Music, Video and Concert Reviews
Modern Guitars Magazine Column by Brian D. Holland

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'Brad Wilson' by Brad Wilson  (August 11, 2005) The music of Brad Wilson, who once headed the blues-rock band Stone (in honor of Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard), has been featured in John Carpenter’s last two films and soundtracks. The NBC soap, Passions, has been using his music for years. He has steadily toured nationally, and has opened for numerous top names in the music business, including Tonic, Paula Cole, Cheap Trick, .38 Special, Derek Trucks, Walter Trout, and Coco Montoya. All Access Music Awards in Los Angeles voted him ‘Best Songwriter’ twice, and LA’s Rock City News Awards voted him ‘Best Blues Group/Artist’ three times. But enough with his credits, his 2003 release says it all. Brad Wilson’s self-titled CD is high powered and energetic guitar-fronted rock and roll. He refers to his blues-rock style as American music. Much of the lyrics are of his road travels and abundant U.S. tours. His playing styles and tones are similar to that of Gary Moore, Robin Trower, Rory Gallagher, Steve Marriott, Paul Kossoff, Warren Haynes, and well, I could go on and on naming the great influences I hear in Brad Wilson’s music. His playing is fluid, heavy, and bursting with flavor. His voice is as soulful as Warren Haynes and Edwin McCain. And though much of his music is reminiscent of other players, Brad’s a stylist all his own, too. It’s just that you can tell he has been paying attention to good music over the years; that fact flows out of each cut on the CD. The opener, ‘Black Coffee At Sunrise’, has Brian Setzer-like riffs and Commander Cody-ish vocals. At first listen, those new to Brad Wilson might think it’s the CD's target, yet the second cut, ‘Sundown And The Cowboy’, belts with Rory Gallagher authority and Scott Gorham tone. ‘Rocket’ is a powerful, rocked up cut, beat laden with thunderous chords. ‘The Healer’ rocks in a Trower vein. ‘Southern Cali Girl’ is a love story in distinctive American rock and roll fashion. His voice is reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen on this one. ‘House Of Love’ is hard driving rock and roll. ‘Two Belong’ has a steady rhythmic flow. The guitar is crisp and clear, and the vocal is as soulful as James Dewar in the early Trower days. In my opinion, Brad Wilson is too damn good to ignore. It’s riff laden, hard driving, and high-spirited American rock. The songs are consistent throughout. From the point of view of a longtime rock guitarist, one who loves the lead laden, soulful blues/rock of the 70s and 80s, the whole album is a breath of fresh air. Brad’s a guitarist to take into account. Check his CD out. Brad recorded the CD using his Gibson guitars (though mainly a Les Paul player, he plays Strats as well) and Mesa Amps.