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.....Scottish Roots Rocker Brian McDade Launches Nashville-Recorded ‘Love Bayou’ Sept. 27

COATBRIDGE, Scotland (August 5, 2005) – Roots rocker Brian McDade finds inspiration wherever he goes – and he really gets around. His new album, LOVE BAYOU (OTN Records), set for world release Sept. 27, features songs set in Scotland, Mississippi, Paris, Mexico and California

As storyteller and singer, McDade convincingly evokes a range of characters and emotions – from nostalgic vaudevillian (Houselights) to urgent war observer (Blood on a Desert Rose), from starry-eyed lover (Love Bayou) to vengeful newlywed (People in Grass Houses). “I write about people, places, peace, war, justice, injustice, love, beer, good, bad, the spiritual, circus clowns, stevedores, vaudeville, cars, roads, steel men, good-time girls, cutthroats, pimps, trannies, police, life ” says McDade, who lists Chuck Berry, the Beatles, The Band, Van Morrison, Steve Earle and Johnny Cash among his influences. “My songs are about getting a story across and making pictures in people’s heads. I’m selling a story, not just a groove.”

That said, there is groove to spare. Recorded in Nashville, LOVE BAYOU melds the well- traveled Scotsman’s soulful vocals and melodies with an expertly assembled band of rootsy Music City session aces, creating a rich mélange of blues, gospel, country and rock ’n’ roll that McDade has playfully dubbed “Scotiana.”

The band is bassist Jeff “Stick” Davis, who produced the record with the artist; Barry “Byrd” Burton on guitars and lap steel; Michael Webb on Hammond organ, piano and accordion; and Bryan Owings on drums and percussion. “My mates play soul music, with the Mississippi running through their veins,” says McDade, who recalls the three-day recording session for the album as “pure magic.” No surprise there: Davis and Burton are founding members of the Amazing Rhythm Aces; Davis is a current member of Americana supergroup Burrito Deluxe, while Burton is a member of Nanci Griffith’s band. Webb and Owings, between them, have backed up the likes of Delbert McClinton, Allison Moorer, Stacy Earle, Chris Cagle, Mark Germino, Shelby Lynne, and Buddy and Julie Miller.

Visit Brian Online at: www.brianmcdade.co.uk
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The title tune to Mc Dade's c.d. finds him crooning gruffly over wheezing Accordion,Accoustic Guitar and light shuffling percussion.gently charming.

Okay, you guessed it---producer Stick Davis is playing bass,and the Band is a version of The Amazing Rythme Aces.We can add that Brians publicity call's him "Scottish Roots Rocker" and you are on your own to understand the cover graphic that shows The River Clyde flowing into The Mississippi.Geography is a pretty big factor here, in fact; the songs are a Blues infused Travelogue of "faces and places," a major inspiration for Brian. The chemistry cooks and its fun Music with an edge that pushes possibilities.

Can a white man sing the blues? Can a Scotsman play Americana? Are these stupid questions? The answer to all three is, of course, yes. After all, the roots of Americana and most American “roots” music have still deeper roots in the music of the British Isles. But Scotsman McDade deals with those parochial enough to see the second question as legitimate by dubbing his music “Scotiana.” The cover of Love Bayou depicts a map showing the location of McDade’s fantasy stream, near the imaginary intersection of the River Clyde (Scotland’s third longest) and the Mississippi. This illustrates where his music is coming from as well as anything could. The influence of his native land is here, but subtle (nothing as rash as bagpipes). The effect of the Mississippi is most apparent in the laid-back vocals floating on a soulful groove. Backing up McDade is a first-class team of Nashville Cats, most notably ex–Amazing Rhythm Aces Barry “Byrd” Burton and Jeff “Stick” Davis (who co-produced with McDade).
Close your eyes, lean back, and drift along the grooves of Love Bayou and you’ll have a great trip, something akin to drifting down a cool stream on a hot August afternoon. But those willing to put forth a little more effort, listening to the lyrics rather than just going with the flow, will be rewarded. You’ll hear about a past-his-prime actor on “Houselights” and, on “Repossessed,” the story of a down-on-his-luck man who maintains pride and spirit in spite of losing all his possessions.
But mostly you’ll hear stories of romance. However, McDade’s songs of romance are not always what they first seem. The title and musical feel of “Promises” obscures the fact that the promises were all broken. “Love Bayou,” while obviously about a great new relationship, has a slight undercurrent of fear that it can’t last. A recurring theme is short-lived romances viewed through rose-tinted glasses. “Missing Miss Someone,” “Paris,” and “Blue Moon and a Mississippi Girl” are each different takes on this theme, as is “Paris,” where a one-night-stand is, at best, a failed attempt to recapture the feeling of a past romance. An alternate interpretation—that the character in the story is over-idealizing the current liaison until forced to confront reality (when the lady leaves with a Russian Stevedore)—is another depressing possibility.
Sometimes the story is exactly what it seems; instead, the twist is lyrical, turning a cliché on its head. In the tale of an ill-conceived Vegas wedding, where high times lead to an ugly ending (somewhat reminiscent of Robert Earle Keen’s “The Road Goes on Forever”), McDade builds a hook and title around his twisted cliché, “people in grass houses shouldn’t get stoned.”
Ultimately, Love Bayou is a great place for your next musical visit, whether you choose to just chill to the grooves or dig deeper. Unlike its real-world counterpart, the Love Bayou remains untouched by hurricanes and awaits your visit. -- Al Kunz

BRIAN Mc DADE, LOVE BAYOU (OTN Productions) Mc DADE writes great lyrics, mixes rock, country, and blues flawlessly, and has the backing of part of the original lineup of the Amazing Rythme Aces. No way to go wrong with that setup. Check out Barry Burton's marvelous solo on "Two Hoots."Brings back a time when ARA was one of the best in the land.

Brian McDade:Love Bayou

Brian McDade's fourth album, Love Bayou, is a quality effort. The gifted troubadour, who readily admits in his bio to just "getting started despite his 30-year musical career," uses keen observation and sharp writing on 15 tracks of location, people, mood and circumstance. The blend arrives further complimented with some noted musical names. Names like album producer and Amazing Rhythm Ace and latter-day Burrito Deluxe member, Jeff "Stick" Davis, on bass and vocals. There's also Barry "Byrd" Burton on lap steel and guitars. Brian Owings is on drums; and with Michael Webb on Hammond organ and keyboards rounding it all out, you are on the listening end of an album satisfying with style, substance, and underscored talent.

With a voice soaked with melodic character (McDade comes from Coatbridge, Scotland), these Nashville recorded tunes arrive as crafted storylines painted with intended honesty and shared passion. The lyric liner, often a sad loss on many of today's independent outings, on this OTN release reveals a writer who taps into not only the daily shades of life, but does so by crossing fixed borders. In doing so, McDade keenly blurs what's defined as country music. For the former grape picker and high-rise window-cleaner, on this album, he doesn't sit in the predictable bleaches of accepted Nashville made fare. Rather, the singing Scot, whose strongest ambition is to touch people musically like Hank did, adds the welcomed spice of roots, rock, and blues. The final blend is delightfully different, harboring under McDade's self-described "Scotiana".

Call it what you will, but McDade makes lived-in music. The opening track, "Houselights," is a tale of bygone memories watched from the sidelines. Riding a moody bass line and a haunting organ, the tune is only one of the diverse nuggets found in the album's tuneful chest.



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"My songs are about getting a story across and making pictures in people's heads," tells McDade from his website. "I'm selling a story, not just a groove." And to reinforce the need for image over melody, he adds, "I get inspired by places and faces. A sleight of word, a twist of phrase, is eaten up into the always lurking song machine, and spat out at the title or clue to a new song."

Those faces and places claim more than casual identity across Love Bayou. Tracks like "Paris," the Knoffler-ish "Santa Anna Winds," and piano-lead and blues-stoked, "Blue Moon Mississippi Girl," touch on location, while "Repossessed," "People In Grass Houses," and the twang of "Promises" all skirt the understood issues of the examined life.

Reading Brian McDade's bio, he reveals a given. This is not your typical Nashville record. This is not T-shirt country, where image overshadows the craft of delivering meaningful tunes. You probably won't see McDade on the cover of a country glossy, and you probably won't catch him strutting across a CMT TV screen. That's not his style. This is a singer, who later in life is happily making the music he wants, for the people who want to hear it, all on his terms. Love Bayou is the rewarding result.

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Brian McDade hails from Scotland. He has been writing and singing songs for over 30 years. Perhaps this is where the ease of performance comes from for Brian. His career is really just getting started despite numerous previous releases. The music industry is just starting to really notice this talented Scot. Featured on his new CD are 15 songs performed by Brian and company; Jeff "Stick" Davis on bass and backing vocals; Barry "Byrd" Burton on guitars and lap steel; Michael Webb on Hammond organ, piano and accordion; and Bryan Owings on drums and percussion. These talented Nashville regulars build the backing for the wide range of songs Brian has put together for us to enjoy. With styling from alt-country to blues, folk, and rock comprising what Brian has coined "Scotlana", you will enjoy every tune. Here are some of my picks from this wonderful CD:

The CD opens with "Houselights". A song from the road of a performer, Brian tells the story of a musician's travels from one stage to the next. A perfect blend of keyboard, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums and bass, the minor keyed musical accompaniment compliments the song perfectly. Byrd uses fills throughout and brilliantly accents Brian's vocals. A beautiful short organ solo by Michael rounds it all out.

Descending slithering slide guitar reaches a slippery rocking backdrop for "Two Hoots". Byrd's guitar work shows his versatility as he moves between a Clapton-like tone/style to slippery slide. Brian tells the tale of a girl who can't be pinned down and is just taking men for a ride.







The large soundstage of "Paris" is enhanced by Michael's piano blended perfectly with Brian's acoustic guitar. Brian's vocals bounce on top with a story of a dream of Paris and a girl he loved.
Rhythmically inspired by perhaps Bo Diddley, "Repossessed" reveals the perspective of someone whose possessions are just about to be collected by the lenders. It slides right into "Sunset [Over Bargeddie]" a beautiful song whose music backing reminds me of Dire Straits.

"Promises" has a lighthearted feel with a marching country snare setting the beat on top of countrified guitar and a bouncy piano. As Brian tells the story of broken promises it is softened by the tongue-in-cheek musical stage.

"Santa Ana Winds" bounces with acoustic guitar, a well placed organ, Spanish inspired guitar fills and precise drums. Brian's story of remembrance of a time in the past in Santa Ana with a girl. A beautiful set of solos by gut-stringed guitar and organ accent the song.

The whimsical feel of "Missing Miss Someone" is lighthearted as Brian stretches out vocally.

The bluesy "Blue Moon And A Mississippi Girl" opens with slide and picked electric guitars on top of precision piano, drums and bass laying out the blues. Brian spins his tale of a warm night and his girl.

"People In Grass Houses" is a story weaving memories of a difficult life beginning with a girl he married in Vegas. After awakening in Mexico with a hangover his life erodes as they are busted and she left with the money. His search for her ends sadly.

Each listen of Brian McDade's "Love Bayou" reveals added enjoyment. I love the intricate construction of each song. The lyrics are well crafted and Brian's delivery is perfect. I highly recommend this Scotsman and his own style of music, Scotlana. You can find out more by visiting Brian's website here. You can find your own copy of "Love Bayou" here.

~ steve ekblad - audiogrid.com

"I write about people, places, peace, war, justice, injustice, love, beer, good, bad, the spiritual, circus clowns, stevedores, vaudeville, cars, roads, steel men, good-time girls, cutthroats, pimps, trannies, police, life..." says McDade. And its true; his songs are set in all sorts of places, environments and focus on many different situations. The song "Blood On A Desert Rose" is his story of a soldier and takes a different slant on a soldier's struggle, "Stand by me guardian angel/ Before this day is done/ I have to tell my brother/ I may fall in the heat of the battle/If I make it back home have I won."
McDade's musical style tends to be classifiable as country rock or modern blues/rock, but McDade prefers to call himself "scotiana". However, McDade has created/produced an album, full of what I would call just Americana. It has elements of all kinds of American music: country, blues, rock, etc, etc... But "Love Bayou" is Brian McDade's fourth release, and he still sounds fresh.

Finally, listen out for an album by Brian McDade. Brian hails from Lanarkshire, but went to Nashville’s legendary Fireside studio to record his fourth album Love Bayou, a collection of his own self-penned material. The songs are quite pleasant, Brian’s voice works them well, and the musicians, Jeff Davis, Barry Burton, Michael Webb, Brian Owings and Ed Simonton complete the picture well. I really enjoyed “Promises”, “Santa Ana Winds” and the title track, which has a soft bayou feel about it.
53-year-old McDade has been making inroads into the Americana and singer-songwriter scene, here, in Ireland, and in the US. Check out short clips of his album, and buy from his website www.brianmcdade.co.uk
Any info for the column can be sent to Stewart Fenwick

Wonderful songs with great lyrics!
Reviewer: Bob Leslie
This man has achieved the wonderful fusion of a Scots literary landscape with down-home rockin' electric Americana music: Scoticana! With 15 impeccably produced and played tracks, it's a bargain in itself but, over and above the performances, it's the quality of writing that lifts this album way above contemporary Nashville commercial. I'm reminded of R B Morris (another brilliant songwriter!) or early Steve Earle but every now and again a hint of blues sneaks in (and very successfully). Favourite tracks are Paris, Blood On A Desert Rose, Byrd and the wonderfully titled People In Grass Houses Shouldn't Get Stoned but the more I listen, the more the CD as a whole appeals to me. This has proper lyrics, real tunes, catchy hooklines and choruses. A winner all the way!

There,s almost no way Scottish-born Brian Mc Dade will ever get serious radio play for his new album, "Love Bayou" and that,s an artistic shame.
Citing such such American country giants as Johnny Cash among his all-time top influences, Mc Dade shows that real country singers dont always have to be born and raised in this country to be genuine countrified country singers.
If you can find "love Bayou," do yourself a favour and get it. RATING : A -