Presenting A Great New Artist On 'Stardust Of Nashville'

Brian Gladstone - Psychedelic Pholk Psongs

Things are Looking good for Canadian Singer/ Songwriter / Guitarpickin' guru Artist Brian Gladstone

Toronto singer guitarist Brian Gladstone is an inspired finger picking guitar player, a colorful performer and a passionate songwriter. A true original who forges his own path in the world of music, Gladstone's first release (1999s "Back to the Dirt") led to immediate airplay and international recognition. Now Gladstone is back with the playfully titled "Psychedelic Pholk Psongs" an important new step in the evolution of an exciting career.

A Toronto born musician and free spirit, Gladstone grew up to the sounds of Bob Dylan; Peter, Paul & Mary; Phil Ochs and other Sixties trailblazers. The honesty in Gladstone's songs is a tribute to the early greats of folk music, as is his dedication to acoustic instruments and to natural sounding records. When his first album, "Back to the Dirt" was released in 1999, it immediately generated significant attention in Europe, where it climbed to #86 in the worldwide mainstream country chart. Songs from "Back to the Dirt" also made it to the airwaves in the United States, Asia and Australia. Then, shortly after its release early in 2002, "Psychedelic Pholk Psongs" was signed to Silverwolf Records (Kingston Trio, Odetta, Kerrville Folk Festival).

A confident performer who plays a distinctive hand painted Gibson guitar, Brian Gladstone is a mainstay on the Toronto music scene, earning a prestigious showcase at Canadian Music Week in 2001 and a listing in the History of Canadian Music website. In addition, Gladstone voluntarily organizes an annual multi performer benefit concert with all proceeds going to Earthday Canada, a reflection of his belief that music can make a positive difference in the world.

When he started work on his second CD, Brian approached the project with his trademark straightforwardness.

In fact, he was so committed to the concept of an all acoustic album, he yanked out the cord when co producer Robert Digioia plugged in an electric bass. "It was a natural reflex action," Gladstone says. "I didn't have too many pre-existing ideas of how the album should sound but I knew that I wanted it pure and unamplified."

The result is an organic and spontaneous sounding collection of nineteen original songs, recorded as simply as possible in Gladstone's home studio. "Psychedelic Pholk Psongs" features Gladstone's intricate guitar and banjo work, complemented perfectly by Tony Quarrington on additional guitars. Daisy DeBolt, Ron Korb and Maureen Brown also make significant musical contributions, as does Brian's sister Bonnie Gladstone on harmony vocals. Brian Gladstone's freewheeling songwriting approach is front and center on the album, in topics that range from the semi autobiographical "Asphalt Cowboy" to the thoughtful "Save the Wolverine" and the exploration of good and evil in "Do You Think You're Dorothy?" based on the Wizard of Oz. Toronto music journalist Gary Tate says "You don't have to be a fan of the psychedelic era to appreciate this cd." Today Gladstone's music is attracting growing numbers of fans in the country, bluegrass, blues and folk communities.

Brian Gladstone once said that "Psychedelic Pholk Psongs' is the "only CD which guarantees to restore brain cells lost to cheap 60's drugs". It's an audacious claim, but Brian Gladstone is known for his sense of humour and his optimism. Without a doubt, the honesty and enthusiasm of "Psychedelic Pholk Psongs" is positively infectious. And Brian Gladstone is a colourful performer making his mark on the world.