Norris-Brown

‘Following the death of his partner Ingrid Brown in 2010, Adrian Norris has honoured her magnificent folk-rock voice by completing the four tracks that make up As If an EP credited to Norris-Brown. Deeply moving, even without the back-story, and thoroughly deserving of full release.’

Rock’n’Reel magazine review



When you listen to As If the plush EP by Norris-Brown, think of a shooting star.
The beauty of the four songs on the EP is not just spectacular but one-of-a-kind in a very true sense. Sadly, vocalist Ingrid Brown who teamed with guitarist Adrian Norris to create this gorgeous music, died a few years ago. But her passion and musical brilliance live on in her music including on the four songs on this EP.

It’s always trite to compare any vocalist to the late, great Sandy Denny whose vocals were truly peerless, but Brown’s style — specifically the earnestness with which she sings — is more in keeping with Denny than many other contemporary singers perhaps excluding Stevie Nicks (whose song “Rhiannon” Brown covered on other recordings). Indeed, many vocalists, notably Frank Sinatra, credit their prowess with not just reading but embodying the lyrics of songs. One can’t help but believe Brown was among those elite who spiritually lived the lyrics of the songs she chose to sing.

A listener needn’t be a musician or even a particularly astute student of sound to hear this genius in Brown’s vocals. Accompanied by Norris’ lilting acoustic guitar and instrumentation by other first-rate players including Lesley Turner (violin), Matt Foundling (piano), James Banner (bass), and Daniel O’Brien (cello), Brown allowed her vocals float above the music. Think of sunshine sparkling on water and you’ll understand how her voice accents the instrumentation as she sings about the unexpected and delightful shock of love on “Love Kicks Down the Door.”
It's easy to dwell on the loss of such a great musical talent as Ingrid Brown. Let's hope that listeners instead choose to remain grateful for the opportunity to continually hear her music on records including As If.

By Nancy Dunham, Folking.com

http://folking.com/as-if-by-norris-brown/#more

'Some voices just strike you – when you first hear them you’re captured by their charisma. And the late Ingrid Brown had one of those voices – listen to the EP “As If’ from Norris-Brown to hear just how spectacular.

The eponymous title track on ‘As If’ is one of the most powerful moving songs you’re likely to hear as Ingrid pours so much of herself into the lyrics. Her voice then creates an evocative feeling of expansive enchantment within ‘How Do I Run’. And should you want to lose yourself then let the frailty of ‘Cast Me away’ slide over you, while the wonderful energy of ‘Kicked Down The Door’ compels you to listen.

I’ll pause here to give you a bit of background … Norris-Brown – Ingrid Brown (vocals) and Adrian Norris (guitar) – formed in 1992 when Ingrid answered Adrian’s advertisement for a vocalist. As it happens Ingrid had the vocal range, depth and quality to express Adrian’s songs to perfection. Playing mostly self penned and traditional folk songs they played as Pocketstone before adopting the name Norris-Brown. In early 2006 Ingrid was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy and if that was not enough, Adrian’s right hand suffered a nerve condition that affected his guitar playing. Despite these setbacks, in early 2010 Norris-Brown started rehearsing once more, however Ingrid’s cancer returned and she sadly passed away that June at the tender age of 46.

There exists, however a collection of Norris-Brown songs and Adrian has released the four song taster ‘As If’ EP as a prelude to getting those songs developed and produced as a lasting tribute to Ingrid’s talent. Along with Ingrid’s vocals and Adrian’s guitar, some great musicians added their abilities to ‘As If’ including Lesley Turner (violin) Matt Foundling (piano) James Banner (electric and double bass) and Daniel O’Brien (cello). If that collection of songs has anything like the presence and power of this EP (and I’m sure they do) they deserve the skills of a fine producer and the talents of eminent musicians.

On hearing ‘As If’ producers and musicians should beat a path to Adrian’s door - if they don’t I’ll be amazed. You can hear more of Ingrid’s voice on soundcloud.com/norris-brown. And when you visit the website just listen to the live version of ‘Rhiannon’ to hear Ingrid’s talent at work.'

Tim Carroll, Folkwords.com

http://www.folkwords.com/reviewarchive_89250.html
 

“Ingrid has her own mature individuality and style; she sings clearly and in turn powerfully then delicately. Adrian’s musicianship is subtle: for instance the first track sounds like he’s playing mountain dulcimer, and the second is rather like a finger-picked six string bass.”
Folk On magazine.

“Pocketstone arrive with a glowing reputation and deliver a powerful message in song. You can tell at a glance that these two are completely at one with each other and this certainly rubs off on their audience. Their style is all their own and is particularly impressive.”
Unplugged Club, Tamworth Arts Centre.

“Ingrid and Adrian are an acoustic guitar duo from the heart of the Midlands, representing what quality contemporary song writing is all about. With a mix of their own versions of some classic songs and with many key appearances they deserve recognition.”
S. Robinson, Lichfield Folk Festival

“The glorious voice and superb guitar playing surely make Pocketstone one of the most talented duos on the circuit.”
D. Phillips, Folk In The Barn, Oxford.

“I had no hesitation in booking the clear and powerful vocals of Ingrid Brown and the top class guitar playing of Adrian Norris: catch them if near.”
M. Dilley, The White Hart, Derbyshire.