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Articles and quotes about John by writers,
journalists, musicians and friends.
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John Beland on His
High-Strung Tacoma Chief
By
Adam St. James
| June, 2006
WHO?
John Beland’s email
handle is “sessionman,”
and with good reason. In
a career spanning five
decades he has laid down
countless tracks behind
many a legend, including
Ricky Nelson, the
Bellamy Brothers, Linda
Ronstadt, Gene Vincent,
Arlo Guthrie, Kris
Kristofferson, Dolly
Parton, and Ry Cooder.
Since 1980 Beland has
piloted the Flying
Burrito Brothers (he
says the band hung it up
in 2000, but there’s
always hope of a
reunion), while
continuing to record
with and produce dozens
of artists. Among his
producing credits are
the first country record
ever cut in Mainland
China, and some of the
final tracks by Buck
Owens and Waylon
Jennings.
Read the whole article
HERE:
or click the link below.
Frets - John Beland on His High-Strung
Tacoma Chief |
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"
I used John
on all of my
songwriting demos.
Now, I'm lucky if I
can get him at all.
He's the best!"
Dewayne Blackwell
(writer of "Friends
In Low Places", "I'm
Mr. Blue" and "I'm
Gonna Hire A Wino."
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"John's
an
amazing
musician
who
always
comes up
with the
perfect hooks
and
signature
riffs
whenever
he is on
a
session.
He and I
have
been
best mates
for 4
decades,
and I
can
truly
say
there is
nobody
better."
Brian
Cadd
(Legendary
singer
songwriter
and
Australian
superstar
recording
artist) |
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John is
a one of
a kind
guitarist
who has
become a
great
songwriter
in
recent
years.
His
talent
will one
day be
looked
upon as
exceptional."
JIMMY
BOWEN
(President
of MCA,
Capital
Records
and
Warner
Brothers
Records,
and
producer
of
Frank
Sinatra,
George
Strait,
The
Oakridge
Boys &
Reba
McIntire.) |
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Jimmy Bowen. |
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Simply put the music is
great. While Beland
indeed kept the band's
original spirit alive,
he wisely updated the
vision, resulting in the
finest contemporary
country music of the
time. Songs such as 'She
Belongs To Everyone But
Me' just have the
special Burritos quality
but with a commercial
edge that all previous
lineups lacked in great
measure. It is my
considered opinion that
the Beland releases were
the finest in the band's
long history.
BURRITOMAN / AMAZON.COM |
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Chris Webbe
& JB onstage
in Brisbane,
Australia.
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“I
have
done
4
albums
with
John
and
his
natural
instinct
for
what
works
for
an
artist
makes
him
a
pivotal
asset
for
any
country
music
project.
That
and
his
wonderful
guitar
work
made
these
projects
successful
for
all
the
artists
and
both
pleasurable
and
memorable
for
me”
Chris
Webbe
Producer
/
Performer
Australia
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Beland himself is a
first - rate singer
- songwriter (just
listen to his vocals
on "San Fernando
Road" and Patton's
rendition of his
nostalgia laden
title track). In
addition I was
astonished to note
that Beland himself
served with one
Glenn Frey and J.D.
Souther in the
pre-Eagles
Longbranch
Pennywhistle, as
well as stints with
Linda Ronstadt and
Rick Nelson - his
credentials are
first - rate. The
jangling guitars are
reminiscent of
California Country
Rock at its best.
customer /
amazon.com |
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“I've
heard
more
good
music,
told
more
good
stories
and
laughed
harder
and
longer
with
John
than any
other
person
in the
world. I
love
this
guy, and
if you
get to
know him
you will
too.
I've
know,
respected
and
admired
John for
so many
years
that it
seems
like
forever,
and
that's
ok with
me"
Larry
Murray
(legendary
producer,
hit
songwriter,
founding
member
of the
Hearts &
Flowers" and
MC of
the
famed
Monday
Night
Troubadour
Hoots.) |
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Larry
Murray,
Bernie
Leadon and
JB.
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John if you ever
read this,
understand that I
hold you in the
highest regard. Your
music has meant so
much to me - it's
helped me through
some difficult times
in my life.
BELANDFAN /
AMAZON.COM |
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Hugo Stranley, Harry
McGregor and JB in
the studio at New Hope,
Canada.
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"John Beland has
worked with some
serious talent,
before he
ever got to me,
and his
credentials are
second to none.
I really did
have some
trepidation and
was I up to the
task of getting
behind a studio
mic in front of
him? My anxiety
was firmly
placed at the
studio door from
the first take
to the final
wrap. John has become
a real friend,
and honestly I
know I have
become a better
vocalist
because of him.
His musical ear
is impeccable
and to sing to
his superb
arrangements was
a blast.As a fellow
Irishman, JB I
humbly say "Go
Raibh Mile Maith
Agat, and may
God continue to
bless you and
your incredible
talent.
Hugo
Stranley
Toronto radio
personality and
entertainer.
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"Son's Of The Golden West" the
new release by the Flying Burrito
Brothers, is a stunning masterpiece
of sonic imagery. I didn't think the
FBB could soar much higher than
their last release, "California
Jukebox" but they break the sound
barrier on "Sons". Career member
John Beland's songwriting captures
both the halcyon spirit of the early
FBB and the authenticity that only
comes with decades of experience in
writing the bulk of the FBB's
greatest hits.
customer / amazon.com |
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John Beland, a friend
for many years has been
the reason for much of
my success in the
songwriting business.
His Original 'licks'
that show up on the hit
records are from John's
demo's he did for me.
The very original lick
on "FRIENDS IN LOW
PLACES" is just one
proof of his musical
Genius. He deserves the
Billboard #1. chart
award that I gave him
that is hanging on his
wall in his studio
instead of on my own
wall with my other
awards.
Thanks again, John,
you're the absolute BEST
and I'll kick anyone's
ass that says different.
Tu amigo,
Dewayne Blackwell.
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Dewayne Blackwell and JB
in the studio.
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In a world with so much
worthless music , the Burritos
are not just a breath of fresh
air. They are life support!
Although this may be blasphemy
to some, John Beland's version
of the band are the real
Burritos to me. On Songs Of The
Golden West, Beland leads the
group through a solid collection
of very well produced songs.
(With those wonderful rough
edges, of course)...
revstiles / AMAZON.COM
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About John Beland by
author
Alan Rockman...
"About
four years ago I had secured free passes to see Jimmie
Dale Gilmore and the Flying Burrito Brothers at the
House of Blues in Los Angeles. I was more curious to see
the legendary Flying Burrito Brothers, but for my part,
I was ready to be extremely critical of, if not
downright dislike a band whose glory days seemingly
ended when Chris Hillman went off to Manassas and when
Gram Parsons OD'd in the Joshua Tree. The Flying Burrito
Brothers did not perform that evening at the House of
Blues. Case closed...or was it? For in the meantime,
curiosity got the best of this writer, and I decided to
pick up a copy of an album called California Jukebox by
these same Burritos...again, prepared to be
cynical...until the proverbial bolt of lightning struck
me. From the opening chords of a song called "San
Fernando Road," written and sung by John Beland, I was
hooked. The entire album was not just easy on the ears
of a diehard California country/rock fan, but extremely
enjoyable. Beland and the band had truly captured the
essence of what the genre was. John Beland truly knows
what "California Country/Rock" is all about. After all,
he played a part in its formation at the age of 18, back
in 1968, working with the legendary Larry Murray of
Hearts and Flowers fame, at the venerated Troubadour. It
was at the Troubadour where the young house guitarist
met two struggling singer/songwriters named Glenn Frey
and J.D. Souther and toured with this pre-Eagles
Longbranch & Pennywhistle duo. He also befriended the
gorgeous Linda Ronstadt, who, in turn, persuaded Beland
to form her first backing band, Swampwater. Over the
years, Beland straddled the lines between the blossoming
California country/rock scene with the traditionalists
of Nashville, yet staying true to his California roots -
writing, singing, playing for and backing such artists
as Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, The Bellamy
Brothers, Garth (yes, THE Garth) Brooks and Rick Nelson,
whom he worked with as musical director of the Stone
Canyon Band for nearly four years, before joining the
Flying Burrito Brothers in 1981. Beland's arrival
rejuvenated this once trend-setting band, and he was
primarily responsible for the band's string of top
country hits, including "She's A Friend Of A Friend" and
"She Belongs To Everyone But Me." More importantly
though, John Beland restored dignity and honor to a band
that had seen better days when the two legendary
founders departed. He believed in the traditional
California country sound as hatched by the Byrds and
taken aloft by the original FBB and the Eagles. A sound
that, with the exception of Chris Hillman's sadly
defunct Desert Rose Band, had been left dormant for
years...until Beland took the helm of the Burritos and
brought them back where they belonged and kept them
there for nearly 20 years. Not only did Beland's songs
reflect that nostalgia and purpose, his vocals and
B-Bender reflected that tradition as well - and I'll be
the first to vouch for the man's credibility and his
sincerity to that tradition. This compilation of Burrito
songs, sung and mostly written by Beland, from the last
three Flying Burrito Brothers albums (Eye Of The
Hurricane, California Jukebox and Sons Of The Golden
West), go across the full spectrum of the California
country sound, "from Merle at the Palomino to the Byrds
at the Troubadour." Go back in time, "Down At The
Palomino" or "Up On Sycamore," where the heroes and
villains of California folk and country would
congregate, or down that dusty, almost forbidding "San
Fernando Road." Stay a while longer and remember the old
cowboys of "(Calling Me Back To) The Wild Wild West."
Play these songs on a cloudy night in the canyons before
a fireplace and, through the swirling smoke, you just
might make out the shadows of Autry, Rogers, Richard
Farnsworth, Gram, Clarence White and Gene Clark riding
in the distance. Go back in time, "when the music really
mattered, when it's all about a song, the California
Jukebox plays on." I think you'll be glad that you did.
Alan Rockman Author of Civil War: Garments, History,
Legends and Lore Upland, California July 2001
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About John Beland by
Rob Walker,
Australian Music Magazine..
"When I first had the opportunity to interview John
Beland my research attempts were stymied by the
sheer weight of his career. The history of the
Flying Burrito Brothers is such that I would refer
you to the band’s
web site
to do your own research because I don’t have the
page room here to do it justice. Suffice to say that
the FBB’s are one of the most influential bands in
country rock music over the past three decades. John
Beland led the band to a series of country hits in
the 80’s and his guitar and vocals have been heard
behind some of the most influential and legendary
artists of our time: Linda Ronstadt, Arlo Guthrie,
Dolly Parton, The Bellamy Brothers, Rick Nelson,
Nicolette Larson, Gene Clark, Ry Cooder, and Joan
Baez to name a few. Many top artists like Garth
Brooks and Rick Nelson have recorded his songs, and
as a top session player in both LA and Nashville,
particularly during the 60s and 70s you are more
than likely to have heard his playing on any number
of hits."
Rob Walker
Australian Musician Magazine
FOR
INTERNATIONAL BOOKING INFO CONTACT:
BERIT GOVERTSEN,
KRISTIANSAND NORWAY.
berit@johnbeland.com
(Phone) 011 47
48997470
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