Sunday, October 20, 2013

Charles Brauer - Home & Away LP

Awhile back my friend Kyle asked me to make a digital rip of this 1982 private press LP as a favor to his uncle, who was a good friend of the musician, who has since passed away. A very homespun pastiche of traditional folk, country, and bluegrass sounds interspersed with readings of Brauer's own poems and stories. The songs have a warm and relaxed atmosphere with Brauer's guitar and vocals joined in places by a revolving group including fiddle, banjo, mandolin, string bass, and clarinet. I've found almost no information on the internet, except that he appears to have made at least 2 other very rare albums, Out in the Open (1972), and Blue Sky & Scraped Knuckles (1974). I'd love to hear those if anyone has them.

Home and Away

6 comments:

Chad Wilson said...

I was excited to find a sealed copy of this album at Goodwill a couple of weeks ago. I just listened to it the other night, and especially liked his version of "Rank Stranger".

iggy said...

Thanks so much. I'm looking forward to listening. I'm enjoying your blog.

Iggy

Mark said...

Nice find, Chad! And I agree, I also enjoy the cover of "Rank Stranger".

Iggy, thanks for the kind word. Cheers!

xyxx said...

Does anyone have any more info on the life and career of Charles Brauer? I agree, it's hard to find anything on the internet. Any leads would be welcome!

Anonymous said...

I believe he had a kid's television show in Wisconsin as well, but I haven't found anything about it online. He went sailing across Lake Michigan with his dog in 1985; a storm rolled through and that's the last he was seen. His boat was found washed up on the shores of Wisconsin. Rumor has it, they later found a book amongst his possessions entitled "How To Disappear"...
Anyway, a lucky owner of all his music, I set up this YouTube channel where you can listen to it:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChgUGoslutBxDj2w2w2YxJg
Granted, the sound quality isn't always great. Nothing sounds as good as the original vinyl, so I also did a bit of scrounging and put links to purchase the albums from various sellers in the About tab for the channel.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the links Anonymous. I've purchased all three and look forward to hearing them. I knew Chuck in the 60s; we were confirmed at the same church and I remember his Dad and Grandpa well. We went to the same high school but I never saw him again after that.