''Freak Flag'' is an album by
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
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folk
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singer/guitarist
Greg Brown, released in 2011. The album peaked at number 34 on ''Billboard's''
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers are "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. The Heatseekers Albums and the Heatseekers Songs charts were introduced by ''Billboard'' in 1991 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new an ...
chart.
The original Minneapolis sessions for ''Freak Flag'' were ended by a disastrous lightning strike to the recording studio that destroyed all the tracks recorded. Brown went to Memphis and replaced all the songs save the title track in re-recording the album.
Reception
Music critic Mark Deming wrote in his
Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...
"... these songs find him very much in his element, marrying sly but heartfelt vocals to slinky melodies that split the difference between folky simplicity and bluesy grit... here his vocals aren't as strong a vehicle for his songs as they once were. It doesn't seem as if Brown is the least bit worried about this, but Freak Flag is one album where his take-it-or-leave-it attitude starts to fail him, at least as far as his voice is concerned."
Stuart Henderson on ''
Popmatters
''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, fi ...
'' called the album "a disappointing set of sleepy songwriting featuring even sleepier production values. Though there are inevitable moments of shiny genius— there can be no doubt that at his best Greg Brown is among the finest writers and performers of his generation—there are far more moments too easily forgotten."
Track listing
All songs by Greg Brown unless otherwise noted.
# "Someday House" – 2:38
# "Where Are You Going When You're Gone" – 3:43
# "Rain & Snow" – 2:41
# "Freak Flag" – 4:18
# "Lovinest One" – 2:46
# "I Don't Know Anybody in ThisTown" – 3:26
# "Flat Stuff" – 4:40
# "Mercy Mercy Mercy" – 3:18
# "Let the Mystery Be" (
Iris DeMent
Iris Luella DeMent (born January 5, 1961) is an American two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and musician . DeMent's musical style includes elements of folk, country and gospel.
Early life
DeMent was born in Paragould, Arkansas, the 14 ...
) – 4:04
# "Remember the Sun" – 4:18
# "Tenderhearted Child" – 4:50
Personnel
*Greg Brown – vocals, guitar, harmonica
*Bo Ramsey – guitar, vocal harmony
*Richard Bennett – guitar
*
Mark Knopfler
Mark Freuder Knopfler (born 12 August 1949) is a British singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Born in Scotland and raised in England, he was the lead guitarist, singer and songwriter of the rock band Dire Straits. He pursued a s ...
– guitar
*Steve Hayes – drums, percussion
*Jon Penner – bass
*David Mansfield – strings
*Ricky Peterson – Hammond B3
Production notes:
*Bo Ramsey – producer
*John Hampton – engineer
*Ray Kennedy – engineer, mastering, mixing, shaker
*Jason Gillespie – assistant engineer
*Ross Harvey – assistant engineer
*Tom Tucker – engineer, mixing
*Tod Foley – art direction, design
*Jim Herrington – photography
References
{{Authority control
Greg Brown (folk musician) albums
2011 albums
Yep Roc Records albums