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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lost in time,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Mark-Almond 2 (Audio CD)
I saw these guys in Santa Monica in '72. They were brilliant. But they had the misfortune of following Loggins & Messina in their first big gig. The crowd wanted to rock but Mark Almond was all about the dark and the cerebral. At one point, Jon Mark said with maximum sarcasm, "If you're here to see the Allman Bros, they're playing down the street."
This album is their masterpiece. Impossibly laid back, it weaves its tale of Bay area angst and ennui with the most marvelous unhurried sense of timing. Eloquently balancing Mark's classical guitar and wistful voice with Almond's tenor sax, the listener is plunged into the self-absorbed sense of lostness that was so commonplace in the early '70s. It's not exactly jazz but it will do.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mark Almond: A Their Very Best. A Really Wonderful Album!!...,
By Chris Stayt "reissue on to CD all of the lost... (Gloucestershire, England.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mark-Almond 2 (Audio CD)
_______________________________
:(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>): Hello there.... When I think back over my years of collecting records, very few of my purchases have embedded themselves so deeply into my mind as this album, (Mark-Almond 2).... I would say that it is in my top'3, maybe even my number'1... I can even remember where, and when I first heard it... It was during an all night record session with my friends... It was in a cottage in Gloucestershire, near, Stow-On-The-Wold, and it was way back in the early 1970s.... :(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>): ******(MARK-ALMOND 2)****** (MARK-ALMOND 2) commences with the 4part, 21minute long, (SAUSALITO BAY SUITE), which is penned by, (Jon Mark)... _______________________ *(THE BRIDGE)(5'Min-55'Sec)* *(THE BAY)(5'Min-34'Sec)* *(SOLITUDE)(6'Min-10'Sec)* *(FRIENDS)(4Min-13'Sec)* ****************** The first two parts are titled, (THE BRIDGE):(5'Min-55'Sec) and (THE BAY)(5'Min-34'Secs).... ****(SAUSALITO BAY SUITE)**** *********(PART-ONE)******** ********(THE BRIDGE)******* In these opening pieces we find ourselves being gently conveyed to the colourful, and vibrant world of holiday tourists, and marine county life of the San Francisco Bay area... This picturesque scene is conjured to the listener by, (Jon Mark's) imaginative, and vivid lyrics, such as:- "I think i'll go get me a clean pair of Levi's, join all the tourists in white socks, and bright ties, cross to the city, and see how the night flies"... (Wow!, really nice lyrics arn't they)... Now, it is at this point of the piece that the arrangement departs from its, gentle sea-front scenario and moves into a fast, slick, rapid paced night-life theme where, (Johnny Almond) takes over the proceedings with a very polished saxophone solo, (Dannie Richmond) is let loose on the drums, and (Tommy Eyre) plays his electric piano like a true maestro... The mood of everything has now completely changed, and in jazz terms, the piece, (really cooks!!).. After this brief, (fast paced) interlude the scene returns again to its gentle sea-front scenario, and in this mode on to the end of the piece.... These pieces are beautifully delivered by, (Jon Marks) haunting, soulful voice.... Please note: (Roger Sutton) provides the vocal for (Sunset).... :(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>): ****(SAUSALITO BAY SUITE)**** *********(PART-TWO)******* *********(THE BAY)******** The second part of: (THE SAUSALITO BAY SUITE): penned by, (Jon Mark) is titled, (THE BAY) and has a (5'min-32'sec) duration.... Question: Have you ever felt all lazy, and lethargic, and been gazing morosely into the room?... Have you ever felt totally un-able to summon up the strength required in-order to raise yourself up out of that armchair?... I'm sure that we have all felt this way at one time, or another... It may have been because of tiredness, maybe that bottle of wine, or most likely simply because of apathy.... What ever the reasons were for feeling this way, it is this, deep and (morose atmosphere) that has been skilfully conjured up in this beautiful piece called (THE BAY).... Personally when ever I hear this, (stunning piece) a gorgeous dream-scape is conjured up within my imagination... Within this, (fanciful), and (exotic) situation I see a lonely, and isolated beach house... Inside this, remote and, out of the way dwelling place a sea breeze is gently billowing the curtains of an open window... In (THE BAY), (Jon Mark) writes, (visionary), and (temperamentle) lyrics, such as:- "Chimes in empty rooms, un-made bed, dusty canyon, wine, cheese, and bread... "In solitude, my melancholy room, weary of wandering, home soon, yellow candle light, sweet red wine".... With such thought provoking, and evocative lyrics as these an (enchanting dream-scape) is vividly conjured... This exotic atmosphere is further enhanced by a wondeful use of echo, and wind chimes.... :(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>): ***(SAUSALITO BAY SUITE)*** ********(PART-TWO)******* ********(SOLITUDE)******* Part'3, titled: (SOLITUDE):(6'min-10'sec)... In Part'3 which is titled, (SOLITUDE) all these (engossments), and (atmospheric) themes that have been established in (THE BAY) are further developed.... Within this (sullen), and (emotive) rendition the listener is gently transported as if in a (dream-like state) by the enticing imagery of, (Jon Mark's) evocative, and picturesque lyrics.... :(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>): **(SAUSALITO BAY SUITE)** *******(PART-FOUR)***** ********(FRIENDS)****** Part,4, titled, (FRIENDS):(4'Min-13'Sec) is an unnassuming, delicate little ballad which consists entirely of, (Jon Mark's) heart-felt vocal, whilst accompanying himself on an acoustic guitar.... Much of the charm of this lovely song is due to its perfect simplicity.... This is a truly sensative piece of music, and the lyrics are absolutely enchanting.. So enchanting are they that I easily find myself in complete empathy, and understanding with the reflective aspirations that are so skilfully conveyed within them.... These are the sort of lyrics that I really admire, (as is the case with every track on this brilliant album).... They are the sort of lyrics that must have been, (artistically speaking) akin to, (human child-birth).... There would have been the initial conception, and eventually, after much labour, the birth of a lovely song.... There must have been an, (artistic struggle) as this poet travailed in order to bring forth his (vision) that he had been conceived within his, (inspired heart)... It would have been after a good deal of creative endeavour that his frustrations would have been replaced by the (far surpassing joy) of giving birth to this beautiful composition.... I love this songs, (heart-felt honesty), and (Jon Mark) must have felt (exulted) when he had finally succeeded in giving birth to this, (dream song) which he had translated from his heart, through to his pen, and down onto the page... (Jon Mark's) gifted inventiveness has brought forth this, (delicate little gift), from the, (ethereal realm), through to our (material world) for us to love, and enjoy.... It is absolutely clear to me that the words that make up this beautiful song were borne from the heart... Thankyou Jon.... _______________________________ :(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>)::(<>): *(JOURNEY THROUGH NEW ENGLAND)* Next on the menu we have, (JOURNEY THROUGH NEW ENGLAND) which consists of 3'parts, and is 23'minutes long.... ____________________________ *(ONE WAY SUNDAY)(5'Min-35'Sec)* *(SUNSET)(6'Min-30'Sec)* *(BALLAD OF A MAN)(11'Min-52'Sec)* ************************** *(JOURNEY THROUGH NEW ENGLAND)* **********(PART-ONE)********* *******(ONE WAY SUNDAY)****** First up is the, (serenely tranquil), (ONE WAY SUNDAY):(5'Min-35'Sec) written by, (Jon Mark).... Again, (Jon Mark's) lyrics are absolutely exquisite as he describes the more heart-breaking aspects of touring with a band, and having to leave his loved one(s) at home... It is in the (second from last) verse that he writes:- "Maybe when my travelling days are through, I will come on back and stay at home with you"... This piece closes with a masterful flute solo by, (Johnny Almond).... But personnally I must say that it has often been the, (first verse) that has proved to be the most effecting to me... The first verse reads:- "Here in the morning light I stand, with a suit-case and a guitar in my hand".... It is many a sunday morning that I have felt, (spiritually inspired) to take a saunter across the fields to the river, or to amble down by the lakes with this lovely song flowing through my mind... It has always been theraputically up-lifting for me, but in a (self-possessing), and (introverted) kind of way.... The fact is this; (Mark-Almond 2) is one of those, uniquely, unparalleled, laid-back albums that has been, (imbued) with that very rare capability of (captureing), and (en-slaving) any listener who is possessed by a (vulnerable, poetic heart).... This is what happened to me.... There seemed to be nothing particularly unusual, or ominous about that fateful night, and I had no sense of forbodeing, or any feeling that fate was waiting in the wings... Everything about that singular night seemed ordinary, mainstream, and quite unremarkable, until, (during the afore mentioned all night record session) my attention was drawn to some beautiful music playing on the hifi... Well, I took hold of the album cover, and having read it I noted that it was called, (Mark-Almond 2).... This album got played a lot during that night, and my friend who owned it very kindly said that I could borrow it for a week, or two, (but I did not know my peril!!).... As a result of borrowing it, (and also of having had the exceedingly good fortune of finding it among a stack of secondhand LP's), I had became aware that (Mark-Almond 2) was now an inseparable part of my life, (I had been extremely lucky to have found a copy at all, because even in those days this record was very hard to find).... After a week, or so my situation had become startlingly clear to me, I had fallen... Read more ›
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