Sugar Brown – who is this guy? He seems to have appeared out of thin air.
Sugar Brown is Ken Chester Kawashima. Or is it, Ken Chester Kawashima is Sugar Brown? No matter, this guy knows how to play the blues. Sugar Brown’s Sad Day is the first full length album from this talented artist.
This release is a delightful throwback to the glory days of the fifties on the west side of Chicago, with some Delta blues mixed in for good measure.
Sugar Brown takes matters into his own hands by playing guitar, harmonica and piano. But he doesn’t just play them, he finds a way to them bring them to life.
And that becomes quite evident from the first note of his instrumental Fisherman Blues, which makes you long for the good ole days.
There are plenty of songs to keep you glued to this cd. As a matter of fact, this cd sports a hefty list of 15 songs. Many sound like classic blues, others sound like Delta Blues, and others virtually sound like early rock n roll tunes.
Before the Law is one of those songs that recalls the early days of blues evolving into rock n roll. It’s reminiscent of Bo Diddley and when you close your eyes you can feel the rhythm that invented rock n roll.
Other highpoints include Sad Day, which is more than just a song title. It’s a real life event – the death of Sugar Brown’s father. You can feel his pain as he sings:
“His hands are still warm – Ah but his eyes are cold and gone”.
The mournful harmonica playing comes from Montreal’s legendary Bharath Rajakumar.
The rest of the cd features some great slide work, intense vocals and solid harmonica playing Pay attention to Hook at Boogie, Rollin and Tumblin. Actually pay attention to the entire cd. It’s well worth it.
If you long for the good ole days and ole time blues, then this cd is for you.
The more you listen to this album, the more you like it. And once you listen you’re sure to hit the like button.
http://www.sugarbrownmusic.com
The Blues Are Alive! 