What separates Brandon from the rest of the pack besides his world-class musicianship and song writing, is his ability to connect and involve the audience in his live shows.

In 2010 Brandon was nominated for Song Writer Of The Year by the Maple Blues Awards. This honor recognized him as being one of Canada’s top songwriters. He was also one of Canada’s 13 song writers picked to write a road song about their province / territory for the CBC’s, great Canadian Song Quest 2011.

Brandon has just released his first solo album entitled; “Bluesman’s Plea”. Don’t let the title fool you; this is a very versatile and diverse roots album that truly reflects the music that he plays in his “Live” performances. The song’s showcase Ragtime, Delta Blues, Piedmont, Gospel as well as Swing styles.

Brandon is also known as the front man and main songwriter/guitar player for the Popular Canadian Jump band (The Twisters) based out of Vancouver, Canada.

Over the years Brandon has had a chance to play with some of his favorite musicians and main influences, such as: Corey Harris, Guy Davis, Taj Mahal, Colin Linden, Serena Ryder, The Sojourners and Jim Byrnes as well as electric greats like… Jeff Healy, Joe Louis Walker, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, and Chicago Blues Diva Zora Young just to name a few.

Brandon's affinity for the rawness and spontaneity of the blues is second to none, as anyone who has had the privilege of being a part of his audience will tell you. He brings a firebrand style of guitar as well as incredibly stirring vocals that truly has to be witnessed to be appreciated! He is VERY much in the moment as he rips it up, and we know you'll be impressed with the caliber of showmanship within his performance of songs & stories by this great Canadian artist.

Press

 "Brandon not only plays his guitar but he plays his audience like a ringmaster in his own circus, always looking for new ways to entertain." - Teresa Mallam, Prince George Free Press.

"This is Brandon isaak’s first solo album. He’s known more for his ‘day job’ as front man for The Twisters out of Vancouver, but this record could change all of that. As one blues critic has rightly pointed out, “The States have Keb Mo’, Sweden has Eric Bibb, and now Canada has Brandon Isaak.”

This reminds me of Tim Bastmeyer’s recent self- titled release in that the songs are raw and honest, and the songs are uncluttered. Musicians listed no this disc are Brandon (vocals, guitar, foot percussion, harmonica & bass) and Chris isaak (his brother, one would assume) on drums, backup vocals, as well as engineering and producing.

Recorded at Blue-Star Studios in Whitehorse, this disc feels like it could’ve just as easily come from Memphis. It’s one of the most authentic feeling and sounding blues albums you’ll ever hear. There’s a vintage sound to this disc and some real in the pocket playing that makes it a satisfying listen from front to back. Brant Zwicker, host of the excellent blues radio show At The Crossroads says “Styles range from Delta slide to rollicking country- blues, and the result is a laid back and totally satisfying album” I couldn’t have put it better myself. Bluesman’s Plea is the first truly great blues album of the year- and the first month is only half over! TOP TRACKS: Tell Me Why, A Bluesman’s Plea, Gotta Let You Go"..... John, the Rock Doctor

Brandon Isaak is a roots-based Canadian artist with some strong things to say, and an old school blues way of saying it, floating from a country blues, “Mississippi Sheiks” style, to Gospel, Piedmont and beyond. His latest album bluesman‘s Plea consists of 14 original tracks. Before this album landed in our inbox, we were unfamiliar with Isaak. The initial listen to the album, however, was a pleasing, entertaining, and memorable experience.

Plea kicks off with some finger picking Delta Blues on the title track. Brandon is a skilled songwriter, fitting just the right amount of words and all-important spacing into each track, letting the instruments do the talking when necessary. A catchy, repetitive track, “You Gotta Pray” is a simple joy. “Take My Message” has a traditional Southern Gospel feel, complete with a choir on the chorus. The track would be fully at home nestled in between “Old Time Religion” and “Will the Circle Remain Unbroken”.

Overall, Bluesman’s Plea is an album that shows off a range of traditionally pre-war styles with skilled & interesting lyrics. Fans of the Mississippi Sheiks or the contemporary one-man-band master Ben Prestage will certainly find enjoyment in this album. It is hard to get a handle on Brandon’s voice — occasionally smooth, occasionally twangy, occasionally rough. There is the occasional out-of-place track such as “A Little Wine”, and Isaak occasionally relies a little heavily on samples — though with the wide ability he obviously has, he certainly doesn’t need to. Ultimately, the bulk of the album is faithfully steeped in the traditional style that is simply a joy to experience...... BY MATT MARSHALL / AMERICAN BLUES SCENE

The notion of an intinerant bluesman, guitar slung across his back as he travels dusty roads and plays for his supper, is quaintly out-of-date. Yet Bluesman’s Plea, the first solo outing from Brandon Isaak, frequently conjures just such an image.

Isaak, usually found fronting Vancouver-based jump-blues band The Twisters, is largely on his own with Bluesman’s Plea, and instrumentation is primarily acoustic. There’s nothing quaint or dated about Isaak’s music, though. An all-original collection (eleven songs, with three ‘bonus’ cuts), there are enough ‘modern’ touches, courtesy of producer, engineer, drummer (oh, and younger brother, too) Chris Isaak, to keep this from a stroll down memory lane.

The title track kicks things off, with Isaak’s acoustic guitar, shimmery slide, and faint foot-stomps giving it a classic pre-war sound that seems snatched from the dustbin of history. But Isaak quickly picks up the pace with You Gotta Pray, contributing bass as well as chiming guitars to a tune with an obvious gospel pedigree and a jaunty groove, proving he’s equally adept on either side of the sacred/profane divide. There are hints of country, too, and traces of ragtime here and there. Yet while Isaak borrows a bit for his song structures (a few songs sound vaguely familiar, notably Ain’t No Pleasin’ You, reminiscent of Just Because, a once-upon-a-time hit for Elvis), they’re all, as the liner notes state, “true stories about love, life, and death.”

Chris’ production is most evident on three tracks that feature ‘found sound.’ Hard Workin’ Woman begins with a voice-over recording of airplane boarding instructions, and quickly becomes a lament for the titular hard-working woman whose business travels keep her away from home more than Isaak would like. Take My Message includes a brief snippet of an old-time, fire-and-brimstone sermon, while A Little Wine includes with muffled news reports and moody background effects that lend the tune an eery, vaguely claustrophobic air – it’s unsettling and arguably a bit out of place on the set list, but as a cautionary tale – how quickly ‘a little wine’ becomes too much wine – it works just fine.

For the most part, though, the feel is fairly sunny. Chris Isaak’s drums are unobtrusive in the extreme, adding a minimal bit of rhythmic drive while never drawing attention away from Brandon’s fleet and agile picking. And the elder Isaak proves a fine singer indeed, with just a hint of a growl on occasion that adds a welcome touch of grit. He also adds harmonica to a track, though it’s pretty rudimentary and primarily for effect.

Above all, Isaak comes accross as relaxed and thoroughly comfortable – these are, after all, his songs, and he inhabits them as though they’re simply a part of his DNA. His delivery is effortlessly honest and candidly intimate, the easy-going sound of an old friend singing songs simply because they satisfy his own soul.

The results make for riveting listening. This is good stuff ..... John Taylor

There comes a time in your life, if you are very lucky, that you get the opportunity to realize that you are doing exactly what you were meant to do, Brandon Isaak, I believe has finally reached that stage in his life, and his amazing new debut release, "Bluesman's Plea" proves that to the rest of us.

Brandon Isaak has been an important part of the Canadian music scene, for a fair number of years now, most notably as the Frontman, as well as the main Guitarist and Songwriter for the hugely popular award winning Canadian Jump Style Blues Band, The Twisters. Brandon has also had the good fortune, over the years, to perform with a host of greats, such as, Corey Harris, Guy Davis, Taj Mahal, Colin Linden, Serena Ryder, The Sojourners and Jim Byrnes as well as electric greats like… Jeff Healey, Joe Louis Walker, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, and Chicago Blues Diva Zora Young just to name a few." Brandon Isaak has also recently performed as an acoustic duo with Harpdog Brown, for which he used the moniker Yukon Slim.

Brandon Isaak's songwriting skills garnered the limelight in 2010 and 2011, with him being nominated for a 2010 Maple Blues Award in the category of Song Writer Of The Year and he was chosen for the Canadian Song Quest 2011 in which he was one of 13 Canadian songwriters whom were picked to write a song about their Province.

Brandon Isaak's Solo career began innocently enough, when "in the summer of 2010 he was asked to do a Solo performance. It was the first one he ever done. Brandon shone!" It is the pure intimacy of that show that comes across loud and clear on "Bluesman's Plea", with a wonderful feeling of oneness Brandon manages to bring to his audience whether live or when listening to his album. Brandon draws you into his performances and offers up to us all, a more genuine feeling of how the blues should be played and heard.

"Bluesman's Plea" consists of 14 diverse Tracks, all of which are originals written by Brandon Isaak. The songs showcase a number of styles including Ragtime, Delta Blues, Piedmont, Gospel, Swing, and a touch of Country. Brandon describes the songs as being "true stories of love, life, and death". In addition to Vocals, Brandon Isaak also plays Guitar, Bass, Harmonica, and Foot Percussion and is joined by his well known brother Chris Isaak, whom plays Drums and does the Background Vocals on "Bluesman's Plea". Chris Isaak also Engineered and Produced "Bluesman's Plea" which was recorded at Blue-Star Studios in Whitehorse, Yukon.

"Bluesman's Plea" had a lot of favorites on it for me, but narrowing it down, I chose Track 2 the Gospel tinged "You Gotta Pray", Track 4 "Hard Workin' Woman", with Brandon's great Guitar work and the wonderful back beat courtesy of Chris Isaak, and Track 5 "Tell Me Why", with the mournful howl of Brandon's Harmonica playing.

When it came to "Bluesman's Plea", it was truly about the 3 Greats, Great Vocals, Great Musicianship, and Great Songwriting. "Bluesman's Plea" had all this and more and should have no problem keeping Brandon Isaak in the limelight for all those 3 qualities, especially his Songwriting.

"Bluesman's Plea" is an extraordinarily good album for a Debut release, and one in which I hope follows many more, as a solo artist..... Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

Brandon ‘Yukon Slim’ Isaak is flying solo with Bluesman’s Plea, a versatile and diverse roots album featuring 14 original songs based on true stories of life, love and death.

With titles like Ain’t No Pleasin’ You, Hard Workin’ Woman and Gotta Let You Go, Isaak clearly runs the gamut of human emotion in his songs.

Originally from the Yukon, Isaak is well known as front man, main songwriter and guitarist with the Vancouver jump band The Twisters, who have played to rave reviews for Prince George Blues Underground dances in recent years. A top-ranked and versatile musician, Isaak is a master storyteller with a sharp sense of humour and love of the blues that has won him fans and awards.

His live performances show him in his best blues balladeer light. His lyrics are appealing, his singing soulful and uplifting.

Isaak plays a wide variety of music styles in his dynamic one-man shows including ragtime, country rock/blues, Delta blues, Piedmont, gospel and swing in the mix.

In 2010, Isaak was nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards and was one of 13 artists selected to write songs for CBC ‘s Great Canadian Song Quest 2011.

Isaak plays the Ottawa Winterlude Festival Feb. 3, 4 and 4. On the 5th he plays Rainbow Bistro with Canada’s “Best Blues Harmonica Player,” Steve Marriner.

He will be in Prince George Feb. 9 to 12. For more on the artist and tour dates visit www.brandonisaak.ca..... Teresa Mallam - Prince George Free Press

Singer-songwriter & guitarist Brandon Isaak, a charter member of The Twisters, has released a solo project called "Bluesman's Plea," and this young musician with an old soul is in the pocket with this one. Isaak digs down to his acoustic roots here: 14 originals based upon true-life stories of life, love and death; masterful playing; a retro, vintage feel and sound; and a soulful, deeply personal approach to each and every song. Styles range from Delta slide to rollicking country-blues, and the result is laid-back and totally satisfying..... Brant Zwicker - At the Crossroads Blues Radio

Awards

• Bluesman's Plea - "Best Debut Album" and "Best CD Cover Art" by The Blues Undergrounds Best of The Blues 2011
• Juno Award winner for (Blues Record Of The Year) with his guitar playing on Kenny Wayne's CD,( Let It Loose,) 2008.
• Real Blues Award for (Top 5 Guitar Players In Canada. )
• Nominated for (Songwriter of the Year) by the Maple Blues Awards 2009.
• Nominated for (Producer of the Year) by the Maple Blues Awards 2009.
• Nominated for (Blues Recording of the Year) by Western Canadian Music Awards, 2009
• Indie Award for work on (Long Hard Road) as (Blues Record of the Year, 2001)
• Nominated for a Juno Award for CD (Long Hard Road, 2001)

Appearances

Montreal International Jazz Festival, Edmonton's Labatt Blues Festival, The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, Lillehammer Blues Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Dawson City Music Festival, Sedan, France Blues Festival, Maximum Blues Festival (Quebec), Mojo Blues Festival (Germany)Frostbite Music Festival, Saskatoon Blues Festival, Tremblant International Blues Festival, International Blues Challenge (Memphis, TN ), Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival, The Dutch Mason Blues Festival, Maple Ridge Blues Festival, Limestone City Blues Festival, Maximum International Blues Festival, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, Sky High Blues Festival, South Side Shuffle, Summertime Blues Festival, Sunbanks Rhythm and Blues Festival, Mt. Baker Blues Festival, Calgary International Blues Festival, Festival d'été de Québec City, Frostbite Music Festival (Yukon), Atlin Music Festival, Osoyoo's Roots and Blues Festival and many more...

Music

Bluesman's Plea (2010)

Video

Brandon Isaak Links