Mark Goodwin - Let Me Down Easy
Palindrome 1996
Independent Artist
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Review Published May 15, 1998
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Track Listing
1 Boogie WoogieAll Night Long
2 Let Me Down Easy
3 I'd Rather Be Blind
4 Same Old Blues
5 Firehouse Boogie
6 Cherry Red
7 You Upsets Me
8 How Many More Years
9 Ain't Nobody HereBut Us Chickens
10 The Midnight Hour
11 Hey Little Girl
EB Rating - 3.5
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Let Me Down Easy is drenched with atmosphere. Imagine a small, poorly lit club. It's late,
well after midnight. There are a just a few club patrons left, mostly engaged in quiet, private conversation. The cigarette smoke from the
earlier crowd has started to thin. Off in a back corner of the room, the band is playing their final set. Many of the remaining patrons are
oblivious to the not-so-loud music, but those who are paying attention are thoroughly enjoying the band's efforts.
Mark Goodwin's strong vocals and nifty piano playing are the center of the CD's focus. There is guitar support, but it's very subtly
applied, even on the ocasional lead break. The music for the most part is laid-back and relaxing, yet moving, and ranges through styles of ballad, soul, blues,
but does work up to some boogie and honky-tonk from time to time. There's even some Louisiana flavoring in the mix.
This CD was produced by
Bobby Mack, who's band Mark is a member of. It is very consistent in it's delivery. Most will probably either really like it or dislike it. Given my
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preference for guitar-driven blues, this music is well off the beaten path for me.
If I were a surfer reading this review, I would likely shy away. But the fact is,
I really like Let Me Down Easy.
For me, an added quality of this CD is it's uniqueness, and the fact that
not everybody on the block's gonna have it.
Comments from Mark Goodwin
Many years ago, when I was growing up, my folks were into country
music. At that time among the numerous country artists gracing the
airwaves of the AM radio in my dad's car, was one named Ray Charles.
I knew at the age of five that there was something very different
about Ray. When I discovered that Ray had an entire repertoire of
stuff other than "Your Cheating Heart", I was hooked for life. This
CD is a celebration of my favorite artists. In here you will find
songs by Howling Wolf, Ray Charles, King Curtis, Louis Jordan, Leon
Russell, and my own personal favorite, Freddie King. Come on in to
this nice, dark, cool place. Relax, kick back, chill out for a few
minutes. There, isn't that better? I hope you enjoy listening to
this CD as much as I enjoyed recording it for you. Signed, Mark Goodwin
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