Published on Jun 4, 2004
An acoustic guitar strumming chords full of longing and
regret… a big lonely voice with rough edges that
endear… a set of songs more about mood than substance, raw
emotion than story-telling. This is Mark McKay.
Taking up the American troubadour tradition walked before him by
the likes of Woody Guthrie, Steve Earle, Neil Young and Bruce
Springsteen, McKay distinguishes himself by drawing portraits that
are more impressionistic than naturalistic. “Constantine gardens
appear when you smile / Talk to me please, bring me back to me”
doesn’t exactly get you from point A to point B, but set against a
sweetly rolling melody, it sounds wonderful.
“Constantine Gardens” is one of three songs that actually appear
twice on this mostly live disc. The first half is McKay with just
his acoustic guitar and occasional support from the honey-voiced
Kris Delmhorst, who doubles on fiddle and cello. In the solo/duo
format, McKay’s songs have a starkness that serves them well,
zeroing you in on his words, whose very precision obscures their
murky subjects.
The second half of the disc is McKay with a full electric band.
Rather than simply filling out the sound, though, these
arrangements transform the songs — much like with Earle or that
proto-Springsteen Matthew Ryan — into big, keening, rapturous rock
and roll . In this setting, McKay has the cojones to cover
Springsteen’s “Atlantic City.” To his credit, it sounds great –
full of all the anger and desperation the lyric demands — even if
it reminds you how much McKay’s mythic poetry on a human scale owes
to the Boss.
Other notable tracks include the twice-appearing “Nashville,”
with its wonderful riddle “I will not be a breaker anymore” – is it
the abandoned woman or the remorseful man who speaks this line? Is
the person who says it a heartbreaker? A wedding vow-breaker? Or
someone with the bad habit of breaking everything they touch?
Regardless, the regret that echoes through this song is palpable
and moving.
“Long Lost Louise” is an evocative narrative of the wide open
West, full of images of “sweating hills,” “green barns and green
grass.” Right out of the American troubadour songbook, you’ll also
find road songs (“90 Miles”), amusing story-songs (“Mercedes”) and
a stirring electric, slide and vocals cover of an old traditional
(“Moonshiner,” also famously covered by Uncle Tupelo).
Live From The Memory Hotel also benefits from superb
production – this is as clean and well-mixed a live recording as
you’ll ever find — courtesy of McKay and Jared Bartlett. Behind
the dials for the studio album McKay is currently finishing up for
release — and which will feature many of these songs — was Roscoe
Ambel, who quite naturally headed out from there to play guitar in
Steve Earle’s touring band. Look for the new disc, and
Memory Hotel, at
www.markmckaylive.com. You won’t be sorry.