Search - Junior Brown :: 12 Shades of Brown

A True Masterpiece

Darren | United States | 09/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being a big fan of Junior Brown, I own all five of his current albums, but although I like all of them, it's not hard for me to say that this is his best. So many of its songs are so superb. With that said, it's important to mention the general style of the album. Not having been exposed to much "old-time" country until this album, when I first got it (my first Junior album), I wasn't too sure about it. But every time I listened, I began to like it more and more.Basically, it's old-time country, but with a twist (which I discovered after purchasing and listening to an Ernest Tubb CD). I've heard people say it's country with the spirit of rock 'n' roll, and I have to agree with that. Really, I see three styles total on the album. Real old-time country ("Freeborn Man", "They Don't Choose to Live That Way", "Too Many Nights In a Roadhouse", "A Way to Survive", and "Moan All Night Long"), older-but-not-as-old country ("My Baby Don't Dance To Nothing But Ernest Tubb", "Baby Let the Bad Times Be", "Broke Down South of Dallas", "What's Left Just Won't Go Right", and "Don't Sell the Farm"), and Hawaiian influenced country ("Hillbilly Hula Gal" and "Coconut Island"). Those are really sub-styles though, as the album is actually very focused compared with some of his other albums. It's old-time country with the spirit of rock 'n' roll, and it's that simple. And in clarification of what I meant by Hawaiian influenced ... it's not actually Hawaiian, but a Hawaiian steel guitar sound is evident in many parts of the two songs that I said are Hawaiian influenced. Those two songs are also at least tropical in their titles and lyrics. Other than that though, they're good ol' country just like the rest of the album.As I said earlier, many of the songs on this album are really superb. Country was always meant to be serious at times, silly at times, and often a mix of the two, and that's evident on this album. With songs such as "My Baby Don't Dance To Nothing But Ernest Tubb" and "Hillbilly Hula Gal", unless you impose a 'well it's just too silly for me' barrier, you won't be able to help but smile at the pure listening fun those songs bring, as they are really just pure fun for all their silliness, and they examplify perfectly what I meant when I said country was meant to be silly at times.With songs such as "They Don't Choose to Live That Way" and "Don't Sell the Farm", if you allow yourself to, you can really feel the emotions that Junior is trying to convey through the music and lyrics, and those songs are exactly what I meant by saying country was meant to be serious at times.With songs in between (which is most of them), you just get a good listening experience, with excellent songs. All of the songs are just good, regardless of whether they're silly, serious, or in between. All of them are just superb, but you'll have to listen to them to know exactly what I mean.This is my favorite Junior album, and I really do feel it's a masterpiece. I listen to all twelve tracks, and whenever I make CD-R compilations of Junior's music for my family, friends and aquaintences, I find it difficult to leave off whatever songs from this album that I can't fit. For anyone who likes country music, I highly recommend this album. Even if you've never heard old-time country, or else aren't real fond of it, there's a good chance you'll like this if you give it a few listens. Start with such classics as "My Baby Don't Dance to Nothing But Ernest Tubb" and "Baby Let the Bad Times Be", and go from there.Happy listening, and if you like this, then be sure to check out Junior's other albums."

The best of Junior's releases

Fonebone | Jacksonville FL | 09/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was my first Junior CD. It is my favorite, one of my old reliables that I reach for when I want to hear something I know I like. The first track, My Baby Don't Dance To Nothin' But Ernest Tubb, is a true homage to ol' ET, and any song that has the word "tarnation" ("I wonder why in tarnation she's got such a strange fixation") in it has to be good. "Freeborn Man" starts out stealthily, sounding like a ballad, then rips into quintessential Junior, who releases all the fury of his guit-steel in one explosive display; the additional solos in it are also excellent and fit the mood of the song perfectly. "Too Many Nights In A Roadhouse" is a song I find myself singing frequently. Junior's voice is low and smooth and a treat for any bass lover. "Broke Down South Of Dallas" combines all the elements: Junior's playing, his basso vocals and his unique way with words ("I'm a happy guy as the miles go by, there ain't too much that I'm missin', but I got a wife with a frying pan, and when she talks I listen"). The two ballads are not favorites but they still display Junior's wonderful voice. This CD is the closest to his live performances, which are so incredible you have to see one to believe it."

Junior Brown Brings Fun Back to Country and Western

Fonebone | 08/28/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Junior Brown brings a style to country that's been missing for a long time. "12 Shades of Brown is Junior at his best... tongue and cheek lyrics and witticisms linked with a distinctive and superior level of guitar playing. Seeing Junior live is an extraordinary experience (he does for country what Louis Prima did for swing on stage). This album's a delight!"