. . . seem to have missed (or misplaced) the tour bus . . .
Influences
Bill Withers, Chris Whitley, The Reverand Dr. Bob (Dylan), Ray Charles, Maestro Cheito Alvarez, Aretha, Tom Waits, Cat Power(ohmygod.), Bob Marley, Pat Metheny, Mavis Staples, Los Lobos, Rainer Ptacek, Nustrat Fateh Ali Kahn, Robert Cray, Bebo Valdez y Diego 'El Cigala', P.J. Harvey, Macy Gray, Skatalites, Blue Nile, Charles Caldwell, Van Morrison, Sam Cook, Rikki Lee Jones, Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Gillian Welch, Giant Sand, Robbie Robertson, Citizen Cope, Mark Knopfler, Ry Cooder, Dusty Springfield, Stones, Bill Frisell, Lucinda Williams, Tom Petty, Mark Lanegan, Randy Newman, Beck, Freedy Johnston, Harry Nilson, Peter Gabriel, Ian Hunter, J.J. Cale, Joe Henry, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, John Martyn, Chrissie Hynde, Johnny Lee Hooker, U2, Kelly Joe Phelps, Led Zepplin, Lisa Germano, Marvin Gaye, Booker T, Miles Davis, Paul Pena, Mussorgsky, Neil Young, Kathleen Edwards, R.E.M., Segovia, Little Walter, Skip James, Roxy Music, Steel Pulse, T-Bone Burnett, Exene Cervenka, Steve Earle, Wood Brothers, Roger Miller. . .
Sounds Like
. . . another one of Bob Dylan's little soul disciples was walkin’ along reading a postcard from Chris Whitley when he ran into Malford Milligan, sittin' on an old grave marker plopped down on an inconspicuous, but particularly sacred piece of dirt (maybe two and a half miles southeast of Columbus, Kansas), just Counting Crows, waitin' for a train - when all of a sudden Van Morrison pulls up in a mint, turquoise, 65’ Cadillac convertible with Sam Cook ridin’ shotgun, Martin Sexton and P.J. Harvey holdin' down the back seat, while Rikkie Lee Jones croons Marvin Gaye's "Trouble Man" over the shiny, chrome, in-dash radio that only minutes ago delivered Mavis and the Staple Singers’ "Respect Yourself", just as they passed Bill Withers, Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn and James Taylor sampling the fresh tomatoes at a roadside stand owned by one Evelyn Mercer (charter member of the local Rainer Ptacek fan club), who at that very moment was whistling the refrain from the Wood Brothers’ "If The Spirit Moves You" while puttin' out a row of fresh collard greens and wonderin' to herself if/when ms. Power would be bringin' jimmy white & RX back this way. . .
recalling a favorite boyhood memory, he says that he would lie between the rows of a freshly plowed field, the dark, sun-warmed earth to his back, just as the cool of dusk began to settle over the heartland. Mark Alan's music is rooted in that fertile soil and from time to time it seems to beckon the solace of some vast horizon. Growing up in rural Colorado and Kansas, he was only a child when he first heard the sounds that would shape him - sounds that resonate, even today. Always, somewhere a radio, playing Country, Rhythm & Blues or Gospel music. There were ’Indian’ pow-wows and church choirs singing. Late in the evening he could hear the seemingly endless din of cicadas outside his window - or later still, a pack of coyotes roaming nearby, yipping at the wail of some passing freight train. . . .
While there were formative years in the shadow of tall cottonwoods and summer-times spent wandering the farm, Mark’s family would eventually move on, to the outskirts of Denver. It was there, in a culturally desolate suburban environment, that he would spend the majority of his adolescence - his saving grace, a small ’record store’ in Boulder, a pair of headphones and a stack of well-worn LP’s. Listening to Soul, Folk/Rock and Jazz records served as tutelage and before long he was making a name for himself, establishing a reputation as an unusually gifted singer/songwriter. He moved to EUGENE, OREGON just a few years later, where he continues to garner high praise, performing consistently throughout the northwest, on college campuses and as an opener for the likes of Ray Charles, Joan Baez, Robert Cray and Kelly Joe Phelps. His long-standing Sunday night sets at Jo Federigo's in Eugene are nearly legendary among locals and University of Oregon alumni alike. . . .
The inheritance of voice and place makes for a powerful union. Though acoustic in nature, Mark’s music is strangely expansive. It's original in sound, soulful and groove oriented. His presence is warm and unpretentious. Poetic, yet simply profound, here’s someone faithfully doing what he’s supposed to do. He performs with that conviction night-in and night-out. When you see him, when you hear him at work, you’ll understand why friends are talking - about 'the real' Mark Alan.
For the wonderful show tonight at Jo Feds - just like old times. Lovely. And your Lucinda Williams Cover (Blues, wasn't it?) was phenomenal! Thanks for the requests on Starlings & Down by the Water - 2 old favs of mine. I was a very happy camper...;o)
So, I see you're playing at Joe Feds on the 21st of September - that happens to be my birthday so expect a birthday crowd coming in....;o) Well, maybe just a few of us.....but hopefully a crowd, eh!
Hey brother, its good to be back from Hawaii, sharing evenings of soulful tunes at JF with my sweet heart. Your music has meant a lot to me over the years, so it's good to have you back in town doin your thing. Hope to see ya in a few weeks. Shootz Stephen p.s. Its high time you joined myspace. I spent about two hours searching for you on the internet in Hawaii
Mark- It's so great to see you on the Myspace. I'm an old fan from back in the early 90's during my days at U of O. I still pull out your CD's regularly. Take care... Sean @ PNWMS
Hey Mark, You made my friend's mom cry with your duet of 'Ring of Fire'. BEAUTIFUL job, my friend. And if I had to choose between you and Robbie Robertson singing 'Broken Arrow', I'd take you every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Nice work.
Looks like I busted your comment cherry...hope it was a good for you as it was for me...Im shocked you dont got Marley under your influences. Page looks great though.
