Brian Whelan

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Songwriters

Brian Whelan

To me, Brian Whelan will always be the Kid. When he first materialized several years ago at the Cinema Bar, that charmingly crowded, noisy little room in Culver City known as “The World’s Smallest Honky Tonk,” he was an alarmingly boyish presence. At first he stood out because he didn’t look old enough to legally consume the beer he was holding. But he soon distinguished himself as a young lion behind the roots-rock sages – Randy Weeks, Mike Stinson, Tony Gilkyson – whose shows packed out the tiny joint. It became quickly apparent that Brian could play just about anything, and brilliantly; his formidable chops later found him a primo spot in Dwight Yoakam’s band. But he displayed other musical dimensions: He also played in a tough little pop-rock band, known variously as the Brokedown and the Broken West, which recorded a couple of fine records before lamentably breaking up too soon. He fronted another rockin’ unit, Wheelhouse, as a prelude for the album you’re listening to now. It shows off splendidly the many things – singing, playing, writing – that Brian does so exquisitely well. And it cuts across the broad swatch of stylistic turf that he occupies effortlessly, from the rootsy inventions of Gilkyson’s “Mojave High” and Stinson’s “Brand New Love Song” to a group of originals (two of them co-authored by Broken West cohort Ross Flournoy) that to my ears bear favorable comparison to the best of Nick Lowe or the Plimsouls.

Yeah, he’s still the Kid to me. But Brian Whelan’s work is thoroughly mature and emotionally wise, and many another grown-up musician will envy its excellence.

Chris Morris Host, “Watusi Rodeo”/Scion Radio 17 Los Angeles, June 2012

Releases

Brian Whelan So Long Blue

So Long Blue

Brian Whelan Sugarland

Americana
Sugarland
The Only Thing
Suckerpunch
Go Dancing
Number 1 Fan
We Got It All
Talk to Me
Stand in Your Light
The Bottom

Brian Whelan Decider

Decider
Everything
High and Lonesome
Brand New Love Song
Mojave High
Sharp Teeth
Nickel and Dime
All Business
Who's Fooling Who?