Changing Times

Album Review

If Marco Joachim's title — Changing Times — and front cover — a picture of the singer with an acoustic guitar, harmonica, and cap — conjures up the ghost of Dylan, circa 1963, that's all right with him. Joachim's appeal toward yesteryear is more general than specific. His politics seem more personal than Dylan's "Masters of War" or Phil Ochs' "Draft Dodger Rag," but at the same time he never sinks into a singer/songwriter morass. The melodic, poetic "River of Tears," elevated by Joachim's affable vocals, reminds one of an early Donovan piece, like "Colors." "Chaplinesque" adds a touch of sentimentality as it imagines traveling with Charlie Chaplin's film persona, "the Tramp." Within the bonds of a folk song, the Tramp serves as a symbol for the common person, not unlike a rambling, gambling Woody Guthrie, ignoring and defying society's rules. There are many other fine songs on Changing Times, simply arranged and filled with sincerity. The only sour note here is Joachim's versions of traditional songs like "Parchman Farm" and "San Francisco Bay Blues." He doesn't seem to inject quite as much soul into these oldies, and as a result, they fall flat. Joachim's songwriting and vocals, however, are more than enough reason to check out Changing Times. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi