Audiosyncrazy with an Attitude  

by Robyn Herzog,  August 1999, Freelance Music Journalist  

The amalgamation of acoustic finger picking, and storytelling sprinkled with an aptitude for the positive side of reality, best describes the music and magic of Brian Gladstone.

Born and raised in Toronto, Brian spent most of his adolescent years on the streets of Yorkville Village. A child of the ‘60’s, Brian indulged in the folk music sounds of Joe and Eddie, Phil Ochs, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Kweskin, and the hard rock and street blues of Luke and the Apostles, Stitch in Time, Kensington Market and the Ugly Ducklings.

A survivor of summer of love and Woodstock ’69 (although he can’t remember), Brian has attended some of the greatest concerts of all time. Some of these include The Beatles, Rolling Stones (pre geriatric), Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Byrds, Cat Stevens, Procol Harem, Cream, The Band, Bob Dylan, Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, and more.

The influence of this ‘60’s musical cannon, combined with the wit and insight of a master lyricist, come together in Brian’s debut release Back to the Dirt. There are no electric instruments recorded on this CD, which in essence transcends the medium into the message; as Brian has been known to refer to himself as "an analogue guy trapped in a digital world".

His writing style is lyrically rich and inviting, but it is the sonic red jellybeanishness  of Brian’s acoustic flat picking and intricate finger picking that interleaves and transports his listeners to the sounds of Reverend Gary Davis, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Blake, and other masters of the acoustic blues and ragtime guitar. Robert Digoia, producer and recording engineer for Back to the Dirt describes Brian as "Leonard Cohen meets Doc Watson". Brian’s influences include these musical masters, but it is his own unique style that delights the ear and tantalizes the mind.

Karen Roberts, cover artist and graphic designer describes Brian as "the most creative and intuitive person [she has] ever encountered" and goes on to add that "everyone should meet a Brian in their lifetime".

Brian has performed his original material in and around Toronto, including appearances at the Free Times Cafe, Silver Dollar Room, Grossman’s Tavern, Graffiti’s, Indigo Cafe, the Artful Dodger and a coveted weekly appearance at Studio K’s where three cuts were recorded live. Brian's composition 'Don Valley Parkway Blues' recorded by the Acoustics still gets air play on CBC after many years. A highlight in Brian's life is the Knoxville's Bijou theater backstage meeting with Doc Watson, who asked to 'shake hands with his friend from Canada.' 

Back to the Dirt is a musical mosaic that takes its listener on an acoustic journey. Brian’s music is equally lyrically driven, as it is sonically intricate. Juxtaposed, these elements weave a rare web of music that is both original and traditional. Using the sounds of the 60’s fused with experiences of the 90’s, Back to the Dirt transcends the senses and peaks the mind.

By Robyn Herzog