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Hometown: New York, NY
Label: Danal Music LLC
Management: Rick Eberle
Website: www.marknewman.us
Sounds Like: Little Feat, Allman Brothers Band
Genre: Singer Songwriter
Growing up in New York, Mark Newman’s musical journey has taken him around the world several times as both sideman and singer/songwriter. This ace stringsman (guitar, lap steel, mandolin, dobro) and accomplished songwriter is the type of singer whose warm and expressive voice sounds like an old friend. He put it all together on 2006’s Must Be A Pony (Danal Music, LLC). Now, he takes a quantum leap forward with the stunning Walls Of Jericho (Danal Music. LLC).
Sharing the stage with such notables as soul legend Sam Moore, John Oates, Sting, the late Willy DeVille, Yardbirds drummer Jim Mc Carty and Sam The Sham, has given Newman the perspective to craft an individualistic sound framed in straight-from-the-hip rock’n’roll, simmering with the subtle flavors of blues, R’n’B, funk, folk and soul.
Walls of Jericho is chockfull of intricate guitar work, mixed up front to create a synthesis of pure Americana: folksy charm, arrogant rock, hippie nostalgia (a charming cover of 1969 San Francisco band It’s A Beautiful Day’s “White Bird” that sounds like an old folk song) and Dylanesque moments (“Fire On The Water”).
In describing the album’s sound, Newman contends it’s more fleshed out, more song-oriented. To that end, his lyrical touch has been elevated into the realm of the profound and the universal. In “Taking Pictures,” he writes, “to preserve my memories because you can’t get the moments back once they’re gone.” The first verse is about his son. The second verse is about his father. “He was a real character,” Newman remembers, “right out of a Damon Runyon story: one tough truck driving man with pancreatic cancer who never even once admitted to us he was going down.”
His guitar playing has been compared to that of Duane Allman and Lowell George for years. When he’s not being called upon to add color and flavor to another artist’s vision—which is often—he’s been able to construct, fine-tune and finish such an accomplished piece of work as Walls Of Jericho.
““Newman can play just about anything with frets and strings (guitar, Dobro, lap steel, mandolin). This mix of first-class originals (“Medicine Marie”) and eclectic covers (“Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl,” “White Bird”) proves he’s at the head of the class.” ”
Vintage Guitar
“Those who want singer/songwriter stuff with a soulful bite will enjoy this one.”
Sun Herald (Biloxi, MS)
"What you'll notice about his playing is its clarity of tone and how he has integrated it into the overall flow of each song. His songs aren't simply excuses for him to unleash blistering guitar solos or to show off in any manner, they are fully crafted pieces of work made up of more than just his own talents on stringed instruments."
Blogcritics Music
“Music is simple and straightforward as far as singer-songwriter Mark Newman is concerned. Unambiguously influenced by 60s and 70s pop-rock, the robustly crafted songs on this album recalls the likes of Van Morrison, Donald Fagan, Boz Scaggs, Steve Miller & Lindsay Buckingham. Good news for fans of that special musical epoch.”
Power of Pop.com
“From the first few measures, Walls of Jericho captures its musical prey – you and me… Mark Newman’s rolled out a solid album that should turn some heads. Give this guy a listen, and maybe a couple of spins, in order to get into his straightforward style.”
Guitar International
“It's a strong slice of urban Americana that jumps around stylistically, while retaining enough of an artistic focus to make it a real album, instead of just a collection of songs...Overall Walls of Jericho is well worth a listen for any fan of acoustic music, singer/songwriters, electric pop/rock . . . really, any listener who wants to get turned on to a great talent wouldn’t go wrong by checking this record out.
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We Will Rock You
“After only one run through of Walls Of Jericho, it is immediately apparent that you are listening to a master craftsman, blending blues, rock 'n' roll, funk, folk …”
Sea of Tranquility
“It's not often you come across a fairly new player with an incredibly sharp classic sound. That's certainly the case with Mark Newman. His new album just rocks. Newman's middle of the road rock style is one winning formula..."Walls of Jericho" instantly puts you in a great mood. It's a very positive album, catchy and memorable.”
69 Faces of Rock
“A great pop/rock CD with a wide breadth of memorable music and musicianship, Walls Of Jericho is a splendid introduction to the music of Mark Newman. Accurately described as a triple threat musician, Newman’s music and vocals are truly first rate while his guitar work is nothing to scoff at.”
MWE3.com
“With a deep voice perfect for blues and Southern rock, Newman seems poised to take the reins as the next rough and tough grassroots superstar.”
Daily Tar Heel, University of North Carolina
“Newman creates musical environments that surround his poetic lyrics in tasty soundscape vistas that accentuate but never intimidate this message, mainly that no matter how cynical the adult in one gets, the answer lies in attempting to rediscover the unbridled optimism of childhood.”
Exclusive Magazine
“If there is a complaint I have with Mark Newman’s latest release, ‘Must Be A Pony’ it is that it is too short.”
All Access Magazine
“Fans of ‘70’s styled guitar rock rejoice – there’s a new hero in town and his name is Mark Newman…Newman carries on the tradition with style. The man can rock and pull the blues out of his guitar…This is one of the best albums of the year for the genre.”
Music Street Journal
“Mark Newman has delivered an album full of memorable songs which recall the best of bands such as Little Feat, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the melodic side of The Allman Brothers, resulting in a fantastic listen for fans of those artists, or quality rock as well.”
Rock N Roll Universe
“Newman presents solidly constructed, bare bones pop songs. Catchy in an Allman Bros. kind of way, they swing and groove comfortably in and around each other...Overall, a solid engaging bit of American songwriting.”
The Aquarian Weekly (New Jersey)
“Newman plays dark, mood laden roots rock Americana that invokes the sound of Ry Cooder’s earlier work, Lowell George-era Little Feat (minus all the jam sessions), and Robin Trowers more laid back material.
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YTSE Jam
