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MARK EASTON review from BELGIUM
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| (Tuesday, 07 April 2009) Written by mark easton |
an Aussie from Gold Coast, Queensland. Who always makes me curious. Who is Mark Easton? In an earlier life he was a professional punk. In many bands.
Somewhere in the beginning of this century he and his pal bassist Peter Copeland and drummer Jared Harrison, formed the power trio Mark Easton Limousine. In 2002 he recorded a 6 song EP with the title "Coast to Coast". Bluesrock driven by the slide guitar of Easton. Raw, hot and tight. He has crossed Australia from north to south and from east to west following in the footsteps of other slide players from down under, blues rockers like Dave Hole and Gwyn Ashton. In 2004 following the full CD "Greener" which had a lot more mature and original sound than the first. the acoustic National Steel starts to feature from here on. With his third CD "Band Wagon" of 2006, he towers above the heads of some of his colleagues. He is nominated in two categories at the Australian Blues Music Awards for Best New Talent and Best Album. And on the Blue Star Awards nominations within three he, Best Australian Blues Band, Best Album and Best Electric Guitarist.
After two years his solo act expanded and strengthened he has extended to Gigs in the turbulent and lush smoky pubs of country areas, city and outback, he decided to release his first solo album which is is forth album, which were created while on tour.
"Money Is the Root of All Evil" is a compilation of his live songs, and believe me, ladies and gentlemen, this very much works, acoustic or semi-acoustic, pounding primal-blues. The album is already a couple weeks in my possession, and although my circumstances and too much work that I don’t want to discuss, I listened to the album frequently and repeatedly, and I'm still not tired of it. This is the pure essence of the concept of blues.
Like his countryman Ash Grunwald, while he plays guitar, blues and a lot of sharp percussion elements, but both musically and instrumentally he is way above. His originality and passion invoked the memory of Chris Whitley, who is another wanderer of the lonesome blues. From the first song, the title "Money Is the Root of All Evil", you understand. These are songs that were born on the street as if it were a part of his life, instead of stuff you read in the local newspaper.
All songs from Easton are a rare quality. The flip side is that radio could find some songs unacceptable because of the gritty nature of the lyrics. But some songs show we can all survive in this dirty pool. "Party Time" is full of Quentin Tarantino's allegories. And sometimes he even bares all his feelings, as in "Cry in the Rain".
The three covers on this album, are not just covers for the sake of doing covers. They are so designed that you would think they were by him. Never have I heard it more than in Percy Mayfield's "Hit the Road Jack". If I was Jack, "I would never come back, no more, sure.
And "Blind Willie" Reynolds' "Outside Woman Blues" gets a memorable interpretion Just like 'Hound Dog' Taylor's "She's Gone".
This is a strong album, damn, how often should I have to say this. If you only get this for the tasty and piercing slide of Mark or his tormented voice, his harmonica wailing and meaningful songs. Heuh .. .. heuh why would you not want to buy this cd ? That's what I did
witteMVS
rootsville.be
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