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Robinsonin his own old rode.1 Stale University.| NON, GEORGE HARRISON,Browns Adds A Classical TwistBy KURT LASSEN Columbia Features, The,Michael Brown wandered into a West Coast cocktail lounge recently arid sat down at the piano during the “break” by the regular pianist, a local favorite for several years. Although twenty-one-year-old ■ Michael is into rock, he played popular tunes, giving them a slight twist in a kind of mimie or parody of the usual interpretations.Strong ReactionThe audience, most of them a generation removed from that of Michael and his contemporaries, reacted with enthusiasm to his impromptu and unusual performance.“It's all in the way you ‘structure1 the music,” Michael told us. Sn many musicians who try In mimic cocktail music or the classical themes don’t click because they don’t get the right blend. For example, they may hold a Bach trill loa long so that ail is out of proportion,”A classically trained pianist and harpsichordist whose formal training began when he was eight years old, Michael had jusL cimus from a recording session on a tune called ‘Love Songs In The Night” and he was obviously well pleased with the results.We worked two weeks on refining the number, trying to make it less complicated,” he explained. Usually a piece is written in ten or fifteen minutes, then constantly revised and changed until it sounds right.”Apparently Michael has been doing something right, lie gained immediate recognition in ISW5 when he began composing for and working with a group called The Left Bankc. He wrote all their songs and produced their first iwo albums. That year they had a Numberand two very successful follow-ups in Pretty- Ballerina” and Desiree”. Several critics have included Desiree” among their choices for the best rock sin* gles of all time.Although he continues to study and perform as a musician, Michael’s main interest is creating tho songs. It’s more rewarding,” he says.His own method of composing is perhaps different from that of most song writers. I don’t suddenly get an idea from something someone says or from a specific incident, then run to the piano. When I decide to compose, I sit down, work out the first few_ notes, turn on my tape recorder and go on from there,My way is more spontaneous —a kind of stream of consciousness approach,” he explains., Influence Creeps Michael recalled that ofleri a classical influence ’ creeps into his music, depending upon which artist he may have just been listening to. I may be writing rock, but if I’ve been listening to Ravel, his music keeps . coming in. The sanie thing has happened with Gershwin.” .A veteran of the commercial music business for six years, Michael would not advise anyone who is highly sensitive., or too fragile” to try it as a ca-One hitIn “Walk Away Renee” I reer. “When I was sixteen, IMichael Brownhad to make a decision whether I intended to practice at the piano for eight hours a day and end up probably obscure and who knows where,- or go into rock, I decided I wanted' to be known—and I wanted to communicate my feelings in music,”Michael admits that in conversation he communicates beL ter with people on subjects suchas astronomy than on politics or. world affairs. He sees thetatter as transitory and not as Important historically as the great scientific discoveries. lie has just been reading a new book, -'The ABCs .Of Relativity.”While' he stresses his belief that one has to be callous” in order to te a .successful rock and roll musician, 11 is.,apparent that Michael Brown Is not so at all. He is sensitive andconcerned about his art. *H« Is ak.» very successful. *.
Newspaper Details
Nashua Telegraph
Nashua, New Hampshire, US
Sat, Feb 06, 1971
Page 6
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USA 13 Jul 2021
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