Gravity by Paul Mark and the Van Dorens is a
strong collection of songs that pay attention to the songwriting just for the
sake of song to deliver such a thing of wonder. This is a brilliant album, the
11th release which happened to be in-the midst of the Covid-19
crisis. The album was produced by Paul Mark and mastered by Bruce Barielle, New
Orleans LA. Arranged, recorded and mixed by P. Mark in NYC, with Christian
Howes, Eli Bishop, Greg Byer on strings Tess Primack, Connie Laws on background
vocals P. Mark - Vocals, piano, bass, guitar, organ, xylophone, drums,
accordion.
PAUL MARK: https://paulmarkthevandorens.bandcamp.com/album/gravity
The songs on Gravity tend to speak for themselves, including the
Yardbirds cover toward the end of the disc, and it stands up to former releases
dating all the way back to the Go Big OR Go Home CD. The disc kicks off with
what might as well be the title track, “Gravity Is Failing,” and it sets the
tone with a narrative approach in the lyrics. But there’s a lot of things to be
said about the musical arrangement as well, as it plays like a variety of
everything from ragtime piano to folk music. This is a very swash buckling sort
of song with an esoteric feel that combines piano and violin.
“Forever” is the next track and once it starts you know this is a concept album with some storyline holding it together, almost as if it were written with current affairs in mind but I also sense that is a coinciding thing that Paul Mark is not alone in doing. This is a fantastic ballad, and although I have not delved much into his back catalog, I have heard enough to call this on par with what his fans expect him to deliver on.
“I Spin When You Grin” is a more enthusiastic song with a lot
of Leon Russell flair to it, in fact I am most reminded of him and Doctor John
on this album, and they’re two artists anyone wouldn’t mind being compared to.
In fact, it’s hard to know what is-a cover and what isn’t when something sounds
very familiar like this but leave it to Paul Mark because he’s a great
songwriter. And this is just as evident on every self- penned track as it
continues with “The Next Fight,” which is a bit slower but just as entertaining
as anything on this fine album.
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Gravity-Paul-Mark-Van-Dorens/dp/B086V4TDVN
By this time you’re drawn into what’s going on and the rest is
gravy, starting with the very Baroque sounding “Coronation” instrumental to set
up the next track “Con Man VIP” which clearly references the political climate
of late. The organ work throughout this album is a highlight and no exception
to this track. But the next track is a more sobering piece with a very soothing
on outcome, “Friend Gone Astray” and it is another excellently played and sung
tune. Also, worth noting are “You Can’t Take It With You” and a respectable
version of the classic “Heart Full Of Soul” by the aforementioned
Yardbirds.
Joshua Beach
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