"Crosstown" - Mel Brown

[guitartexsatx]

Mel Brown was one of the greatest musicians ever. Seeing him many times at Antone's in the 1980s was always a treat. But one night in San Francisco about 1975 I saw him with Bobby Bland and he took a solo on that L-5 with the band completely dropped out behind him and his pickups turned completely OFF. You could have heard a pin drop and he blew everyone's mind it was so amazingly great. I worked at The Fillmore East and saw many great guitarists, but Mel Brown was tops.

[bluesboytom]

He´s absolutely great! So goooood for my soul!

[Albroon72]

real tasty playing !no rushing.. just real cool blues playing ! been playing his neckbones and caviar cd into the ground. he really puts all the modern flash guys to shame !

[stratobone]

So tough.......

[robbiesblues]

Mel Brown..so sorry to my soul that you left us.. thank you for leaving us with a legacy of wonderful music. Blues aint dyin man.. we will carry on with true Blues enthusiasm.. Long live the blues

[humpedmycat]

Ohhhhh Yaaaa Seen Mel at theold Pop the Gator back in the 80's

[mokaey]

is this the same musician as the mel brown on wikipedia that died in 2009 in ontario?

R.I.P. besides the greatest players in the world.

up there groovin a sweet tune with daune and robert :)

[HMJohnsonGuitar]

Yes ..Hallelujah! Swinging, down-home and sophisticated ..all-in-one!

[NeivaCunha]

too bad somebody is selling his guitar.

[twoslices]

Boy that cat SWINGS!

[NyJazzGuit]

I love the relaxed feel

[bmuhamad]

Will Somebody Please......Upload The "I'd Rather Suck My Thumb" Lp?.....

[elesgabor]

Thanks Mel . . . never disappoint in blues, kind of playing that gives me faith in music again . . .

[wmcoughlan]

I used to bartend at the Circus Room in Kitchener, Ontario, where Mel Brown and The Homewreckers had a regular gig on Wednesday nights. It was my introduction to the blues and it couldn't have come from a truer source. Mel used to be a studio musician and has played on records with Lightnin' Hopkins and John Lee Hooker, among others. Mel found a home in Kitchener for many years back in the 80s - 90s.

[ilanaaq]

@wmcoughlan Ah, the Circus Room! right around the corner from my buddy's house :) At least till the end of this month :( I've been kicking around Kitchener for as about as long as Mel did...

[badbluesman69]

The other day I saw a guitar just like Mel's in a shop and I missed him so much. I played guitar in his band, the Homewreckers, for a year in 1990-91, before I moved to Vancouver. When I joined the band I was the youngest, least experienced, weakest musician in the group. I improved more in that year than in any five years before or since. Every night was like a guitar lesson on stage. I will miss Mel Brown and carry his memory with me for the rest of my life.

[Hoopermazing]

This is what Eric Clapton sees when he looks in the mirror in his most private moments.

[taildragger53]

@Hoopermazing Ha ha! You are right although i'm not sure who Eric sees. I think E.C would have to be born 10 times over to play at this level of jazz inspired, Kenny Burrell-type, imagination.( apologies to E.C. lovers) Mel Brown was the original "Wizard".

[mokaey]

i will spread the word of this fantastic music...

for his blues style/music/soul shall live on...

[berncj]

Missing you Mel

[DoctorMikeD]

I was introduced to Mel and his music in 1987 or so at the Antone's on Guadalupe. He was such a gracious person towards an awkward college kid. His time with Silent Partners (Russell Jackson and Tony Coleman) was great. He had such a unique tone and phrasing. It was great to see him move from guitar to piano to B3 with such ease.

I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.

[SpencerBenedict2nd]

If anybody wants to hear Mel at his pinnacle i would suggest the "LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES - OLIVER NELSON'S BIG BAND" on IMPULSE A-9153 and on vinyl of course if you can find it. It's a1967 release. Being honest his playing is a little off in this clip. The cuts NIGHT TRAIN and GUITAR BLUES on said album are phenomenal! Look forward to Frank Strozier's alto horn and a young Tom Scott sounding off. Good stuff man!

[NickPycks6]

Back in 71 this great man took time to jam with an 18 year old kid THANKS MEL

[seyDoggy]

We'll miss you Mel. Rock me baby in [in heaven] all night long.

[kanada1337]

Thanks for the Memories, Mr. Brown!

[Stereobarf]

Smooth playing. RIP

[folsomprisonblues]

RIP Mel, You were a true legend and your memory will live on with us fans.

[taildragger51]

This is what i call the CLASSIC sound of Blues. It's so rare these days. I loved this guys playing from 1967 and saw him do sessions with John Lee Hooker (Endless Boogie). So very sorry to hear of his death.

[KitchenerKerry]

I'll never forget all the rounds of golf with Mel, especially the one where he totally set me up for my 30th surprise birthday party, and then played.

One of the nicest people I've ever met, never mind the music. The music was awesome. I wish I spent more time with you bro, my heart aches, I miss you already, I'll never forgive myself for not spending more time with you. Thanks for some of the greatest memories of my life. Special thanks to indieeyes for this video. RIP Mel, we love you

[Cooper420]

I saw Mel maybe 2 months ago and a few times last summer and in the fall. It's really a shame, I was hoping for a nice sunday to go see him again.

Rest well Mel :)

[bluzheaven]

What a GROOVEMASTER!! He plays pure blues and jazz too.

Such a true gentleman! Gave me many a lift home in his van

after gigging at Albert's Hall. Shall miss his loving and humble spirit. Would love to hear him now with that ALL STAR gang in Blues Heaven! Oh Mel, Thank you for leaving us such GRRREAT GRRROOVIN' music!! Peace to all Mel's

family and friends. R.I.P. Mel...

[philseoul]

I used to watch Mel Brown every Friday afternoon at the Keg at University of Guelph in the early 90's. What beautiful music he and his band made. He would let anyone come on stage and play with him, and you could tell how much he loved "dueling" with another great guitarist.

I miss Fridays with beer and Mel Brown.

Rest in peace, sir.

[thereveler]

This is real feeling!

I'm so sorry he passed away, it's a great loss. He will always be with us through his great music!

Best wishes for his family and friends.

[jonnocrap]

sorry to let everyone know, but mel just passed away at st mary's hospital here in kitchener. was supposed to see him at the boat house this sunday, very sad day for blues and for this city. RIP MEL

[bluesborn]

I'm very sorry to hear about Mel's passing.What a wonderful inspirational player.

[jefflazare]

Yes, prayers for Mel.

[mgman71]

Mel in hospital, not doing good.  Taken off life support today.

[roamingreviewer]

Mel Brown is still ALIVE, prayers and Circles of Care please.

[berncj]

Mel Brown is probably the most underated guitarist in the world. This can play it all. Blues, country, jazz...whatever. You can hear a little bit of T Bone Walker here and there and you should. He played with T Bone, Wayne Bennett, B.B. and everybody else. Mel's so humble and so very very talented. I am propud to say I have known him for over 35 years. A great musician and a good person as well.

[highwayonestrat]

so good!!! love it!

[conraddm]

Just found some recordings of Mel Brown and Denny Freeman between my old VHS tapes...

From the 80's on tour with Angela Strehli in Belgium, I'll upload them after editing...

[LostChameleon]

Sick.

[bluesborn]

This swings sooooooooooooooooo hard.Just beautiful.

[drgreez]

Very,very nice bluesy guitar. Thanks for the post.

[ROKYD]

ive met him he lives in k-w. my cousin is a close friend of his

[gusblues]

what a groove..whata bobby bland guitar player!!!

[kokoro86]

Heavy stuff..

[mojogypsy]

Nice!

[drummerofdeath21]

I wish I could get that sorta tone on the guitar. That jazzy tone with that blues style is BEAUTIFUL!!!

[velascor]

I used to watch Mel at Antones in Austin, TX in the 80's and man what a treat. I am glad saw him in such an intimate settings. He always had this smile when he would play these incredible leads and would be on his tip toes with his eyes closed just blowing us away as 21 year olds! How blessed was I !!!

[FlintboyG]

Oh Yeah! Very cool!!

[BBBGIT]

Laid back blues......Mel does it his way for sure.

[rexdalepete]

Mel, lovin' your tunes & style. Come back to the Slye Fox soon!!

[sipalayman]

Mel, I was glad to see this video. Love your music and style. Truly an unbelievable blues giant that just let the music speak for itself. Waiting for your next album. All I can say is WOW.

[WorldwidewelcomE]

Cool Bag Of Rhythm - Right On - WorldwidewelcomE - VIKING

[bluesduprat]

Great footage of the man also played with T Bone,Bobby Blue Bland, etc...now on ElectroFi records.

Always with humility and classy style.

[ronni2297]

cool-what are those jazzy chords in the turnaround?