Review: Mark Erelli—Compass & Companion

Mark Erelli is an exciting, new artist on the acoustic scene. Still in his twenties, he paints bold strokes with a musical palette that includes some country, a bit of traditional folk, a dash of blues and lots of good singer-songwriter tunes. His voice contains a bit of Ellis Paul’s reedy tenor, but it’s the way he sings and the songs he writes that make him stand apart from many of his contemporaries. Take "Ghost," [RealAudio clip from the Signature Sounds web site] the first cut off of Compass & Companion. From the opening chords of the guitar and percussion, we know this is something special:

I’m not the kind to believe in superstition
But lately the truth I have seen
is stranger than nonfiction
You race through my blood
Some kind of sweet addiction
Heaven help the fool who falls in love

Of course it doesn’t hurt to have Duke Levine helping out on electric guitar and mesmerizing mandola.

The title track, "Compass & Companion," is a duet with country great Kelly Willis. It addresses what it’s like to crisscross the roads of America, making one gig after another, night after night. Great tenor vocals with a bit of grit, Erelli on harmonica, Levine on electric guitars and Willis on harmony make this one memorable.

"Why Should I Cry Over You" is country swing updated for the new century. Hank Williams and Bob Wills would smile over this one. Can we get up and dance?

"Little Sister" is a rocker that harkens back to the golden age of rock & roll. It’s a delightful tune that pokes fun at the ability to strike it rich in the "new economy." His little sister is making big bucks right out of school, while the singer plugs away at his songs and gigs.

And, would it be folk without a love song? No way. "Before I Knew Your Name" demonstrates Erelli’s talent for penning a tune by being able to say, "I love you" in a new and different way:

I walked these streets before I knew your name
Now you’re by my side and nothing seems the same
Has everything turned upside down or am I the one who changed
I walked these streets before I knew your name.

Erelli knows how to surround himself with some of the best players around: Duke Levine on electric guitar and mandola, Lorne Entress on keyboards and percussion, Dave Dick on banjo, and Kevin Barry on guitar.

Watch for Mark Erelli in the days to come. His talent reaches far beyond the confines of what we categorize as contemporary singer-songwriter. His ability to incorporate a variety of musical genres, from folk, to country, to rock, to the blues into his own trademark sound is remarkable. And the way he uses his voice not only to deliver a song, but as a reed instrument is a hallmark of an artist experienced well beyond his years. Mark Erelli is something special. —Roberta B. Schwartz