A few years ago a special about the history of the Blues was aired on TV. As an enthusiast of this musical style, I obviously couldn't afford to miss this show that promised to be exciting. Thus, when the day came, I was comfortably installed in front of my TV, rubbing my hands in advance in anticipation of what I would see and hear. There was a round table with a panel of speakers; I should rather say facilitators whose function was in principle to guide us through the history and the origins of this form of musical culture that is called Blues. As the show was starting to take place I realized that it had been more prepared for a say General public and not necessarily for fans, or if you prefer for knowledgeable amateurs. Panelists who without doubt were prepared by their researchers were conducting a superficial overview of the issue. I had the distinct impression that I would not be getting my money's worth. Sitting a little in the background was a man with a guitar who did not say a word. No doubt that he was mandated to musically illustrate the animators. It was unfortunately after three quarters of the show was done, that he got involved. I say unfortunately because once the animators had completed their presentation, the musician who until then was silent, finally made some recommendations. Our friend could then comply and give us some examples of styles, and go to the most relevant comments. Finally, we arrived at the heart of the matter. A sober and inspired performance dramatically illustrating his point, in short, to teach us and make us feel much more than all the rhetoric that preceded his intervention. At the time, I could not help but regret that the entire show was not animated by this artist, who we guessed, had a very broad knowledge of the subject, and moreover was able to deliver us the subject in a much more concrete manner.
I came to make the acquaintance of Michael Jerome Browne!
Michael was born in South Bend, Indiana in 1960, and his parents were English teachers, themselves real lovers of poetry and music. It was therefore normal that already at a young age; our friend was regularly led to attend the Montreal clubs where it was possible to see artists of Blues, Jazz and Folk music. With time, Michael developed an exceptional mastery to merrily navigate through all these art forms. Extremely known and respected by his peers and, through all the world, the one who is also called MJB is however a person less familiar to the public here. Yet we may well find him at Carnegie Hall, in the studio with Taj Mahal or even in a show with a Guy Davis. That is how the mastery of many instruments, on top of being also a very talented singer, has gotten him a reputation beyond our borders. In addition, Michael Jerome Browne was the subject of a total of 17 nominations to the Maple Blues awards since 1999, in the following categories: Acoustic artist, Male Singer, Guitarist, Songwriter, Director, Recording and Entertainer of the year.
Michael Jerome Browne has his own true musical encyclopedia that you would have an interest to discover on your own, if you have not done so already. Eclectic artist that he is, he will make you travel through the various musical styles that he addresses, all delivered under the sign of an exemplary musicality.
Here are a few video links allowing you to appreciate his musical work:
Michael at a performance at Archambault Capital in Quebec January 16, 2010
"Summer Shoes On" Michael Jerome Browne Live At The Gladstone
