Added: Jul 5, 2008
From: mrbrian1965
Duration: 2:36
70's Canadian band Brahman with the song "Not Exactly A Friend", from their only album "Brahman" released in 1971. This eponymous release was the short-lived Brahman's only LP, which is too bad, because this first effort showed a lot of potential. Most of the songs were written by organist Robbie King (Skylark, Hometown Band, and, much later, Bryan Adams) and drummer Duris Maxwell (in Doucette with King, and later with the Powder Blues Band). Their blend of blues-rock, hard rock, and emerging prog rock often recalls Atomic Rooster & Procol Harum, an analogy sported as much by the style of the music as by King's riveting, rocking abilities at the organ. Singer Victor Stewart's soul sensibilities are a definite plus, especially on the heartfelt "Jonathan" and "You Changed My Life Around," the latter slapping a ballad-type melody over a rock song driven by a mean bass riff played on a Rickenbacker. "Automatic Man" features odd rhythmic patters, a dirty organ riff, and a drum solo episode, but the unsuspected highlight is "She Went Down." Here, Brahman gets one iota shy of impersonating Gentle Giant, thanks to beautiful contrapuntal lines, a harpsichord, shifting time signatures, and Stewart's voice finding a fragility very close to Kerry Minnear's. The naivete found in some of the lyrics ("Build a Tower," "Jonathan") did not age well but, otherwise, this long-unavailable LP is worth seeking out. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide
Channel: Music
Rating: ( ratings) Views: 205' favoriteCount='1 Comments: 1
mrbrian1965 Says:
Jul 29, 2008 - True it's a shame a lot of the music from around that time the mix isn't what it should be.
DurisMaxwell Says:
Jul 29, 2008 - Thanks for posting this track from our album. When I was asked to put a band together I picked the strongest lineup in Vancouver at the time. It's Eddie Patterson & myself singing this item, but we went with Victor Stewart as our lead singer. But Brahman was an amazing experience. And contrary to some reports, I wasn't the band's secret weapon...Paul Blaney our bass player was. And so sorry for the atrocious mix btw. Robbie King & I blew that completely. Ah well, live and learn :)