Blue Rose Cafe
A Reunion & Tribute To Pat Long
© 2004 Big Medicine Records (781847100527)
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This Oklahoma band paints with a rich brush stroke across country, folk, rock, bluegrass and swing to name a few genres in a cutting edge style that still rings true today nearly thirty years later.
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BLUE ROSE CAFE
A Reunion and Tribute to Pat Long
Led by singer-songwriter Kevin Welch, who's penned #1 hits for Garth Brooks, with keyboardist Gary Johnson (Del Shannon, Conjunto Jardín), drummer Mike McCarty (Holy Modal Rounders) and bassist Steve Grunder (John Arnold Band), this reunion of the seminal mid-'70s band honoring its fallen lead singer distills the spirit - not only rootsy and rockin' but yearning and poignant - of Blue Rose Café's unique brand of progressive country-rock that was a precursor to today's alt-country and Americana genres.
(LINER NOTES)
It was 1975 and the Norman, Oklahoma-based band Blue Rose Café was on the cutting edge of the progressive country/rock sound that was popular in the American Southwest. Five young Okie musicians, Pat Long, Kevin Welch, Gary Johnson, Mike McCarty and Steve Grunder, got together and decided to mix country, folk, rock and pop styles with a little swing, jazz, bluegrass and blues influence to create music that still sounds fresh today, some 27 years later. Long was the lead singer and principal songwriter, Welch held down the lead guitar duties, Johnson played keyboards and the rhythm section was Grunder on bass and McCarty on drums. Welch and Johnson also sang lead on occasion, but it was really Pat Long's band, featuring his own songs and many written by the band's mentor, John Hadley - then an art professor at the University of Oklahoma. The band did a lot of others songs as well, introducing listeners to many great songwriters such as Willis Alan Ramsey, Bill Caswell, Kinky Friedman, John Hiatt and Woody Guthrie, all included on this disc. But it is on Pat's songs and the others he sang that the band really found its identity and that is what we need to remember now.
On a hot August Oklahoma night, the four surviving original members, along with Norman musicians and a few special guests, re-created those days with a performance that was both exciting and healing. In front of over 200 friends and fans, the band gave Pat a fitting goodbye on his songs "I'll Be Seeing You Sometime," "Separate Waves," "I Wish I Was Home," "Long Way to Travel," and "You'll Never Be Alone," as well as on a handful of cover songs that Long brought to the band.
What you hold in your hands now has to qualify as the very first Blue Rose Café record, but let's not mistake this for only nostalgia. Pat Long's songs deserve a listen by the countless roots and singer/songwriter fans who today come hear Kevin Welch on a regular basis. Now, when Welch sings John Hiatt's "Train to Birmingham," as he does on most nights in clubs, coffeehouses and festivals all across the world, it will be in tribute to his dear friend. Without Pat Long's life there never would have been a Blue Rose Café, and without his death this album never would have had to be made. But it did have to be made. For Pat, for Kevin and Mike and Gary and Steve and everyone who ran with the crazy circus that was Blue Rose Café. And most of all for Pat's parents, Jack and Barbara, and for his kids, Olivia and Cassie.
In my 30 years in music, I have never been so moved as I was on the night this recording was made, and hearing it back now only makes it better. Even if you never knew Pat or heard Blue Rose Café, listen to this recording with your heart wide open, maybe on a warm summer night or early fall morning, both of which reflect the beauty that was this band. I plan to listen to it again right now over a nice warm cup of coffee on the porch of the Blue Door, a place that could never have happened without the spirit of Blue Rose Café.
Greg Johnson
The Blue Door
Oklahoma City
reviews
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Blue Rose Cafe
author: Bruce KLemMy wife met Kevin Welch back in the 70's. She and her best friend spent a weekend with the band.They fell in love with their music. We have many Kevin Welch CD's. We love everyone of them and wish we could see him in concert.We live in Indiana so its kinda hard. We were sorry to hear of the bands loss, the Blue Rose CD is wonderful. Thank you guys so much for getting back together. God Bless all of you on your journey through life.
It will make you smile through tears
author: glennI was in Dallas playing bluegrass about the time Blue Cafe was playing. Ran across the music on Whole Wheat Radio and went to website. The story alone made it impossible not to try the CD. It has been in my pickup CD player for a week. Incredible: the music, the story, and your own happy memories that this CD will bring
- author: AnnMarie Harrington
Although Blue Rose Cafe wasn't known much beyond the Oklahoma region they played, at long last this tribute very rightly brings to light a little known, but immensely talented band whose music has remained both first rate and timeless. Kevin Welch long ago proved himself a stellar songwriter, singer and musician in his own right, and he's in top form here along with the equally talented John Arnold, who also shares the lead vocal duties. The musicianship and harmony vocals by the entire BRC band (made up of both original BRC members and friends) are nothing short of breathtaking as the tribute moves through a brilliant, often moving mix of styles and tempos that range from waltzing ballads to two-steppers and even a jazzy jam. Their choice of covers is strong and impeccable, but it's the late Pat Long's strong, original songs that truly stand out.
Fabulous - sounds like old times!
author: Nancy EddyI was pleased to find this CD on a trip to OKC last summer, although not the circumstances that caused its recording. It took me back to the High Horse Tavern and dancing the night away to Blue Rose Cafe. It's the first CD in my clip, and I listen at least once a day. It's amazing considering how much time has passed, but the artists were able to capture the full flavor of the band as it was.
I can't stop listening
author: Gary G.I bought this CD a few months ago after hearing a few cuts on Whole Wheat Radio. I enjoyed it the first few times I played it. As I played it more often, I realized that every song tells a great story. It wasn't until I helped a friend move halfway across the country that I realized how much I love this album. With endless hours on the road, I found I kept reaching for this CD, and we had about thirty available to us. What a great CD, and the fact it's a live recording is even better!
I felt at knew the Blue Rose Cafe
author: maggie RobertsonEvery song touched me to the core. It is almost un bearably beautiful - the lyrics being so poignant and relevant. I have almost worn out the album and it gets better every time I hear it as the dimensions of all the instruments becomes clearer. I just love it to bits.
great recordings, great songs, very moving
author: steveSounds just like a Saturday night in Norman, 1976. The songs are still great and the quality of the live recording is outstanding. I don't know how much they rehearsed but they sound like they never stopped playing together. Buy it, you'll love it.
A moving , crisp and smooth collection of poignant stories. It's a gem
author: Margaret RobertsonThis music is easy listening and clearly a combination of top class musicians. I loved all the lyrics and the stories, and the flow of the tracks and really enjoy playing it over and over again.
Exceptional and exceptionally moving
author: The Oklahoma GazetteAn exceptional and exceptionally moving tribute to one of Oklahoma's musical veterans. It's well worth picking up.
Timeless music captured by a high quality live recording.
author: David SteelyFor many Normanites in the mid-seventies, BRC represented great music. Hearing this CD not only brought back wonderful memories but confirmed why I enjoyed their music then and still do today. It is a timeless set captured by a high quality live recording. I will enjoy for years to come.
Heartfelt, soulful & rockin'... Great sounding live CD!
author: Nancy K. DillonHaving been seated front row center at the BRC Tribute Concert in Norman last summer and in attendance at many of those magical music-filled nights in Oklahoma, Colorado & environs during BRC's heyday, I certainly don't qualify as an unbiased reviewer. That being said, the CD, "Blue Rose Cafe - A Reunion & Tribute To Pat Long", came as a sweet surprise in being so true to the spirit and quality of last August's Reunion/Tribute show. It also captures the same feeling and spirit of community of those beloved sounds & souls connecting at a particular point in time and then spinning out inspiration in all directions. Here is a batch of killer songs and powerful performances. To hear how much vitality and relevance this music still has today is pretty damn cool.
A great tribute and a great CD
author: ColetteThis live CD of a reunion in honor of a lost comrade is a brilliant tribute both to him and to the range of great music and musicians that's missing from radio. This is what good songwriting is all about--aching and yearning, loss and redemption, painting vivid pictures in your mind with a strong sense of "home" throughout. You can hear the seeds here that influenced Kevin Welch's future songwriting, and his voice has never sounded better. John Arnold, who shares singing led with Kevin, is just as good. I just wish I'd heard these guys the first time around!