Memorial Hall Recordings [Enhanced]

Mark Erelli | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Signature Sounds
• ASIN: B000060PBO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,102 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The curious will occasionally take the trouble necessary to read an album's liner notes in search of a bit of insight into the music and artist. Today's CD-ROMs save the listener even that trouble. Just click "play" and there's Mark Erelli explaining ... Full Descriptionwhy he recorded his new album in Memorial Hall. The organic setting, combined with the building's history -- dating back to 1884 -- offered the right ambience for a handful of songs. It also offered Erelli a chance to dig deeper into his Massachusetts roots. Traditional pieces like "The Drinking Gourd" and "Blue-Eyed Boston Boy" mix together with originals and a few borrowed tunes from other New England songwriters. "Dear Magnolia" casts a glance back to the Civil War, while "Devil's Train" serves up a healthy dose of Puritan religious imagery. There's also an eight-plus minute rendering of John Greenleaf Whittier's "Ichabod," set against a moody backing track. Bill Morrissey's "Summer Night" is probably the most winning song on the album, mostly because of its gorgeous melody, but one shouldn't neglect Erelli originals like "Call You Home" or the fun closer, "Goodbye." The recording location, choice of songs, and Erelli's confident delivery render The Memorial Hall Recordings a solid singer/songwriter effort. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr. Typically,a 27-year-old musician with a only a few years under his belt would still qualify as the "new kid on the block" with high praise from no less than recent Grammy winner Dave Alvin and a rapidly increasing audience nationwide. Mark Erelli is looking less like a newcomer and more like an honest and powerful new voice in American music. When an artist has arrived, where does he go next? The answer can be found on THE MEMORIAL HALL RECORDINGS, Erelli's stunningly ambitious tribute to the musical and geogrpahical landscapes of New England.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Richly Rewarding, November 29, 2002

By 

Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Memorial Hall Recordings (Audio CD)

Mark Erelli's 3rd disc is an infectious set of folk rock. With a voice sounding like Paul Simon's cousin, Memorial Hall Recordings is a varied, richly rewarding collection of midtempo tracks. "Call You Home" is a catchy remembrance for friends gone by. "Every Goodbye" is another soft remembrance. "What's Changed" sounds like a Texas swing number. "It's a fine time of year to watch you disappear," Mark sings with soft sarcasm on the slow "Fine Time of Year." Erelli does a great take on the traditional folk march "The Drinking Gourd." "Blue-Eyed Boston Boy" is another pretty traditional folk elegy. Kevin Barry's electric guitar accents the midtempo "Dear Magnolia." My favorite track is Bill Morrissey's sweet "Summer Night," "Stand by that window, touch of locust in the wind." "Devil's Train" is a peppy tune that Johnny Cash would love. "Ichabod" meanders sweetly, leaving a pleasant aroma as it passes. "Little Torch" is a soft instrumental with Lorne Entress' celestaphone giving a Mediterranean flavor. "Theresa" is a prisoner's look back at his soon-to-be lost love. The CD concludes with the 40's style "Goodbye." "The Memorial Hall Recordings" is not in a hurry, but like fine dining, it is a satisfying soft mix of melody and remembrance. Erelli's delivered a strong set of folk tunes. Enjoy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great music from a talented singer/songwriter, August 14, 2002

By 

"bostonmusicfan" (Wayland, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memorial Hall Recordings (Audio CD)

This is my 2nd favorite Erelli album (Compass & Companion being the first, which, in my opinion, is one of the best disks in its genre in the past decade). Erelli's voice is a powerful instrument, and he uses it so well on this disk. The songs range from folk to swing, with a touch of blues, all flavored with an americana roots sensibility. The band is sooooo tight (I've been fortunate enough to see them perform - drop everything and go!), the playing is so crisp. This is a pleasure to listen to - I've turned about 10 people on to this disk and haven't heard a complaint yet.