So sublime and precious, Brown's songwriting and keyboards for both The Left Banke and The Beckies are the rare gems that spawned a micro-genre few have replicated with as much aplomb.
Pure gold, Brad - I remember these songs when I was growing up - less popular with the crowd I hung out with, but I always loved the sound - different from most of the other stuff on AM radio and cool because of it
Thanks, Michael! I learned so much doing the research. Mike Brown was such a perfect example of a tortured genius. Falls out of bed and can't help but create hauntingly beautiful melodies, but finds a way to sabotage each project he joined/helped create.
I heard that he kept writing in the decades following the '76 Beckies LP, but so what, if no one gets to hear the music? If all it did was soothe his soul, I guess we can give him that, but I wonder what we missed.🤔💖😀👍
Thanks, Marshall! Glad you like! May I presume you've had no previous history with The Beckies (like most people)? I remember bringing it home, and being pretty amazed. I'm sure I had rock mags to help fill me in on who/what, etc? That was always a plus, especially if I had no label promo like bio or press kit to help me out.
I think you know we've got some former '70s rock scribes here on the 'Stack, like Wayne Robins (CREEM) and Robert Christgau! I also remember finding the "Hot Parts" soundtrack album at a flea market or someplace, solely because I noticed it had two songs with Mike Brown's name all over 'em! Thanks again, Marshall!
Pure gold, Brad - I remember these songs when I was growing up - less popular with the crowd I hung out with, but I always loved the sound - different from most of the other stuff on AM radio and cool because of it
Thanks, Michael! I learned so much doing the research. Mike Brown was such a perfect example of a tortured genius. Falls out of bed and can't help but create hauntingly beautiful melodies, but finds a way to sabotage each project he joined/helped create.
I heard that he kept writing in the decades following the '76 Beckies LP, but so what, if no one gets to hear the music? If all it did was soothe his soul, I guess we can give him that, but I wonder what we missed.🤔💖😀👍
It would be very cool if his estate released those if they still exist - especially if they’re scored or charted in some way
Great piece, Brad. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Made me want to hear these songs again, which I always think is the goal of writing about music.
Thanks, Marshall! Glad you like! May I presume you've had no previous history with The Beckies (like most people)? I remember bringing it home, and being pretty amazed. I'm sure I had rock mags to help fill me in on who/what, etc? That was always a plus, especially if I had no label promo like bio or press kit to help me out.
I think you know we've got some former '70s rock scribes here on the 'Stack, like Wayne Robins (CREEM) and Robert Christgau! I also remember finding the "Hot Parts" soundtrack album at a flea market or someplace, solely because I noticed it had two songs with Mike Brown's name all over 'em! Thanks again, Marshall!