Brian BerthiAume

While watching Brian Berthiaume play in Concrete Buddha at uptown New Orleans night clubs, when I was 16-17 years old, he was no less than an adult, professional Rock and Roll musician, with a actual Gibson Les Paul. I was still essentially graduating from beating on pots and pans.

Brian is one of the most animated people around but when he records with me he becomes trance- like… centered with his guitar and effects. More so than anyone I can think of, it’s always a disciplined and measured offering… I’m grateful to producer Steve Daffner who called Brian “a master of guitar tone” and prompted me to ask Brian to record a few years ago. Brian has been exceedingly generous with his time for me ever since.

Brian’s enthusiasm and sensitivity around all aspects of music are intoxicating. Conversations during our sessions are full- blown, live edutainment, as he unravels relevant music theory, connecting dots on musical lineage as relates to what he is hearing and his approach with the music.

Scott Guion says of Brian “Always real- time and appropriate, Brian knows what sounds right. He knows what frequencies will work. He knows what effects are going to balance. His depth of knowledge, and intense personality and comedy come through in his playing. His own unique style persists, even as he channels all of the electric guitar giants…

Upon me once asking Brian about his guitar influences, he responded in a hyper-informed stream of conscious, and nearly without pause: “Les Paul, Hank Garland, Tommy Bolin, Mick Ronson, Dicky Betts, Glenn Cambell, Roy Clark, Robert Fripp, Todd Rungren, Steve Howe, Johnny Marr, Robbie Kreiger, Andy Summers, Adrien Belew, Greg Lake, Ted Nudget, Steve Marriot, Brian May, Ron Ashton, Greg Ginn, Steve Jones, George Harrison, Earl Slick, Albert King, Albert Collins BB King, Elmore James, Buddy Guy, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Muddy Waters, Freddy King, Robert Johnson Otis Rush Otis Taylor, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Ike Turner, the one and only Clarence Gatemouth Brown, fucking Johnny Winter, Frank Marino, Martin Barre, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Peter Green, Roy Buchanan, Scotty Moore, Cliff Gallop, Lefty Frizzell, Carl Perkins, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed was a real badaas, Albert Lee, Alvin Lee, Frank Zappa, Peter Frampton, Joe Walsh, Black Bird McNight, Rory Gallagher, Robin Trower Jim Capaldi… and I have missed a few”