Colorado Music Buzz Magazine – March 2008

Erica Brown - Blues for the Soul

SPOTLIGHT story by Neil Haverstick

Photos by R.J. Whetstone Images

Well, I’ll just say it straight: Erica Brown is the best damn R&B singer in Denver, end of story. Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from a Sikeston, Missouri girl. Sikeston is near the boot-heel of Missouri, not far north of Memphis, Tennessee - legendary home of the Sun and Stax record labels, and also the place where folks such as B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, and Elvis Presley got their start. Whatever it is down there, Erica must have got some of it as well; she sings with an intensity that I rarely hear. Yet according to Erica, maybe it’s because she "play(s) every show like it’s (her) last." I know its cliché, but it’s true: Erica doesn’t just sing the blues, she is the blues – and yet you’d never guess it. At one point she seriously considered becoming a nun. Though it was ultimately bad luck for the Pope that Erica chose a different path, Denver’s music lover population only benefited.

Erica arrived in Denver in the mid 1970’s after an early marriage, and following her divorce a few years later, she started visiting clubs. One night at Basin’s Up, inspired by Coco Brown’s band, she decided she wanted to pursue music herself. She soon began playing with a number of local bands including Ron Ivory and Hot Flash. Things started picking up when she joined Foreskin 500, and one of their songs, "Deliver Me," wound up in a Robert DeNiro movie, "The Fan." After a short stint in the Cherry Bomb Club, she was asked to join the Love Bandits, which then became the Erica Brown Band in 1998. And, 10 years later, the Brown band (Scotty Rivera, Rich Sallee, Jim Ayers, and Jon Woodhead) has become a tight outfit; drummer Rivera and keys player Ayers have spent time with local blues star Sammy Mayfield; Sallee is one of the finest blues bassists in town, and guitarist Woodhead has done roadtime with the hailed Leon Russell.

In their 10 years together, the EB Band has put together quite a track record; in 2005, they won the Best Blues Band category in the Westword Music Awards, they recorded two CD’s ("Body Work," featuring guest artist Kenny Neal, and "Rough Cut Stone"), have performed at numerous blues festivals (including fests in Telluride, Greeley, Trinidad, Canon City, and South Dakota), and opened for artists such as BB King, Al Green, Buddy Guy, Tab Benoit, Bernard Allison, John Mayall, Delbert McClinton, Coco Montoya, Sonny Rhodes, and Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin (Muddy Water’s guitarist for 7 years). Margolin has taken a personal interest in Erica as well; he was knocked out by her singing and stage presence, saying "Erica Brown kicks major booty on the bandstand," (You can read his in-depth interview with her at BluesWax.com). Erica has jammed with Margolin several times since, most recently after the Erica Brown Band performed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, representing Colorado in the Best Band category. When I asked her what’s next, she said she wanted to "get this thing on the road." And, with folks like Steady Rollin’ in her corner, it may not be long before that wish comes true.

The Erica Brown Band plays regularly in Colorado, but catch them while you can - Erica is poised to become a star in the world of R&B, and nobody deserves it more. Maybe she’ll even play for the Pope someday. EricaBrownBand.com

Blues News #3
Boulder’s Home of the Blues-Skinny Jay’s Blues Room
Boulder Outlook Hotel, Boulder, CO – September 2007
By Honey Sepeda

Glancing into September, on the 13th, the Erica Brown Band returns to the Outlook. The Erica Brown Band has been a Denver favorite for years. Lucky Denver. Boulder, however, is catching up, and with semi-regular gigs at the Boulder Outlook Hotel, we’re going to out-fan Denver (we can be competitive). The delicious Ms. Brown makes it easy by tearing the house down with a voice that would the turn the most jaded atheist into a true believer. From where else could that voice have come? The marvelous contradiction presented by this astoundingly first-rate, high-energy blues band is that when they perform, they chase away any and all blues from anyone within audible range. When Brown takes the mic–clearly her “on” button–she could coax joy out of Dick Cheney. It is oft said that comparisons are odious. Be that as it may, they are frequently necessary to reveal a comprehensible depiction to the uninformed. So, picture the moves of Tina Turner, the vocal range of Francine Reed, and the quick-witted, ad lib comedy of Robin Williams. Brown was born to perform. She’s like a cordless appliance and the stage is her charger. Mark your calendars and tell your friends to put on their best dancing shoes. We’ll see you there.

Erica Brown Band in Concert
Presented by The Wyoming Jazz and Blues Society
The Attic, Casper, Wyoming - November 24, 2004

http://www.wyobluesandjazz.org/erica_brown_band.htm

The Erica Brown Band was featured at the WBJS Fall, 2006 show at the Attic on November 24, 2006. The website touts them as “High Energy Rockin’ Blues.” That’s no exaggeration. What a GREAT show! From the moment they hit the stage, the fans were dancing, tapping their feet and sometimes singing along. Erica Brown is, to say the least, a BIG voice in a little package. She certainly can sing - she’s flashy, exuberant and fun - she has more energy than any kid I know. The rest of the band (Marc Larson, guitar, harmonies; Scotty Rivera, drums, lead and harmony; Jim Ayers, Hammond organ, keyboards, Harmony; Rich Sallee, Bass, Harmony) are full of great lead vocals, harmonies, charisma, energy, and, last but not least, talent. Hard to believe that they’re still playing small crowds. And all of this hasn’t gone to their heads - during breaks the band mingled with the crowd, just talking, getting to know us, signing CD’s, posters, etc. Then, Erica would change into her next flashy little dress, and the band would hit the stage for another high energy set. They played a lot of really great, groovy, bluesy-rockin’ originals - sure wish I’d picked up a CD. They covered some songs and did a wonderful job on those too.

Thanks to Nancy Taylor for bringing us this show. She really knows how to pick them, and how to make it happen. Thanks also to our sponsors (Dr. Novick, Dr. Li, Coors, Raytown Music and RJ Carpet Cleaning); without them, we wouldn‘t have such great shows. Thanks too to S&D Sound Design; they did a great job, which was really appreciated by the band and the fans.

If you missed them at this show, or just want to see them again, check out a list of their upcoming live shows at www.ericabrownband.com.

WhatsDoingTonight.com

Meet...
Erica Brown

Among the perks of this "job" are the exceptional people I've been able to add to my list of friends and acquaintances. Musicians, singers and artists often posses special qualities beyond their talent that would make anyone proud to be associated with them.

I've never ranked this list. But, if I had to do so, Erica Brown would certainly find a spot at the top.

Erica Brown

From my perspective, there are two Erica Browns. Off stage, there is the quiet, unassuming woman who can slip into the circle of people you are talking to at a gathering without anyone noticing just who it was who joined the group. In moments stolen to speak with her between sets, she is soft spoken and demonstrates that she is first a kind, compassionate and caring woman.

On stage that all changes. Erica Brown the performer lets it all hang out. With a flirtatious little gleam in her eyes, she taunts, she teases and she lets loose with a fun-loving, high energy rhythm and blues show that will knock your socks off!

So just who is Erica Brown? Well, she is a gracious woman... and she's Denver's Queen of Rhythm and Blues.

Erica moved to Colorado from Missouri in 1976 and began her professional singing career in 1984. The first band of note that she played with was Foreskin 500 and then Cherry Bomb Club. She said she has some great road trip stories with those bands... (but she isn't telling us any of them). She has since shared the stage with the likes of Tab Benoit, Kenny Neal, Delbert McClinton, Sonny Rhodes, Debbie Davies, Bernard Allison, and Larry McCray, to name a few. Her vocals were featured in the Sony Pictures movies, “The Fan”, with Wesley Snipes and Robert DeNiro in 1996.

Performers often become "larger than life." When they are up there on that stage singing our troubles away, it's easy to believe they have none of their own.

Not so. Most have had to overcome tremendous hardships on their path and Erica is no exception. In 2000, she was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer and with that came the terror that she might never sing again. As "luck" would have it, Erica landed one of the top surgeons in the country, Dr. Mona Abaza of the National Center for Voice and Speech. Then she learned to speak and sing again from her vocal coach, Ms. Kate Emerich.

Erica says that thanks to the talent of these two "amazing" women that she now sings better than before the operation. She wants Colorado vocalists to know that we have resources available in Colorado that other states don't have. The University of Colorado voice practice medical clinic is actually located within the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Lucky Erica and lucky us. The tireless performer puts in a 40 hour week at her day job, rehearses with her band, puts on public and corporate shows each week and still finds time to play out with other bands... as does the rest of her band. Her drummer, Scotty, ocassionally plays with Tommy Thomas. Scotty, and her bass player, Rich, recently worked on a commercial that is being aired in Japan.

Erica's recent accomplishements, outside her own band, include doing vocals with Frankie Lee for Dan Treanor's African Wind CD. She also did the vocals for three tracks on Homebrew's new CD, Smoke and Mirrors. In particular the song, Fandango in Paris is a masterpiece and presents a side of Erica's talent that you've never heard before.

The CD release party for Smoke and Mirrors is April 23rd from 4 to 7 pm at Ziggies Saloon.

What's Doing In Denver

Tab Benoit packed Herman's Hideaway Friday night. The New Orleans blues man played his guitar like a storybook. His smooth, deep southern tunes were compellingly profound while his bass guitar and drummer naturally rounded out his fine recipes for a belly full of blues. Benoit's fans were stretched to limit trying to get every delicious lick in full view.

Erica Brown opened for the fab Tab and what a show she put on. It made for a long night of dancing on your feet, or at least no sitting was allowed, unless you like sitting under armpits. This was a night where chairs were plentiful, standing space was not.

Xposur Magazine
CD Review of Rough Cut Stone

"...The Erica Brown Band...are on of the few genuine acts that can tap into the collective muse of a storied generation or two of blues, R&B and soul to deliver a familar comfort to lift you up."
Click here to read the whole review

Bang und Strum
A different shade of blues
The Erica Brown Band finds ecstatic salvation

American idols beware: Erica Brown will administer a vocal beat-down.
Even jaded, achingly cool hipsters have to concede that the Erica Brown Band rocks. Lacking a Scandinavian dance-punk pedigree can be a pitfall these days to the affectedly disheveled, iPodded masses, but EBB kicks out music to inspire nearly anyone: gloriously hooky and stirring blues-rock that, as Brown says, "surprises the hell out of people."

The Denver-based quintet has been cranking out well-crafted blues since 1998. Behind the laser-guided, honeyed dynamite of Erica Brown's voice, Rich Sallee (bass), Jim Ayers (keyboard and Hammond organ), Scotty Rivera (drums) and newcomer Tony Luke (guitar) share vocal duties while throwing down explosive and genuinely inventive arrangements. A favorite in Denver for years, the group is enjoying a growth of popularity in the Springs as well. Its opening slot for B.B. King at the Pikes Peak Center in 2004 has become the stuff of local legend, and a headlining appearance at last September's Hillside Gardens Blues Festival helped bolster its local reputation.

EBB's latest album, Rough Cut Stone, is a sparkling, muscular vehicle of the group's creativity. Forgoing simple 1-4-5 riffs and ego-stroking harmonica filler to avoid reworking the same old blues song, the band instead channels tight, provocative blues-rock and R&B with enough élan to make you think you've been missing out on something. Kicked off by the searing "I Spent a Month There One Night," the album showcases the band's obvious strengths, from former guitarist Bob Yeazel's effortless and startling guitar work to the somber "Bring Back the Quarters," a lesson in soulful, heartbreaking vibrato control from which American Idol wanna-bes clearly could learn.

"It's got to keep your interest," Brown says. "If you've got to play the songs every night, they better be good ones."

But EBB is known as much for its incendiary and engaging live show as for its well-earned chops.

"If someone's going to pay good money to come see you, give 'em a hell of a show," Brown says. "If you do it and do it with sincerity, people will respond. What it is our job to do is to take anybody out of their existence for a minute -- forget about the grocery list and that the dog peed on the carpet, or that you're getting a divorce -- and take you to a completely different place, a better place, and send you home with a little bit of that.

"'Puff [the Magic Dragon]' is the first song that made me cry," she says. "It's a great example of the power of a song to move you. It doesn't have to be complicated. It's just got to get you where you live. 'Amazing Grace' is the same way. The person singing is ecstatic about their salvation. That's how we try to write."

On Friday, June 3, EBB will be waxing ecstatic with the Springs' own That Band as part of the Pikes Peak Blues Community's summer schedule.

"They've constantly got it going out there, doing creative things," Brown says of the PPBC. "The community in Colorado Springs at large has really gotten us. It's a beautiful thing."

-- Aaron Retka | from the Colorado Springs Independent

Erica Brown Band – Herman’s Hideaway March 25, 2005

Whatsdoingindenver.com

Reviewed by Jan McNutt

“Funky Blues Rule!”

Erica Brown and her Band blew the house down at Herman's. Erica and the band love their music and the crowd loves them. Late shows such as this either convert into wild, over the top music and stage antics or the band members are too drunk, drugged or tired to get their gig going. Not in Brown & Band's case. They jumped, rocked and sang their popular rhythm & blues as if it were their last show on earth!

Jan McNutt

rough cut stone

BluesWax Rating: 6
Reader Rating: 5

No Rough Edges Here, (02/09/05)
Erica Brown Band has been around a while, garnering a regional following in the Rockies, and that shouldn't be a surprise. The current lineup backing Erica Brown is Bob Yeazel on guitars, Jim Ayers on keys, Rich Sallee on bass, and Scott Rivera on drums.

I like this disc because the band has a definite "sound," without relying on the same tricks to get from the opening track to the end. There's a range from clean electric Blues to ballads, fast and slow, with several of the band sharing the lead vocals with Brown.

There are few surprises, as most of the disc is typical, but top-notch, Blues-Rock and Soul with rich layers of keys, guitar, bass, and drums. There's a lot of Yeazel's guitar, with a well-timed lead on almost every track, but the band is at its best when they're showcasing their vocal prowess. They all contribute vocals throughout the set, either in backing harmonies or trading off leads.

While Erica can belt it out, it's on the low-key numbers that the restrained soulfulness of her voice stands out. This is what comes through when Erica and company dip into a couple of covers and traditional tunes.

Highlights: The acoustic slide on "Bring Back the Quarters" balances the stately vocals in a way that's unique for this disc. The best mix of the band as a whole is probably the wonderful cover of The Band's "Shape I'm In."

One low point: I wish the lyrics of "Everyman Hears Different Music" were strong enough to match the performance.

Rough Cut Stone is a bit misleading for an album this polished. The band's tight arrangements form a backdrop to Brown's understated but energetic vocals - there's barely a rough edge to smooth out.

Eric Wrisley is a contributing editor at BluesWax
BluesWax is the largest Blues publication in the world. It is delivered via email to nearly 100,000 subscribers around the world each week. It is only sent to subscribers and maintains a strict privacy policy and never shares its subscribers' information; just the Blues in your box each week. Visionation. Ltd. is the publisher of Blues Revue, BluesWax, FolkWax, and Comix View.

Erica Brown Band with B.B. King-Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Feb 13, 2004
by Erica Brown

Hi guys!!! What can I say except…”AWESOME, UNBELIEVABLE, AMAZING…(insert any superlative here!) The B.B. King show on Friday the 13th of February was one of the greatest experiences I’ve had as a musician to date. (If that’s what my Friday the 13th’s are going to be like, give me more of them!!!) The Pikes Peak Center is as acoustically perfect a venue as you are likely to visit in Colorado. I found this out when we got a standing ovation from the entire room after the show. The sound was huge!!! Chris Jacobs (of Jacobs Audio-he has worked with us before, at Hudson Gardens) was our Sound Manager and as usual, helped us deliver the crystal-clear yet musically complex sound that the EBB is known for. Jason Janc, deejay at 103.9 The Eagle was the person who initially presented us to the Promoter, and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Jason, thank you so much for thinking of us. WE LOVE YOU!! Also, thanks to afternoon DJ Tim Duffy also for the wonderful crowd introduction he and Jason did that night. Tim Beeson and Nick Huzella, (the Show Promoters!) you guys are da’ BOMB!! You made our evening so much smoother by being there for everything we needed. All the staff at the Pikes Peak Center-caterers, security, hospitality folks, everyone there deserves a big THANK YOU!!! If I missed anyone, please forgive me!!

To all our new fans in the Colorado Springs area, thank you so much for supporting the band by purchasing CD’s and T-Shirts! We will definitely be back down your way, so keep tuned to the website!

We took some great pictures backstage and on the tour bus. We will post some of them very shortly, but keep checking back, ‘cause I will be posting more pictures as I get them, so you can share this night with us! I know some of you out there were taking pictures that night too, so if you have any you’d like to share, send them to us and we’ll post them, as usual with credit to you as photographer!

I have to tell you, B.B. King is truly as genuine and kind a person as I have always heard. He was gracious enough to bring me out on stage at the end of his show and “re-introduce” me to the crowd, and then take pictures backstage after his set. When the opportunity presented itself to go and talk to him on the tour bus, I of course did not hesitate! I must also send my thanks to his Road Manager, Willie King, and his Personal Assistant, Norman Matthews, for arranging the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with the Master of the Blues.

Erica Brown Band, Rough Cut Stone (self)
February 2004, Southwest Blues Magazine www.southwestblues.com
Reviewed by Bill Fountain

Any group that can start off a CD with a tune like "I Spent a Month There One Night" is all right with me. It's a rocking song that really kicks off what you can expect from this Colorado based band. Eleven fantastic tracks. Miss Brown is a gifted vocalist. She is surrounded by a tremendously good band including Scott Rivera on drums and vocals, Rich Sallee, bass and vocals, Jim Ayers on keyboard and vocals, and Bob Yeazel on guitar and vocals. This is a great band, really tight, and they contribute a ton to the overall sound. I particularly enjoyed Bob Yeazel's compositions on the disc. Check out "Everyman Hears Different Music" written by the aforementioned Yeazel, or the title track "Rough Cut Stone". These are great tracks from a really good writer. He also plays a mean guitar. Check out his searing work on the track "Cajun Moon". Nice. Also the keyboard work on this CD is excellent. Jim Ayers does an incredible job tickling the ivories.

But back to Erica, she's been rocking in the free world, mostly Colorado, for many a year. She has shared the spotlight with blues dudes like Tab Benoit, Kenny Neal, Delbert McClinton, Debbie Davies and Larry McCray. You may have heard her singing. Her vocals were featured in the Sony Pictures movies, The Fan, with Wesley Snipes and Robert DeNiro in 1996. She is a great singer; full of energy and emotion. She really makes a song shine. Check out how she works magic on "Payin' Dues" or the beautiful way she romances the ballad "Hard Faith". I think the last track is my favorite, "In The Can". It's got a great hook and really pushes all the right buttons.

This is a good CD and well worth a listen. Check out the Erica Brown Band.
- Bill Fountain

Erica Brown Band, Rough Cut Stone, 2003

The HOLLER, December-January 2004
Colorado Blues Society, www.coblues.com
Reviewed by David McIntyre

Rough Cut Stone--a very apropos title--starts off with a bang: “I Spent a Month There One Night” is an uplifting song, albeit about a night to forget that most of us can relate to. Erica tells a great story on “Cajun Moon”; it is so believable you think you are on the Bayou, or maybe it’s the hypnotic groove or the outstanding Erica Brown Boys Choir or searing guitar work of Bob Yeazel. Yeazel is all over this CD, writing four tunes and playing at a very high level and singing like the old pro he is. Like Bob Pellegrino-who contributed a lot to Body Work, the band’s first CD-and Sundance, who also appears on this CD, it’s not the guitarist who is the glue here. Believe me, these three guys each added special music to this core. But Erica, Jim Ayers (keyboards). Rich Sallee (bass) and Scotty Rivera (drums) are the backbone of the group. They have been together for so long they sound telepathic. The arrangements, production and vocal interplay are what sets this group apart--it’s impeccable.

I find it ironic that the only cover on Rough Cut Stone is a Robbie Robertson tune, as was the only cover on Body Work. Great choices both, they turn into spun gold with Erica’s voice attached. Yeazel’s reggae-tinged “Things Are Getting Better” is one of my favorites for its infectious bounce, as is Jim Ayers’s acoustic, Rolling Stone-sounding “Bring Back the Quarters.” There is plenty to like here, folks; many styles, all good songs and wonderful ensemble playing. Erica knows she has great musicians with her and she just lets them shine. Everyone contributes here, which makes for great music throughout--no heroes, just musicians using each other to sound better.

Review: Pikes Peak Blues Community Gala

November 08, 2003

Reviewed by Bill Miller

The first time you see a legend in person, it’s unforgettable. You can read about it. You can play a CD. But until you’re in the same room with it, it doesn’t belong to you.

If you were there, you know what I mean. Debbie Davies climbed inside you and set up house.

It’s a wonderful thing that you do for yourself when you listen to live music. You get to make that final connection between the artist and their gift. It's a patch cord to your soul.

After the break, Debbie burned through a blistering display of finger and fret gymnastics. Just when you thought the air was completely sucked out of the room, she called for Erica Brown, Denver’s sensational blues diva, to join her on the stage.

The audience came out of their chairs.

Erica Brown was on fire. Her performance was jaw dropping. Debbie’s band got into it. The room got into it. I’m sure the walls are still warm from it. Standing ovation.

WESTWORD MAGAZINE
JUNE 19, 2003

Mr. Dave Herrera, new music Editor, Westword Magazine, in his inaugural issue of "The Beatdown" column of June 19, 2003, states:

You can expect me and my army of resident wordsmiths to be unflinchingly honest with our criticism and to hold every local artist to the same standards and scrutiny as the major-leaguers. Be forewarned: Just because an artist is from here doesn't mean he'll be coddled or handled with kid gloves. Not every disc that comes across my desk will get ink in these hallowed pages; the woefully mediocre will be ignored. Consider this: The worst insult to an artist is indifference. I have neither the time nor the energy to cover the ordinary.

And then closes his article with the following:
In the meantime, I'll be doing what I've always done -- listening for the artists that can be heard above a thousand voices screaming simultaneously. I may burn some bridges. I'll be telling it like it is and may hurt some feelings in the process. That's okay. I've been running out of matches since the day I was born. You never know, though; I might just turn you on to your next favorite band.

Review of the Erica Brown Band by Mr. Herrera in the same issue:

If she's ever thought of rain a day in her life or been paralyzed by gut-wrenching heartache of Sylvia Plathian proportions, you'd never know it. Her smile brightens every corner of a room. Her laughter is more infectious than doorknobs in an elementary school. She'll have you "squirting tears out your eyes" even if you didn't hear the punchline. So what, then, is Erica Brown doing singing the blues? Dropping jaws of anyone within earshot of her stellar vocals and forging a reputation as the leader of a band no one wants to follow, that's what.
The five-piece -- bassist Rich Sallee, guitarist Marc Larson, keyboard and Hammond organ player Jim Ayers, and Scotty Rivera, who shares vocal duties with Brown -- released its debut long-player, Body Work, in November 2000. The band's second effort, Rough Cut Stone, was recorded and produced at FTM studios by Steve Avedis, whom Brown credits as having "the sharpest ears in the business"; the recording was released in April and is already starting to gain momentum. As a result of its inspired performances and the accolades it has garnered in its five short years of existence - the group receives regular airplay on KUVO and KGNU and was voted number one for the month of April on KRFX's specialty show, Strictly the Blues, for the month of April - the Erica Brown Band could be thrust into the national spotlight.

Erica Brown Band
"Body Work"
Genre: blues
reviewed by Elizabeth Nitz
GoGirlsMusic.com

Colorado blues institution The Erica Brown Band puts together an amazing collection of music, old and new, on their album Body Work. Famous for spinning a crowd of people into a frenzy and keeping them dancing all night, Erica's warm, powerful voice is at its best on this record. She growls through Ike Turner's "Matchbox," staying true to the original intent of the song but adding her incredible energy. She inserts her soul into Al Greene's swinging "Love & Happiness," as she croons, "Ain't nothing wrong with being in love with someone," while the rest of the band blends backing vocals. The original song "Bodywork" is an upbeat example of Erica and guitarist Bob Pellegrino's songwriting skill. Her vocals and his guitar playfully take turns carrying the lead. "Crying and Trying" is a pure Erica-style heartbreaking blues number. She wails, "I put on a smile like everyone else but it never lasts long, I'm foolin' myself." The song brings up images of desperate folks late-night slow-dancing in a smoky bar. Erica's music is in regular rotation across America as well as Europe and South America. Body Work was honored by the Colorado Blues Society, and for good reason. This is a classic for any lover of great blues music.
Hit Picks: "Love & Happiness" and "Crying and Trying"

Erica Brown Band - "Body Work"
(Fullmoozlight) Import
11 tracks, 51 mins 20 secs.
***½
The high energy Erica Brown Band is based in Denver, Colorado. They have been together since 1998 and deliver rocking blues and soul music. The front person is powerhouse singer Erica Brown. The rest of the band is Rich Sallee (bass guitar & vocals), Jim Ayers (keyboards & vocals), Bob Yeazel (guitar & vocals) and Scotty Rivera (drums & vocals). Powerful and strong vocals, stinging guitar work, funky keyboards and a tight and solid rhythm section make up the sound of the Erica Brown Band.

"Body Work" was recorded at FTM Studios in Lakewood, Colorado. At the time of recording Bob Pellegrino was the guitarist. Kenny Neal adds his accustomed guitar work to the two originals on this release, "Crying And Trying" and the title track. Other songs are "The Weight", Ike Turner's "Matchbox", "Dynamite", "Honey Hush" and "Nothing Takes The Place Of You". When you listen to "Body Work" you'll soon get to understand why the Colorado Blues Society has been raving about these guys for years. Great stuff.
John Bates.- Australia Blues Society

GoGo Magazine

Volume 3, Issue 10
May 24 - June 6, 2001

Music

ERICA BROWN BAND: BODY WORK
Erica Brown has earned a reputation as a great lady with a great voice who works her ass off. Now that she is devoting all her energy to her new band, Brown & Co. have created Body Work, a debut 11track CD filled with fun, straight blues tunes influenced by R& B. It's "high energy rock'n blues," according to Brown, and it features a bunch of local music talents including Jim Ayers (keyboards), Rich Sallee (bass), Bob Pellegrino (guitar), and Scott Rivera (drums).

The best thing about Body Work is it showcases Brown's voice and all of its stylistic bends and curves. Her voice is strong but inviting, smooth yet rough around the edges. While the recording is professional and done well, the band takes few risks and delivers a solid contemporary blues/ rock sound. Body Work will definitely earn Brown fans among the blues friendly bars around town. Plus, her enthusiasm for the music is evident whether it's a tune she wrote or a nicely chosen cover. Rock'n blues sounds like something from the '70s ... kind of the feelgood music that spawned disco, except with blues harmonic changes and much, much more soul. Two songs were cowritten by Brown and Pellegrino, the title track and "Crying and Trying." On "Body Work," Brown reveals her strengths in the soul department, while "Crying" brings it back to more of a sassy, swinging blues reminiscent of the rhythm and blues music of the '50s.

The cover tunes are a treat because not only are they great songs in
themselves, they encompass a wide variety of styles. If Brown's band were a musically narrow ensemble, they could never pull out the Otis Reddingish "Nothing Takes the Place of You," or the fast boogie of "Honey Hush," or Al Green's "Ace in the Hole." Track six is Ike Turner's "Matchbox," which was also recently recorded by blues guitarist Johnny Lang. The song is one of those gems that romps so well through the blues form that too many versions of it can never exist. "The Weight" is another surprise, being that it is usually heard on classic rock stations around the country performed by Robbie Robertson & The Band. Brown seems to know enough not only about straight blues music but good tunes in general, and she's putting her band and voice to the test.
B --Judy B.

The Holler, Feb. - March 2001
Colorado Blues Society

The Erica Brown Band, Bodywork, 2000
Bodywork starts off with one of the finest versions of "Honey Hush" I've ever heard. Bob Pellegrino's guitar sound is extraordinary. The rest of the band-Scott Rivera, drums; Rich Sallee, bass; and Jim Ayers, keys-is very tight. What really catches my ear is their back-up vocals-a small but enjoyable touch that fills out the overall sound in a way that surprisingly few bands around here attempt. Erica's bands have always been a joy live; I was concerned that the fun live
sound wouldn't transfer to CD. Well forget that worry; Listen to
J.D. Kelly's "Dynamite" to quell those concerns, I challenge you to sit still when "Never Found a Man "comes on. It's production, I think by Stu Feldman (my only complaint about this CD is its lack of information-some pictures and length of tunes would be nice for mathematically challenged DJs),would make Berry Gordy or Willie Mitchell proud. The pure gospel sound of Erica's vocal on Robbie Robertson's "The Weight" is outstanding, I applaud her choice of this song. Most bands would shy away from such tunes. "Love and Happiness" is another song that would scare off lesser bands but is pure funky magic in the EBB's hands. You go girl! Two of my favorites are the title song (on which Kenny Neal guests and contributes to that New Orleans, second-line feel) and "Crying and Trying," the two originals Erica and Pellegrino wrote. Now that this CD has Obviously established the band I only hope for more original compositions on their next one. The disk ends with Erica's soul-dripping vocal on "Nothing Takes the Place of You." The only thing left to say is go see this exciting band live and pick up a copy of this independent release and get the gracious Ms. Brown to sign it. I expect it to be the first of many more to come.

David Mclntyre

Editor's note: Erica informs us the CD was basically self produced by committee (the band) but the final touch was by Bernie Becker-a veteran from California-who came out of retirement because he thought the project was so great.

Riff magazine, December 2000

The Erica Brown Band

By Beaver

It's Saturday night. Date-night and time for me to see another band. So, I thought I would go to a blues club called Oskar Blues in Lyons to hear The Erica Brown Band. As I entered the club, there was Erica on stage with her band of troubadours. Now, here is a woman who can sing. Plus, does she look good on that stage. She is all decked out in a beautiful stage dress of silk and beads. But, what really caught my eye, were the glass slippers on her feet. Now, this is no Cinderella. There was no turning into a pumpkin for this lady. As a matter of fact, at the stroke of midnight, the band turns it up a notch on the fun meter. The dance floor is full. The music is pulsing to that familiar R & B sound. Erica has the audience in the palm of her hand. She is crooning as the heir apparent to the crown of top blues lady in this part of the country. With smooth transitions, from slow blues to pumping, rockin blues, Erica commands the front of the stage as she directs her fine back-up band. I was up immediately with my date to dance with the rest of the revelers. This is one show that you just have to get up and move your feet.
Erica's group is one of her crown jewels. With Scott Rivera holding down the drums and singing most of the harmony vocals, he is one of the best in all of Colorado. He is the perfect compliment to Erica's voice. Their harmony is uncanny. One of the things that I like most is their duets. You know, like answering back and forth to each other in the classic blues style. First Erica, then Scotty, bringing each other to higher heights with each passing phrase. Then add in Rich Sallee's (bass) voice, with Jim Ayers' (keyboard) and, needless to say, this is one of the finest vocal bands I have seen in a long time. Erica on lead and three great male voices backing her up. What more could an old blues head like me ask for?
Well, my question was answered when it was time for the lead break. Bob Pellegrino, the guitar player, is just about the tastiest lead man I have come across in recent history While I was dancing, he took off on a lead, and all I could say was, "you're a bad boy, mister guitar player." He didn't just play the same old riffs one gets used to hearing at blues jams He pulled from a wide range of style I even heard licks from the 1940's. I swear I heard that... really.
Next was Jim, the keyboard man, playing a true Hammond organ; not some digital copy, but the real deal (I'm glad I'm not the one that has to move that monster around) Boy, can this man wail on his black and whites. Meanwhile the bass player, Rich, is holding down the thump that we all look for in the true R & B style This man is as solid as they come on his axe.
Does it sound like I got excited hearing this band? They are polished and tight. If I could possibly find a fault in this band, it would be their lack of original music. I know it might be hard to pen "hits" for a blues band, but I urge this band to take a chance and write more originals. This is truly what
separates the great bands from the good ones. And The Erica Brown Band could easily go from being a very good band to a truly great band with a few more originals. So, come on, guys. You've got it in you. Give me more originals.
With that said, I urge everyone out there to catch this act. No one will be disappointed. They are playing all the time. ..everywhere. You can look up their dates on their website. And they are fresh out of the studio with their first CD Body Work, just released locally Thanksgiving Day. It can be picked up in most local record stores or through their website. So, get out there, hold on to your partner and let your dancing feet fly with the R&B sounds of The Erica Brown Band.

LMNOP Colorado

Coco Montoya with Erica Brown, at Herman's, March 1, 2000

The Erica Brown Blues Band warmed up the crowd for Coco Montoya. Erica and her boys throw a fine party of the blues-soul variety. She struts around singing her stuff, wearing sparkly dresses like a young Tina Turner. She's got a voice to go with it. Check out Erica Brown whenever you can. - David Barber