John Brennan album "Bring It On Back To Me" Review!

Artist: John Brennan

Album: Bring It On Back To Me

Released: 2025

Website: https://www.johnbrennansounds.com/

John Brennan is a New Jersey native and man of the real blues. "Bring It On Back To Me" is his second release on the Guitar One Records imprint. It is a ten song set of classic blues and early rock and roll tracks. Brennan is a clear and unapologetic throwback in time. It seems he found music in the mid 50's and stopped somewhere around 1961. His recordings are simple and direct to the point, leaving the fluff at the door for the more modern minded artists.

Track one, Junkyard Blues is a cross between 50's rock and roll and early Fogerty compositions with a healthy dose of blues sauce dripped all over it. It has as much Howlin 'Wolf in it as it does CCR. His slide tone on the solo is spot on and his use of tremolo on the amp keeps the late 50's vibe at the forefront. Structurally the song is a straight blues cut, but it has enough classic rock and roll leanings that it's worth mentioning the influence. There is still enough blues here that it won't disappoint even the strictest traditionalist.

Brennan seems to have a real affinity for covering Elmore James classics and knocking the proverbial ball out of the park on them. On his last release he did a fantastic version of Shake Your Moneymaker. On this record the cover of the  standard It Hurts Me Too is on the same level. Part of the appeal is his ability to get the production vibe right. It's not over thought, but just executed flawlessly. The reverb is time appropropriate and the slide solo is exactly what it needs to be in all of its beautiful simplicity! 

Another cover, Baby,Please Don't Go is a standout. Again, the slide tone and playing are perfect. His guitar tone sounds like a Fender that is being driven to that sweet spot of break up that guitarists have been seeking for decades. Brennan's ability to interpret the standards in a tasteful manner, while still putting his own finger print on them is his greatest strength. He doesn't over extend vocally, but stays in his comfort zone delivering a convincing performance that isn't pretending to be someone he isn't.

This record is a delightful mix of classic covers, live cuts and originals. The covers are done with conviction, paying respect with his interpretations of the music, versus reinventing what didn't need to be reinvented. His performances all feel relaxed and unforced. Brennan seems to be a music conservationist, and he serves that role quite well. I suspect his musical tastes checked out of pop culture leanings before the British Invasion took place. Fans of the classic blues sounds of Elmore James and early rock and roll will enjoy this album for its simple beauty and tip of the hat to the sound of yester-year!