Personal, thoughtful and humorous album full of emotion-MAVERICK MAGAZINE 08/09
by
Redgrizz1
Despite originally coming from Washington DC, a place not normally revered for fine country artists, Mark not only tops the list of great artists coming from Washington DC but in fact must be regarded as one of the finest of his generation. This is his sixth album sure is one heck of an effort to be considered as classic status.
With its future definitely headed for being played on the Saturday Grand Ole Opry, I Love Country Music is sung by a fine artist who obviously loves the music he sings so proudly about. Perfect for being played whilst driving down a dusty country back road in a Chevy Corvette, this is one song all us Maverick readers can relate to. One of the finest pro-country songs I have heard for some time, that’s for sure. The tenderness of Mark’s writing not only can be applied to his love for country music, but also for the friends he has lost and is evident on Brother Tom. Written about the loss of his friend Tom Dundee in a motorcycle accident in 2006, this very moving track is one which I can personally relate to and I’m sure the countless others who have lost their friends recently or in the past few years will find a tear welling up. Many a track has been written about Hurricane Katrina; the much-televised disaster that showed the lacklustre and general failure of the George W Bush Administration, but hardly any has been as fine as Crescent City Lullaby. Although it is simply played it has an extraordinary edge to it which is evocative of those ghastly days. With its closing notes sounding like a New Orleans funeral march, this symbolic end is certainly taking a stand at what happened and will probably continue to happen for generations to come.
A man with valour to write and perform the songs he damn well wants, Mark Elliott is someone we should have heard of before. His obvious talent for putting together a first-rate album is there for all to see, and when the quality is this good it makes you feel rejuvenated and to thank whoever that you are around to hear such quality. RH
