Bob Brunning Discussion

[sjpdg]

Originally Posted by chriskisn

Given the discussion about Danny Kirwan, I thought maybe we could switch the spotlight onto one of the most prolific yet most ignored members of Fleetwood Mac, Mr Bob Brunning.

Bob may have only been the bass player with Fleetwood Mac for a few short weeks, but he did write a book, play with Danny Kirwan and Mick Fleetwood in Tramp, and even had Peter Green play on a Brunning Sunflower album (Trackside Blues).

For those playing at home, here is an approximation of the Bob Brunning discography

FIVE'S COMPANY
The Ballad Of Fred the Pixie - 1969

BRUNNING SUNFLOWER
Bullen Street Blues - 1968
Trackside Blues - 1969
I Wish You Would - 1970
Brunning Hall Sunflower Blues Band - 1971

TRAMP
Tramp - 1969
Put A Record On - 1974

DE LUXE BLUES BAND
Live at the Half Moon, Putney - 1981
A Street Car Named De Luxe - 1981
Urban De Luxe - 1983
Motorvating - 1988
Deluxe Blues Band - 1988
The De Luxe Blues Band - 1994
Bob Brunning's Deluxe Blues Band - 1997
Blues Amongst Friends - 2003


Yes Bob was obviously running out of album titles by the time he got to the latter stages of his career!

Most of these albums have been deleted with the exception of some of the Brunning Sunflower stuff that still seems to be floating around.

Personally I quite enjoy Brunnings work, especially when Dave Kelly and Jo-Ann Kelly were on vocals on the Tramp albums. I also like the boogie woogie piano of Bob Hall. I actually was looking at a Bob Hall site the other night and noticed that it says "Over the years Bob (Hall) has made (literally) hundreds of recordings..." Ok that is getting a little off topic I know but I wonder how he finds the time? Wouldn't you hate to be a Bob Hall collector?

I have to admit that my favourite stuff is from the Tramp era, it was almost like another Fleetwood Mac version with Mick, Danny and Bob Brunning. Both Tramp and Brunning Sunflower contained light-hearted songs such as "I Met This Bird In Playboy", "Paternity Orders (keep on rollin' in)", "Now I ain't A Junkie Anymore" and the like. You get the impression that they were just bunch of guys (plus Jo-Ann Kelly) just having a good time and not taking things too seriously.

Strangely enough the more recent music sounds more like a resident band at the blues club than a professional outfit (though they sound like a good band at a good blues club). It also seems (and maybe this is just my impression) that the De Luxe Blues Band is more of a cover band than Brunning Sunflower was.

If you haven't heard Brunning's stuff then you should probably start with Tramp and Brunning Sunflower albums where the gems can be found.

However, for those of you who have taken the time to listen to Bob's stuff, what do you think? Do you have a favourite period of Brunning? Oh and while we are talking about Bob, do you think he should even be considered a true member of FM given that he only made it on to about three FM songs.

If anyone wants any of the albums that are no longer available let me know and I'll post them up here (the Tramp albums were posted up a couple of days back I think).

Far be it from me to ever say someone hasn't got talent. I'm not a bass player, nor a professional musician (mainly a "hack" at the drums and I don't know that I'd even go that far since I've not played in ages) so for this thread, I will only make the following comment:

He's tried to make a minor career of his short-lived membership with the Mac. It's actually quiet sad in my opinion.