REVIEWS/PRESS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews/Mentions

 

symbol Joy Kills Sorrow — Facebook Mention

“Everyone should check out the McTell Brothers! They’re an awesome and adorable twin duo that is killing it right now, opening for us in Easton!”

 

symbol What Weekly Magazine photos by Phillip Laubner, story by Matt Kelley

symbolStation North Fall Music Festival

Matt Kelley writes, “The McTell Brothers once again visited North Avenue to let us know they are some of the best blues guitar players around and that age should never be a measure by which to judge ones musical prowess.”

       Enjoy the whole story about the fun event which has the scoop on the        incredible musicans and artists showcased by great photos.

 

symbol The Mystiqueros Blog

August showed up with a treat — the McTell Brothers opened for The Mystiqueros at Cyclops in Baltimore. The Mystiqueros are incredible songwriters.
Check out their blog post which uses McTell Bs former name J & B Blues Project.

 

symbol What Weekly Magazine Story and Photos by Phillip Laubner

       symbolMusic Fog at Cyclops

       Phillip Laubner writes, “The McTell Brothers who started the evening, are a
       pair of down-to-earth but kick-ass blues, folk and rock players. If you close
       your eyes and just listened you might think they were seasoned old pros
       rather than fourteen year old fraternal twins.”

       Read the whole story about the evening which includes Music Fog creators        Jessie Scott and Jim McBean along with great photos.

 

symbol Review

In the history of American musical tradition there exists a rich tapestry of innovation and thievery. It’s been said that without thievery, there would be no art since so many musical motifs are borrowed and adapted to create a new sound. Then every so often, something completely novel and unexpected emerges from that background, drawing from the well of experience of those that have come before, yet bringing it together with distinct originality. Enter Jeff and Brian Brown-Hill, fraternal twins who are potentially two of the most talented and unique emerging young artist of the day.

At around seven years of age, Brian and Jeff began taking guitar lessons. From the onset, they were admittedly, completely hooked. Soon they began learning songs of their own accord, first Creedence Clearwater Revival and then Stevie Ray Vaughan. Perhaps it was through some process of musical osmosis or cellular memory, regardless of how, the spark was struck and the fire lit. The continuity of their musical forbearers had grafted itself onto these two boys. They quickly moved into the works of Bob Dylon, the music of Richard Thompson, Robert Johnson, Neil Young, Steve Earle and The Band, leading them into a time of astonishingly rapid musical growth. By age nine they played their first open mic. At that point the die had been cast and a clear path set before them.

Jeff and Brian play both acoustic and electric guitar. They sing and harmonize together quite well. Yet at their current age of 14, they play with a level of skill and mastery that many musicians three times their age would give anything to posses. It’s not only the skill with which they play, but the emotional intensity that they express while playing. These two young men have somehow inherited a massive amount of soul ... organically grown, naturally occurring raw potential. Their choice of material underscores a highly evolved musical discernment ... and being only 14, they have plenty of room to grow. Where they go from here is anyone’s guess, yet if their current trajectory is any indication, these two may be destined for greatness.

You won’t find them written up in Rolling Stone or Esquire, but give it awhile ... and pay close attention. At the beginning of a skyrocketing arc, in the nascent stages of evolution, the McTell Brothers possess the skill and integrity to garner critical acclaim far into the future. In their own words, when asked why they do what they do, the immediate answer was, “because we love it, and can’t imagine doing anything else.” The fact that they have a heartfelt passion for music is evident in everything they perform. Indeed, why do anything else?

Ignore them at your own peril!

Sam Pacetti