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Mark
Gorman has a just released a bright new local album,
All Night Long. After listening to just
the first two tracks, I realized that I'd have to
chew on this album a little before sizing it up. The
beloved Wind and Ages CD that had fans
lost in stories of the Old West; the wonderful imagery
and mystique of the lyrics on the past aren't
on this album.
 At
first this felt like a plummeting disappointment.
After a second listen I heard the unique, always recognizable
trait of Mark Gorman alive in these songs. Though
this album is more traditional country, Mark and his
boys have proven their staying power and proven that
they have eased themselves into a position of professionalism
and musical quality. We have seen Mark's growth as
a singer/songwriter and producer over his last two
albums and can't wait for the rest of the world to
discover the magic.
All
Night Long starts in as you pop in the CD.
A fun, proud-to-be-a-Texan tune that utilizes more
traditional country instruments than Mark Gorman used
until now like a slide guitar, a violin and wonderful
vocal accompaniment by his band members: Chris, Mickey
and Steve. This shuffling tune leads you to the dancefloor.
Todo
El Tiempo is a soulful love song sung in both
Spanish and English. This song delicately lays out
the love for his partner. "Te amo el tiempo".'
I've loved you all my life' Beautiful vocals sang
slowly, relaxed and comforted. The words, the piano
and the timely Mickey Hartzog on drums and cymbals
lend themselves well to this song.
Ode
to a Wounded Madman begins with a fun yodel.
Another cherished story-song, Ode to a Wounded madman
tales the tale:
Over
in the corner at a table playing cards
Sat
a bunch of cowboys that I knew
I
got my shot of whiskey
And
I went to join my "pards"
In
hopes to do a little gambling too
But
tempers were flaring and before I even saw
sixguns
were banging everywhere.
The
piano strolls up and down the keys as Mark sings and
yodels on about the gunfight that ensued and how they
hung the guilty cowboy at the break of dawn.
 A
Texas Kind of Country could have just
have easily been performed by the great Mr. George
Strait himself. This song sounds just like the Ace
in the Hole Band and the upbeat, pure country falls
in place here. Just as Strait has stayed out of the
Nashville clique, Mark sings proudly of Texas music
and it's finest. This fun, boot-scootin' song is kept
solid with Chris Parker on bass keeping a swinging
4 beat. Mark has crafted the perfect album, mixing
Western Texas Swing with radio friendly hits.
Gone
like the Buffalo is another storybook tale.
The intricate, delicate acoustic guitar work lulls
you into the sounds of Mark's voice and the sad fiddle.
A woeful tale of a man who chased buffalo. When they
were all gone, he recognized that it was his turn,
too to disappear. He too was already gone. This song
touches the soul and should be considered a single
along with A Texas Kind of country. This metaphor
for live recognizes the maturity it takes to know
when it's over; whether it be relationship, a job
or a way of life. The seasoned country music writer
shows his experiences on his belt this album; and
what a pleasure to listen to.
Mark's
current crowd favorite, Santa Anna Tortillas,
is a cute song about getting naked and making 'Santa
Anna tortillas" all night long. This song isn't
my favorite, but I'm sure it is in every Honky Tonk
from here to the Mississippi.
Closing
this work, I'm Going Home leaves you
wanting more. The guitar flys in a groovy ditty before
the band and vocals come in. Talk about going home
cause "I've been gone for too damn long".
This good humor song talks about a cowboy turning
around and going back home. He says he'll visit all
the girlfriends and make sure they're having fun.
The fiddle and one-two of the drums keeps you on your
toes. Departing from the folklore style of his last
Album Wind and Ages, the All Night
Long proves Mark's versatility and style are
an A+ combination that I expect to hear from the airwaves
soon. There are too many good country songs on this
album for it not to be noticed. Hats off to the Mark
Gorman band!. www.markgormanband.com
-
Hyacinth,
dallasmusic.com
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