I love music. It’s become such an instrumental part of so many pieces of my life that one might argue, it is my life. Even so, I like a lot of music. Hell I even LOVE a lot of it, but not much of it truly excites me. I mean excites me like I NEED to listen to that record over and over again and not get sick of it. Music that I wish had my name on it, or people I just want to create music with because I respect them so much. Lots of what’s out there, well it’s familiar, enjoyable, great, fun even, but not so different and thoughtful that it floors me beyond belief. Punch Brothers is one of the few bands that does that for me…and so does Mark Whitaker. And as is the case with the players in Punch Brothers, in my eyes Whitaker is as equally as virtuoso a player on banjo as anyone out there making music on any instrument today.
This record is that fine line when music is absolutely genius but not at all pretentious. I find it hard to draw comparisons because, quite frankly, there aren’t many who are able stretch the instrument and it’s sound to the depths that Mark Whitaker takes it. His playing is gifted and unparalleled. One certainly could draw Noam Pikelny or Bela Fleck references, but I think Mark’s unique blend of soul, folk, bluegrass and classic influences set him apart.
Smart playing. Proving not everyone needs to play the same thing at the same time to play a song. The decisions in arrangements are fantastic and memorable. Remarkable even. A true talent surrounding themselves with others who are experts on their instruments as well makes for a sure work of art. Eva, Gian and Forrest add so much depth and beauty to the songs here. It’s not hard to decipher that these are not merely studio musicians brought in to play with Mark. They are friends who carefully and lovingly add to the songwriters tracks.
“When the Weather Breaks” is a strong example of how much though went into these arrangements. When I talk about music that excites me, this is the perfect example. What starts as a sparse pluck and vocal very soon adds a harmony ala Ms. Walsh, then a drop into perfect oblivion where you are swept away into the tune. The approach makes so much sense, but is uniquely flawless. When Mark cuts into the line “You only shine the light on me / to illustrate the ruin of my ways” the entire band picks up in a way that just makes you tremble with delight. The musicians are playing in such a way that evokes such emotion. It’s what music is supposed to do. The banjo fills are absolutely insane here. Whitaker’s tact and playing is perfection defined. Forrest O’Connors mandolin work is unbelievable. And Eva Walsh’s fiddle decisions, as I have said a million times before, are the most tasteful in the business. Everything here during the breaks is wonderful and Gian Pangaro’s decisions on the bass are the glue that holds everything together. I am excited when I hear this music. This is music that people should be listening to. This is a damn good song.
The vocal decisions across the board on the record are a knock out. Harmonies are perfect. Eva Walsh and Marks voices complement each other without flaw. A sound that blends like their two voices do is something that folks search a lifetime for. Whitaker’s voice, a blend between smooth jazz, folk and Motown soul is one you can put in repeat over and over, never tiring of it. The man’s voice is just like butter. He has one of the most pleasant vocals in the local community today, undoubtedly.
“Nowhere To Land” perhaps has my favorite display of how well Walsh and Whitaker’s voices melt together into one, solid, concrete and unstoppable sound. Whitaker makes the banjo a somber sound on this track, further displaying his ability to use the instrument in ways that many cannot. The end of each phrasing when Walsh comes in with her harmony is fantastically timed and effective to really drive home the title of the song. An A+ if there ever was one for a song.
Oh yeah…and there’s a fiddle tune aptly named “Parade Around the Table” that any bluegrass musician around town will appreciate the naming decisi
on of.
I think what works extremely well for Mark is that his songs are complex, thought out but also extremely approachable. Every track on the album could be the single, they are all that good. There is tact and smart arranging but the songs are also very commercially and extensively friendly. I love this music , my 5 year old cousins daughter would love these, and my Nana loves these songs. There is a broad reach here. When music is good, it’s just good. It’s emotion driven, his heart and soul are in these songs and we are invited along for the ride. The music is timeless, ageless and everyone wants some more. His writing style is great as well. He isn’t off with a thesaurus and his instrument, but rather using turns of phrases that are familiar and conventional, yet still not predictable. Each song is like a conversation that he is having with the listener and/or the subject at hand. They read out extremely well, the words are poetic without being preachy or over the top. This gentleman is an extraordinary wordsmith.
Mark Whitaker may not be a countrywide household name yet, but I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen. I believe in this music. This is music that people NEED to hear. Talent like this shouldn’t be kept. It should be shared. So listen…
This is an absolutely brilliant debut from a phenomenal musician and songwriter.
Mark releases “Nowhere to Land” on August 6 at Club Passim in Harvard Square. You can purchase tickets now at the link below. This will be a show that you DO NOT want to miss.
http://www.clubpassim.org/club/mark-whitaker-cd-release-hayley-sabella-opens