NORMAN BROWN
Change, the outcome of energy’s constant movement has weaved
itself through the fabric of his life. Change is the force that stimulates
his creativity, inspiring new ideas and innovative ways to enhance
his music. Change motivates him to think outside of known restraints.
Change became his teacher and his friend; a constant companion that
took the form of situations, circumstances, and events that altered
the landscape of his personal world. It is change that has kept guitarist,
singer, and songwriter, Norman Brown, from becoming stagnated. Therefore,
he continues to evolve … a new CD and a new label, Peak Records.
Norman Brown, up close and personal, as we go beneath his music.
Let’s talk about this new CD. “Stay With Me.”
Yeah, Stay With Me. “Well, you know, I was
reading on my website and listening to my fans. I really wanted to
satisfy them on this one. They were a bit worried about my singing
too much, not producing and not writing. So, I took matters into my
own hands. Kind of like the After The Storm CD, I
wrote most of the material and produced six of the cuts. I think I
gave everybody what he or she wanted. I’m also singing on it,
too, though!” Yes, I noticed.
The After The Storm CD was huge. “Yes, it was
kind of a defining moment for me in my career. It really was and I
love that. I’m very proud of that. But, people expect me to
keep making that same record. It’s already done. I can’t
do it twice. I don’t want to do it twice. I want to do something
else that is just as good or better. So, that’s why I kept moving
forward. With this record, Stay With Me, I am basically
talking to them. I’m saying, ‘Hey you guys, I understand
what you like now. Stay With Me, I got it for you.
Here it is; more guitar playing, still some vocals, more writing and
more production.’ I’m waiting to see how they like this
one.”
What do you think about Stay With Me? “I love
it. I think it is one of my best [albums].” Uh-huh, why? “It
shows my growth from writing to my playing and the production. I can
see growth in all of those areas. I’m just that kind of a cat.
I like learning and growing. [On] the last few records, I did a lot
of collaborating with songwriters and producers. That was good for
me. I learned new techniques and some other things. Up to that point,
I had been writing and producing the records myself, the first three,
and I think it all came together on this one.” Mmmm.
I feel that from the direction your music has taken, for you, it’s
about self-actualization. “Yeah … I have to know who I
am to present myself to people. It’s evolution, evolving as
we go. I like to be in harmony with that. That’s kind of hard
for some people. It’s kind of like going to the store to buy
ketchup. [When] you buy ketchup, you want ketchup. You don’t
want to get the ketchup home [and] find barbeque sauce in the bottle,
you know. So, people were kind of looking at Norman Brown in that
same way. ‘Hey, hey, wait a minute. I bought Norman Brown, the
guitar player/writer guy. What happened to him?’ Nothing happened
to him. He just kept growing and adding more tools to his arsenal.
And, on this record, it all came together. I think I summarized!”
That’s great, it’s a win-win situation. You’re happy
with the product and we’re happy because we got what we wanted
from you. “ There it is.”
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