFTING BLUES

Score

Pathe-Marconi

DRIFTING BLUES

Soul Jam

September 1952 - May 1955

Assemblage de plusieurs séances enregistrées dans les années 50 pour le label Aladdin (dirigé par Leo & Eddie Mesner). Charles joue aux côtés de musiciens notables comme Plas Johnson, Ernie Freeman, Clifford Solomon. Quelques titres intéressants émergent de ce recueil comme "Please don't drive me away", "By the bend of the river", "My heart is mended", "Cryin' and driftin' blues". Le LP original fut édité par Score (une marque appartenant à Aladdin).

Compilation of several sessions recorded in the 50's for the Aladdin label (managed by Leo & Eddie Mesner). Charles plays alongside notable musicians like Plas Johnson, Clifford Solomon, Ernie Freeman. Some interesting titles emerge from this collection as "Please don't drive me away", "By the bend of the river", "My heart is mended", "Cryin' and driftin' blues". The original LP was issued by Score (an imprint owned by Aladdin).

BLUE OVER YOU

Westside

April 1959 - 1960

SING MY BLUES TONIGHT

Westside

1959 - 1960

Dans ce CD, on trouve les morceaux que Charles Brown enregistra pour Ace, le label de Johnny Vincent, en 1959-60 à la Nouvelle Orléans. Parmi ces titres - la plupart inédits - on trouve de remarquables réussites comme "Black night", "Trouble blues" et "Driftin' blues". On peut mentionner également deux duos avec Amos Milburn ("Educated fool", "I wanna go home"). Pendant ces séances, Charles est accompagné d'excellents musiciens comme Mac Rebennack, Frank Fields, Lee Allen, "Red" Tyler, Justin Adams.

In this CD, we find the tracks that Charles Brown recorded for Ace, the Johnny Vincent's label, in 1959-60 in New Orleans. Of these titles - most previously unissued - there are remarkable achievements like "Black night", "Trouble blues" and "Driftin' blues". We can also mention two duets with Amos Milburn ("Educated fool", "I wanna go home"). During these sessions, Charles is accompanied by excellent musicians like Mac Rebennack, Frank Fields, Lee Allen, "Red" Tyler, Justin Adams.

THE GREAT CHARLES BROWN THAT WILL GRIP YOUR HEART

King

January 1961 - August 1963

CHARLES BROWN SINGS CHRISTMAS SONGS

King

July - August 1961

Disque de Noël réalisé pour le label King par Charles Brown. Le titre "Please come home for Christmas" obtint un franc succès à l'époque. Le programme semble aujourd'hui bien suranné, uniquement constitué de ballades sucrées et de tempos uniformément lents.

Christmas record made for the King label by Charles Brown. The title "Please come home for Christmas" was a great success at the time. The program seems today well quaint, consisting only of sweet ballads and uniformly slow tempos.

BOSS OF THE BLUES

Mainstream

DRIFTIN' BLUES

Mainstream

SINCE I FELL FOR YOU

Garland

1963

BALLADS MY WAY

Mainstream

1964

LEGEND

Bluesway

MCA

September 1969

Quand il grave ce disque, Charles Brown est alors au creux de la vague et n'a plus rien enregistré depuis plusieurs années. Produit par Ed Michel, cet album présente Brown accompagné du saxophoniste "Red" Holloway et d'un beau duo de guitaristes (Earl Hooker et Mel Brown). Dans son style Jazz-Blues relaché, il propose notamment "Drifting blues", "New merry Christmas blues", "Black night" et un sympathique instrumental "The combination".

When he cuts this record, Charles Brown is then a little forgotten and has not recorded anything for several years. Produced by Ed Michel, this album presents Brown accompanied by saxophonist "Red" Holloway and a beautiful guitar duet (Earl Hooker and Mel Brown). In his relaxed Jazz-Blues style, he proposes "Drifting blues", "New merry Christmas blues", "Black night" and a nice instrumental "The combination".

BLUES 'N BROWN

Jewel

1970

Sous la supervision de Stan Lewis et Maxwell Davis, Charles Brown grave une poignée de morceaux pour le label Jewel. Parmi ceux-ci, on remarque "For you" (en duo avec Floyd Dixon), une reprise dansante de "I don't know", "Trouble blues", "Changeable woman blues". Au final, un de ses albums les plus blues qui mériterait d'être réévalué. Malheureusement, on ne connait pas les musiciens qui jouèrent lors de ces séances.

Under the supervision of Stan Lewis and Maxwell Davis, Charles Brown records a handful of pieces for the Jewel label. Among them, we notice "For you" (duet with Floyd Dixon), a dancing cover of "I don't know", "Trouble blues", "Changeable woman blues". In the end, one of his most blues albums that deserves to be reevaluated. Unfortunately, we do not know the musicians who played during these sessions.

GREAT RHYTHM & BLUES OLDIES vol.2

Blues Spectrum

Bulldog

1974

Ce disque a été enregistré grâce à Johnny Otis sur son label Blues Spectrum alors que Charles Brown peine à trouver des engagements. Les principaux musiciens - outre Brown - sont en fait Johnny Otis et son fils Shuggie (plutôt habile à la guitare). On trouve des versions correctes de "Trouble blues", "Rockin' blues", "Black night" et "I want a girl" (seul titre sur tempo rapide).

This album was recorded thanks to Johnny Otis on his Blues Spectrum label while Charles Brown is struggling to find engagements. The main musicians - besides Brown - are actually Johnny Otis and his son Shuggie (rather skilled on guitar). There are decent versions of "Trouble blues", "Rockin' blues", "Black night" and "I want a girl" (only title on a fast tempo).

SAN FRANCISCO BLUES FESTIVAL

Jefferson

August 1976

Apparition de Charles Brown sur la scène du célèbre festival organisé par Tom Mazzolini avec de belles versions de "Driftin' blues" et "Merry Christmas baby".

Appearance of Charles Brown on the stage of the famous festival organized by Tom Mazzolini with beautiful version of "Driftin' blues" and "Merry Christmas baby".

MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY

Big Town

1977

MUSIC MAESTRO PLEASE

Big Town

February 1978

Second LP pour Big Town dans son style ballades West Coast. Un programme ennuyeux et peu original malgré quelques rares moments différents ("Lovin' you the way I do").

Second LP for Big Town in his West Coast ballads style. A boring and unoriginal program despite a few rare different moments ("Lovin' you the way I do").

I'M GONNA PUSH ON

Stockholm

April 1979

LIVE

Charly

Late 70's - early 80's

On ne sait ni où ni quand ni avec qui ce concert eut lieu. La qualité sonore est correcte. La set-list est orientée Jazz - West Coast Blues et s'avère très conventionnelle mais comporte quelques bons moments ("Saving my love for you", "Seven long days", "Quicksand").

We do not know where or when or with whom this concert took place. The sound quality is correct. The set-list is oriented Jazz - West Coast Blues and is very conventional but has some good moments ("Saving my love for you", "Seven long days", "Quicksand").

ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD

Blue Side

Alligator

August 1986

Oublié depuis plusieurs années, cet album symbolise le retour aux affaires de Charles Brown. D'abord publié sur le label Blue Side et produit par Barry Feldman, le disque obtint un succès notable et fut réédité chez Alligator pour une meilleure diffusion. Supporté par de bons musiciens de jazz (dont le saxophoniste Harold Ousley), Charles propose de douces versions de "I cried last night", "I stepped in quicksand", "Route 66", "My heart is mended".

Forgotten for several years, this album symbolizes the return to business of Charles Brown. First issued on the Blue Side label and produced by Barry Feldman, the record was a notable success and was reissued by Alligator for better distribution. Supported by good jazz musicians (including saxophonist Harold Ousley), Charles offers sweet versions of "I cried last night", "I stepped in quicksand", "Route 66", "My heart is mended".

THE ALLIGATOR RECORDS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

Alligator

August 1986

Charles Brown chante "Boogie woogie Santa Claus" dans cette anthologie de Noël.

Charles Brown sings "Boogie woogie Santa Claus" in this Christmas anthology.

UP AND JUMPIN'

Rockinitis

1988

ALL MY LIFE

Bullseye

May 1990

Grâce au guitariste Danny Caron, Charles Brown trouve l'opportunité d'enregistrer un nouvel album pour Bullseye (un label appartenant à Rounder). Autour de lui, il y a Dr John, Ruth Brown et quelques superbes jazzmen (son ami Clifford Solomon, Earl May, Keith Copeland). Danny Caron éclabousse de son talent et de son feeling à la guitare ce remarquable disque et la production de Ron Levy met parfaitement en valeur le son jazzy - West Coast de Brown. De nombreuses perles sont contenues dans le programme : "Early in the morning", "Bad bad whiskey", "A virus called the blues", "Joyce's boogie", "Trouble blues" et "Tell me who".

Thanks to guitarist Danny Caron, Charles Brown finds the opportunity to record a new album for Bullseye (a label belonging to Rounder). Around him, there is Dr. John, Ruth Brown and some great jazz musicians (Clifford Solomon, Earl May, Keith Copeland). Danny Caron splashes his talent and his feeling on guitar on this remarkable record and the production of Ron Levy perfectly highlights the jazzy - West Coast sound of Brown. Many gems are contained in the program : "Early in the morning", "Bad bad whiskey", "A virus called the blues", "Joyce's boogie", "Trouble blues" and "Tell me who".

KEYS TO THE CRESCENT CITY

Rounder

May 1990

A LIFE IN THE BLUES

Rounder

May 1990

THE NEW YORK ROCK AND SOUL REVUE : LIVE AT THE BEACON

Giant

March 1991

Concert donné au Beacon Theatre de New York. Charles Brown y joue son "Driftin' blues".

Concert given at the Beacon Theater in New York. Charles Brown plays his "Driftin' blues".

LOST & FOUND

32 Jazz

June 1991

BLUES AND OTHER LOVE SONGS

Muse

32 Jazz

January 1992

SOMEONE TO LOVE

Bullseye

1992

IN A GRAND STYLE

Bullseye

1992

A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS vol.2

A&M

1992

Un beau titre pour Noël ("Merry Christmas baby") que Charles Brown chante en duo avec Bonnie Raitt.

A beautiful title for Christmas ("Merry Christmas baby") that Charles Brown sings in duet with Bonnie Raitt.

BLUES & RHYTHM REVUE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS vol.1

Big Bear

July 1993

Sur cet album du groupe King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys, Charles chante deux morceaux : "Blues for my baby" et "Fools paradise".

On this King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys album, Charles sings two songs : "Blues for my baby" and "Fools paradise".

GOOD HANDS

Danny Caron Music

October 1993

Charles Brown chante deux titres Jazz sur cet album solo de son guitariste Danny Caron.

Charles Brown sings two Jazz tracks on this solo album by his guitarist Danny Caron.

JUST A LUCKY SO AND SO

Bullseye

1993

Pour cette troisième livraison chez Bullseye, la production est confiée à Ron Levy et les arrangements à Wardell Quezergue. La voix douce de Charles Brown est parfaitement mise en valeur sur ces pistes. On trouve une poignée de franches réussites telles que "Just a lucky so and so", "Black night", "Driftin' blues" ou "I stepped in quicksand". Par contre, le reste du programme apparait beaucoup plus inégale (notamment par l'ajout d'insipides arrangements de cordes).

For this third delivery for Bullseye, production is entrusted to Ron Levy and arrangements to Wardell Quezergue. The soft voice of Charles Brown is perfectly highlighted on these tracks. There are a handful of frank achievements such as "Just a lucky so and so", "Black night", "Driftin' blues" or "I stepped in quicksand". However, the rest of the program appears much more uneven (including the addition of heavy string arrangements).

COOL CHRISTMAS BLUES

Bullseye

1993

THESE BLUES

Verve

January 1994

Après une longue et fructueuse collaboration avec Bullseye, Charles Brown signe chez Verve. Accompagné de son groupe régulier (Clifford Solomon, Danny Caron, Ruth Davies, Gaylord Birch) et produit par John Snyder, il joue son répertoire habituel entre West Coast Blues et Jazz. Pas nécessairement original mais bien réalisé.

After a long and fruitful collaboration with Bullseye, Charles Brown signs for Verve. Accompanied by his regular band (Clifford Solomon, Danny Caron, Ruth Davies, Gaylord Birch) and produced by John Snyder, he plays his usual repertoire between West Coast Blues and Jazz. Not necessarily original but well done.

HONEYDRIPPER

Verve

November 1994

Comme sur "These blues", Charles Brown propose son cocktail Jazz-Blues habituel (mêmes musiciens, producteur et label). Un album doux et agréable bien que pas vraiment original. A 72 ans, Charles Brown se montre, en tout cas, toujours en forme au piano et au chant. On note les apparitions d'Irene Reid et d'Etta James.

As on "These blues", Charles Brown offers his usual Jazz-Blues cocktail (same musicians, producer and label). A sweet and pleasant album although not really original. At 72, Charles Brown shows himself, in any case, always in fine form on piano and singing. Note appearances of Irene Reid and Etta James.

PIANO JAZZ

Jazz Alliance

March 1995

ROAD TESTED

Capitol

July 1995

Dans ce double disque live de Bonnie Raitt, Charles chante sur une version énergique de "Never make a move too soon".

In this Bonnie Raitt double live album, Charles sings on an energetic version of "Never make a move too soon".

JOHNS : ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK

Varese Sarabande

August 1995

Charles Brown et Danny Caron ont écrit la musique du film "Johns" réalisé par Scott Silver. Il s'agit de matériel original sauf pour trois titres issus de ses faces Bullseye. Une contribution mineure dans la discographie de Charles Brown.

Charles Brown and Danny Caron wrote the music for the "Johns" movie directed by Scott Silver. This is original material except for three titles taken from his Bullseye sides. A minor contribution in the Charles Brown discography.

BLUES LIVE FROM MOUNTAIN STAGE

Plate

1995

Une superbe et dynamique version de son "Quicksand blues" sur scène en 1995.

A superb and dynamic version of his "Quicksand blues" on stage in 1995.

SO GOES LOVE

Verve

April - October 1996

Bâti sur le même modèle que "These blues" et "Honey dripper", ce troisième et dernier album pour Verve mérite une écoute attentive. Bien réalisé, il reproduit son style West Coast satiné.

Built on the same model as "These blues" and "Honey dripper", this third and last album for Verve deserves a careful listening. Well done, it reproduces his West Coast satin style.

I'VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU

Virgin

1998

Charles joue sur un titre de cet album de la chanteuse de jazz Hadda Brooks.

Charles plays on a title on this album by jazz singer Hadda Brooks.

MEET ME WHERE THEY PLAY THE BLUES

Telarc

December 1998