Great Long Time
Editorial Reviews Throughout a very interesting and adventuresome life, a guitar was always there. Mark has worked as a fireman on the railroad, has been a professional pilot and aviation businessman, as well as a real estate broker over the years but one overriding passion has always been at the forefront of his thoughts, that of music and making it in the most articulate, soulful, and passionate way attainable. His biggest influences were Delta Blues, Chicago Blues, and Southern Rock/Blues. The originals like Robert Johnson, Bukka White, Muddy Waters, Blind Willie Johnson, and Son House made a big impression on him. Second generation guys like John Hammond, Duane and Greg Allman, and Jorma Kaukonen also played a big role in the music that he loved and in the evolution of his own sound. But you can't grow up in the middle of the country in the 1950's and 60's without hearing your fair share of good ole' American Roots music. Woodie Guthrie, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins, were always there, on the radio, at the dances and clubs, and on the turntables. Mark has taken the best of that music and incorporated it into his repertoire. Most of all you can hear all of these influences in Mark's original songs. When you listen to Mark's debut album, Great Long Time, you can see what we mean. The album was recorded live in the studio and is an attempt to recreate some of the feel of the original 78 recordings of twenties and thirties. Mark brings a new intensity to some of the classic songs of Robert Johnson, Bill Broonzy, Jimmy Witherspoon and Charles Brown and his original songs are fresh and always soulful. I think you will agree that Great Long Time comes with alot of heart and a sweet tone. Mark has lived in the North San Francisco Bay Area for almost 30 years and plans to continue making music.
<"b000068ukg2999"> About the Artist
Mark McDonald took his first music lesson when he was 5 years old and played woodwind instruments throughout Grade and High School. He bought his first guitar when he was 14 , an electric Silvertone Les Paul Copy ordered from the Sears and Roebuck Catalogue, and delivered to the small Kansas town where he grew up. That started a lifelong relationship with the guitar. There was the inevitable garage band and all the fun that comes with it.
<"b000068ukg4999"> Album Description
Mark McDonald's debut CD is acoustic blues at it's very best. The CD was recorded in an effort to recreate the original Delta Blues recordings of the 1920's and 1930's. All tracks were recorded live in the studio with no overdubs and a minimum of editing. The songs range from country and Delta blues classics and standards to excellent original songs. Also included are 4 instrumentals, featuring acoustic or steel resonator guitar, and one, Great Long Time, with harmonica. This CD is filled with excellent guitar work, soulful harmonica, and strong, honest vocals that come from deep within.
Great Long Time, Music, Mark McDonald, Mark serves up the some of the best in soulful acoustic blues with acoustic and steel resonator guitar and a racked harmonica. Recorded live in the studio.
Music:
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