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Someone described Mark Cool’s latest record as being like
Nebraska era Bruce Springsteen mixed in with a bit of Keith Urban, with a smattering of Townes Van Zant, Johnny Cash and the
Carter family thrown in. Sounds good enough to us – and the record does too.
-Americana Uk writers' top
20 cds of 2007 listing
Mark Cool and the Folk Stars "Introducing…" (Folkstar Recordings 2007)
Folking cool
Power chords, histrionic vocals, drum solos, orchestral
backing score, ‘wall-of-sound’ production. These are just some of the things that you won’t find within
a country mile of this record. Hallelujah.
For an ‘Introductory…’ record this doesn’t
do any of the things you might imagine it would – it’s not ‘immediate’, it’s not ‘catchy’,
it’s not a grabber of the ‘short and curly’s’.
Whilst we are on the subject there are
no superstars present, there is no showboating musically or vocally, there is a particular dearth of hit singles.
So what’s left?
Well…honesty, integrity, simplicity, humour, understatement, restraint, a ‘joire
d’vivre’ that can only be found in folk who know exactly where the bottom and the top can be found, catharsis,
realisation…
Musically and vocally Mark Cool is Bobby Bare Jr. without the baggage. This is a rootsy, country,
bluesy exposition of the highest order. Its partly Lambchop that you can actually hear, partly 1950’s country music
that realises that this is the twenty first century, partly damn fine music that X-Factor fans should be required to listen
to. When I tell you confidentially that the upright bass on "Woman At A Gas Station’ is better than sex, and you
can see where I am ‘coming’ from, then hopefully we are of an accord.
Best track: "Foolish Dreams".
Or perhaps any of the other ten. -Paul villers, Americana UK
"...Mark Cool and the Folk Stars is music that is well-grounded, even
earthy and gritty in its texture. Yet, it moves forward in an upbeat dynamic way that finds its mark straight to the heart.
I trust his words and the authenticity of the music. ... I highly recommend it to you." -Reid
Baer, menstuff.org
-Reid Baer, menstuff.org
"The
more I listen to Marks music the more it grows on me.It has an authentic beatnick 50's-mid 60's feel about it ,not
disimilar to Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan that I find relaxing and pleasantly nostalgic."
-dodgy
dave, nessmp3.com
"The house concert was fabulous! Mark Cool's music is sweet - and sometimes funny - it has a depth and power that
taps into a tender appreciation for living- even when it's edges are hard - that makes us want to wake up and feel more
alive. Mark's voice and presence take us to that place, along the trail he's traveled and come through singing." -Joanna H.
Mark’s lyrics are impeccable...finely-crafted
word pictures that take you to personal zones of introspection, memories and pure fun! The house party was a perfect venue
to fully hear the songs without distraction. Mark definitely ranks among top folk/country writers.
-
Barbara C.
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