Dirt

Mark Selby

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 28, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B00007JGW9
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #127,173 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #70 in

  Music > Indie Music > Rock > Blues Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
As the title suggests, blues-rocker Mark Selby digs a little deeper for his sophomore solo album and comes up with the goods. The strengths of his previous album, 2000's More Storms Comin', are all present, and his songwriting has acquired more depth and maturity. Selby knows his strong points, and things kick in right away with "Reason Enough." The second song, "Back to My Heart," is something of a power ballad--a daring move, but Selby makes it work. "Willin' to Burn" grooves hard enough to power a V-8 engine. On the slower material, though, Selby still seems a bit self-conscious. Although he hits all the right notes, one doesn't always get the impression that he's writing from experience. On the other hand, the more uptempo material, such as "Unforgiven" and "Moon over My Shoulder," is so tasty that you might not care. There's no question that Selby can rock out. Think how great it would be to hear him really cut loose. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Much different...give it a good listen..., February 4, 2003

By	Nicholas J Marcantonio (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

Mark Selby's second release for Vanguard is in fact much different than More Storms Coming. Storms was full of hard driving blues rock songs with a few slow slide ballads.

On this album, Selby puts out a completely different sound. He nearly abandons his hard rocking, which at first was an extreme disappointment to me. After one listen, only a few songs including "Reason Enough" had the staying power that "Smoked" and "Satisfied" had from Storms. As far as slow songs go, only the title track "Dirt" really had the power and grit that "Blind Since Birth" and "More Storms" had.

There are certainly positive aspects of this album however. Selby's song writing is much deeper and is reflected in his slowed down songs. Most of the album has a mid-tempo groove, which gets better with each listen.

Overall this is a good album, but seems to lack the passion of Storms. This is a good effort by Selby, but leaves me wanting some more rock. If you are a Selby fan, you will probably enjoy this, and if you are looking for some slower stuff, this is a good album to get as Selby's vocals are stronger than ever. But if you want blues rock, this is not your album. Highlights on this album include Reason Enough, Dirt, and Willing to Burn.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better With Every Listen, February 20, 2003

By	Michelle in Awe (the midwest "dirt") - See all my reviews

This album is different from Mark Selby's first "More Storms Comin". As most of the critics are noting - it is deep and intense. On first listen you might long for the driving rock of the first album, but "Dirt" has true power, and staying-power for the real music lover. Wait until you hear "Desire" for the third or fourth time.... The amazing guitar work is subtle, the lyrics make you think, the arrangements are purposeful and brilliant. This is an album to learn from - a great wine - take a little time to savor it and you'll find you can't get enough.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Artist You're NOT Listening To....., February 2, 2003

By A Customer

Dirt should be nominated for Album of The Year -- even if it's just the Blues catagory, Dirt is the album of the year!

The fact that this guy is almost totally ignored by rock radio stuns me. I don't get why he isn't at least talked about more. Mark Selby is the creative force behind many of Kenny Wayne Shepherd's songs, but since KWS is on hiatus following his divorce, Selby has gone on his own to release two great albums. A master of the blues/rock guitar and slide, he shows his stuff even better and more consistantly on his new album "Dirt."

Mark's follow up to '99's More Storms Comin' features and eclectic mix of rock, blues, and southern rock styles formulated nicely on a very smooth album. Standout tracks include "Reason Enough", "Back Door To My Heart", "Willin' To Burn", "You", "Unforgiven", "One Man" and the title track; "Dirt".

The album may be a little slower than the last, but if you really appreciate the blues, then it won't make a difference. The insightful songwriting and talented playing are Selby's signatures and a sign of a truly great artist.

A must-have for the blues rock fan or anybody who appreciates good rock music!