reviews

Americana UK writers' top 20 cds of 2007 listing:

Mark Cool and the Folk Stars "Introducing…" (Folkstar Recordings 2007)Folking cool

"Power chords, histrionic vocals, drum solos, orchestral backing score, ‘wall-of-sound’ production. These are just some of the things that you won’t find within a country mile of this record. Hallelujah.

For an ‘Introductory…’ record this doesn’t do any of the things you might imagine it would – it’s not ‘immediate’, it’s not ‘catchy’, it’s not a grabber of the ‘short and curly’s’.

Whilst we are on the subject there are no superstars present, there is no showboating musically or vocally, there is a particular dearth of hit singles.

So what’s left?

Well…honesty, integrity, simplicity, humour, understatement, restraint, a ‘joire d’vivre’ that can only be found in folk who know exactly where the bottom and the top can be found, catharsis, realisation…

Musically and vocally Mark Cool is Bobby Bare Jr. without the baggage. This is a rootsy, country, bluesy exposition of the highest order. Its partly Lambchop that you can actually hear, partly 1950’s country music that realises that this is the twenty first century, partly damn fine music that X-Factor fans should be required to listen to. When I tell you confidentially that the upright bass on "Woman At A Gas Station’ is better than sex, and you can see where I am ‘coming’ from, then hopefully we are of an accord.

Best track: "Foolish Dreams". Or perhaps any of the other ten. -Paul villers, Americana UK

"...Mark Cool and the Folk Stars is music that is well-grounded, even earthy and gritty in its texture. Yet, it moves forward in an upbeat dynamic way that finds its mark straight to the heart. I trust his words and the authenticity of the music. ... I highly recommend it to you." -Reid Baer, menstuff.org
-Reid Baer, menstuff.org

"The more I listen to Marks music the more it grows on me.It has an authentic beatnick 50's-mid 60's feel about it ,not disimilar to Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan that I find relaxing and pleasantly nostalgic."

-dodgy dave, nessmp3.com

"The house concert was fabulous! Mark Cool's music is sweet - and sometimes funny - it has a depth and power that taps into a tender appreciation for living- even when it's edges are hard - that makes us want to wake up and feel more alive. Mark's voice and presence take us to that place, along the trail he's traveled and come through singing." -Joanna H., house concert hostess

Mark’s lyrics are impeccable...finely-crafted word pictures that take you to personal zones of introspection, memories and pure fun! The house party was a perfect venue to fully hear the songs without distraction. Mark definitely ranks among top folk/country writers.
- Barbara C., house concert attendee


				Mark Cool Reviews



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		Durham magazine interview, 8/09 The State of Things with Frank Stasio, NPR 07/09 Reviews from average Joes and Janes like you: Americana UK writers' top 20 cds of 2007 listing: Mark Cool and the Folk Stars "Introducing…" (Folkstar Recordings 2007)Folking cool "Power chords, histrionic vocals, drum solos, orchestral backing score, ‘wall-of-sound’ production. These are just some of the things that you won’t find within a country mile of this record. Hallelujah. For an ‘Introductory…’ record this doesn’t do any of the things you might imagine it would – it’s not ‘immediate’, it’s not ‘catchy’, it’s not a grabber of the ‘short and curly’s’. Whilst we are on the subject there are no superstars present, there is no showboating musically or vocally, there is a particular dearth of hit singles. So what’s left? Well…honesty, integrity, simplicity, humour, understatement, restraint, a ‘joire d’vivre’ that can only be found in folk who know exactly where the bottom and the top can be found, catharsis, realisation… Musically and vocally Mark Cool is Bobby Bare Jr. without the baggage. This is a rootsy, country, bluesy exposition of the highest order. Its partly Lambchop that you can actually hear, partly 1950’s country music that realises that this is the twenty first century, partly damn fine music that X-Factor fans should be required to listen to. When I tell you confidentially that the upright bass on "Woman At A Gas Station’ is better than sex, and you can see where I am ‘coming’ from, then hopefully we are of an accord. Best track: "Foolish Dreams". Or perhaps any of the other ten. -Paul villers, Americana UK "...Mark Cool and the Folk Stars is music that is well-grounded, even earthy and gritty in its texture. Yet, it moves forward in an upbeat dynamic way that finds its mark straight to the heart. I trust his words and the authenticity of the music. ... I highly recommend it to you." -Reid Baer, menstuff.org -Reid Baer, menstuff.org "The more I listen to Marks music the more it grows on me.It has an authentic beatnick 50's-mid 60's feel about it ,not disimilar to Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan that I find relaxing and pleasantly nostalgic." -dodgy dave, nessmp3.com "The house concert was fabulous! Mark Cool's music is sweet - and sometimes funny - it has a depth and power that taps into a tender appreciation for living- even when it's edges are hard - that makes us want to wake up and feel more alive. Mark's voice and presence take us to that place, along the trail he's traveled and come through singing." -Joanna H., house concert hostess Mark’s lyrics are impeccable...finely-crafted word pictures that take you to personal zones of introspection, memories and pure fun! The house party was a perfect venue to fully hear the songs without distraction. Mark definitely ranks among top folk/country writers. - Barbara C., house concert attendee