New CD introduces Joel Brown, singer-songwriter

Eighteen months after Joel Brown decided to return to songwriting, the fruits of his efforts have arrived in the form of a new CD - just in time for Christmas. 

In the ten songs that make up "Places," Brown - who teaches classical guitar at Skidmore and chairs the music department -- explores the many influences that have shaped his interests in popular music, including the Beatles (at the top of his list); Crosby, Stills and Nash; Motown, and country.

Brown was a prolific songwriter in his teens and 20s, but back-burnered that interest for a couple of decades to focus on performance and teaching. He returned to writing last year after setting up a recording studio in his home and - with help from friend and noted local musician Dave Maswick -- mastering the essentials of laying down tracks.

"The ability to record something right away inspired me to start writing songs again," he says. "We went through the whole process of hashing out ideas, making demos, and finally replacing demo tracks with the real thing. It's a long process."

The title of the CD derives from the first song on the album, "Places You Call Home," in which Brown and Maswick pass on their advice to the next generation in harmonies that recall "Teach Your Children Well" by Crosby, Stills and Nash. Opening with a focus on family seems appropriate, given how the lives of three generations of Browns have intertwined and synergized musically over the years. Joel's father, Frank, a professional clarinetist, plays in "Cold War." His sister, Linn, sings back-up vocal on "Start to Start. And his son Jason arranged "The Morning's All Gone," a chronicle of the boredom Brown experienced while once on a plane grounded in Atlanta.

Several members of the Skidmore community also contributed. Dave Maswick, a former member of Skidmore's IT staff, produced the album, sings back-up vocals, and on most of the songs plays guitar and bass. Tim Peck '04 plays organ on four tracks, including a cover of the Beatles' "Drive My Car" that Brown has arranged to give it the sound of the Big Band era. Former music faculty member Chuck D'Aloia plays guitar on three songs, and local musician Garland Nelson '96 provides back-up vocals on "A Girl Like That."

The release of "Places" follows the release last month of the live recording of Triple Play's remarkable appearance at Saratoga ArtsFest in June. A member of that band since 1999, Brown performs with Chris Brubeck (playing electric bass, bass, trombone, piano and vocals) and Peter Madcat Ruth (playing harmonica, guitar, jaw harp, percussion and vocals). A celebratory vibe produced by the sight and sound of both Frank Brown and Dave Brubeck jamming with their sons made the concert unforgettable.

The live Triple Play album can be purchased at the Skidmore Shop and on Amazon, and "Places" soon will be available in both of those places, too. While you're in the holiday spirit, consider also " Christmas Cedar and Spruce," a collection of 11 Christmas favorites performed in their inimitable way by the younger Brown, the younger Brubeck, and Madcat Ruth.