Ken Brown, a seasoned veteran of the Ontario folk scene, works regularly as a producer, teacher, and performer. He has produced six CD's to date, and has toured throughout North America and Britain with the Celtic duo Anderson & Brown. Drawing material primarily from Celtic sources, he's know both for his superb ability to flat-pick fiddle tunes on the guitar and his ability to sing old songs and unaccompanied ballads. He is currently at work on a recording project with American clawhammer banjo and fingerstyle guitarist Ken Perlman.

On Letters from Home (1997) Brown has put together a solo recording of tunes he has picked up over the years. As soon as you hear the opening bars of "Indian Lass" you know that this album is not another knock-off of Celtic standards. Though the tunes may be familiar, the arrangements are unusual, thoughtful, and subtle. Interwoven between Brown's catchy guitar rhythms and dancing flute, the lyrics come at you from a direction you haven't heard before. Songs like "Marianne" and "Rattlin' Roarin' Willie" take on a dark mystery that are unlike the standard interpretations. Brown's arrangements are as smooth and intimate as single-malt scotch. These are sippin' songs that you can listen to over and over, experiencing different nuances of flavour each time. Recommended.

Letters from Home
1997 Fergus Group (NHC-401)

Indian Lass; John Barleycorn; Learn to Behave; Marianne; How Can I Keep from Singing; Poor Man's Wine; Star of County Down; Glencoe; Rattlin' Roarin' Willie; Gallant Soldier; Spring 44:18