The Brothers Four Renewal

The Brothers Four Renewal (2018)
Click on the song titles to play clips

"From the soundtracks of our lives, Forever touched by common chords of humanity, Classic Songs of Solace, lovingly reimagined for our times ...

"Now the musical journey continues ... Hope for the planet (Winds of Green) ... Eternal Hope for peace (Where Have All the Flowers Gone) ... A story of America through migrant workers' eyes (Pastures of Plenty) ... A sweet family lullaby (Turnaround) ... Comfort and hope in light of loss (To Forgive And to Forget) ... The arc of a life well lived (Try To Remember) ... Historical recollection of cultural classics (Sakura/Greensleeves My Heart of Gold) ... The Epic Odyssey (New Shenendoah — Wide Missouri) ... Also the journey home (The Green Leaves of Summer) ... And the eternally hopeful Lost-Love ballad (Greenfields)." --BF

Produced by Bob Flick and Robert Holmes.

Reviews of 'Renewal' by The Brothers Four

"In terms of sheer longevity, few groups were blessed to have persevered with at least one founding member present among their ranks for more than six decades. Among that select few were and are the Mills Brothers, Danny And The Juniors, the Belmonts and the Brothers Four.

"Sadly, the last of the original Mills Brothers, Donald Mills passed away in November 1999. And both the Belmonts and Danny And The Juniors have suffered key losses in 2019. However, the Brothers Four (with band founder and bassist Bob Flick still at the helm) are encouragingly persevering with their mission statement and capabilities intact.

"Renewal is a commemoration of the Brothers Four's extraordinary six decades in the forefront of the folk genre, as well as a showcase of the strength of the band's ongoing musical vision. To that effect, lavishly arranged remakes of such catalog highlights as Try To Remember, Greenfields and the utterly stupendous The Green Leaves Of Summer are rendered in high dramatic fashion, with co-producers Flick and Robert Holmes bathing each in an almost reverential and otherworldly setting.

"In turn, their more recent material (To Forgive And To Forget and Flick's Winds Of Green, which had also been a part of their The Beautiful World Of The Brothers Four album in 2014) brings the genre back to basics, highlighting the majesty of the basic template in the process. The band's current line up (which also includes Mike McCoy, Mark Pearson and Karl Olsen) does a superb job in execution throughout the proceedings, which are also highlighted by inspired renditions of Woody Guthrie's Pastures Of Plenty and the Kingston Trio's Where Have All The Flowers Gone.

"Although based for an extended season in Washington State, Flick recently relocated to Southern California. Nonetheless, the band is persevering accordingly, with testimonies such as this one serving them well. The group will also be making several live appearances throughout the remainder of the year with the Limeliters and the Kingston Trio.

"However, given the strengths exhibited herein, perhaps Renewal is not as fitting a title as would have been Reassertion. Whatever the case, the Winds Of Green are thankfully still blowing in their direction."

— 'The Shape of Things to Come (Reissues and Anthologies)' by Michael McDowell, editor/publisher Blitz Magazine. Since 1975 - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People

"The group's brand-new release, THE BROTHERS FOUR RENEWAL, was co-produced by Bob Flick and composer/multi-instrumentalist Robert Holmes, who has written musical scores for many popular adventure video games and worked with a roster of artists that includes Leon Russell, Jim Messina, and The Zombies. He applies his gentle touch to quite a few audience favorites from the group's repertoire, but his subtle creativity is especially striking in his treatment of 'Try To Remember'. After a leisurely introduction from pianist Ian Francisco, the Brothers' familiar folk instrumentation kicks in, graced by a cello, and the Brothers start singing. By the second half of the first verse, a bell-like instrument, probably synthesized but sounding very organic, joins the mix. The string section shows up in the second verse, building to the final verse which is led in by a luxuriant harp track. All in all, Holmes brings to this album a brilliant approach to accompaniment that complements the group's familiar folk sound rather than burying it. For his part, founding member Bob Flick couldn't be happier. "My co-producer, Robert Holmes, has done a terrific job of reinforcing and enhancing these songs," he enthuses. "Still timeless, but a bit of an update. Folks are loving them. A wonderful way to kick off our 60th Anniversary Celebration tour."

— Doug Bright, Editor and Publisher, Heritage Music Review, a monthly guide to early rock, blues, country, folk, and traditional jazz in the Seattle area and beyond. Subscriptions: subscribe@heritagemusicreview.com.

"I listened to the wonderful 'Renewal' CD Bob Flick gave us. I love this beautiful and moving music, especially 'Shenandoah,' which brought tears to my eyes."

— Richard Chamberlin

Track Listing

New Shenandoah (Wide Missouri) (Flick) (3:57)
Try To Remember (Jones/Schmidt) (4:16)
The Green Leaves of Summer (Tiomkin/Webster) (3:14)
Pastures of Plenty (Guthrie) (4:14)
Turnaround (Belafonte/Green/Reynolds (2:58)
To Forgive And To Forget (Holmes/Holmes) (4:26)
Winds of Green (Flick) (3:32)
Where Have All The Flowers Gone (Seeger) (3:21)
Sakura/Greensleeves My Heart Of Gold (Flick) (3:58)
Greenfields (Gilkyson/Dehr/Miller (3:36)