Mark Crissinger - Believe In Love

Size: 101,7 MB
Time: 44:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2019
Styles: Blues Rock
Art: Front

01. Believe In Love (5:04)
02. I Hear You're Talking (4:14)
03. I'ma Gonna Love You (3:30)
04. Roll With The Punches (3:06)
05. Bluesercise Boogie (3:52)
06. La Hoochie Coo (3:47)
07. Nothing Left To Lose (4:31)
08. Heartache And Trrouble (5:31)
09. Hard No (4:34)
10. Hornby (5:49)

Guitarist singer/songwriter Mark Crissinger is an Ontario native who has lived in Nanaimo since 2007. He was in bands here but has concentrated on his solo career since his move. This is his tenth album and it features a backing band consisting of some of Nanaimo’s top players: Bill Hicks on drums, Jay Stevens on bass, Darcy Phillips on keyboards, Marty Howe on harp and Pierre Komen on tenor sax. He wanted a lighter, dance-oriented “blues therapy” sound and I think he has succeeded admirably. Komen’s sax work leads off on the title song, a rocking plea to “Believe in Love” with a stunning lead guitar solo from Crissinger. Phillips’ rock ‘n roll piano highlights “I Hear You Talking (But You Ain’t Saying Much to Me)”. Only slightly slower is “I’m Gonna Love You”, Phillips is on organ this time and there’s another succinct and effective guitar solo. Crissinger switches to acoustic with Howe on harmonica for “Roll with the Punches” a little Piedmont styled blues that’s as easy going as the title suggests. With the same acoustic lineup and livelier tempo, he tells of a visit to his doctor who prescribes exercise and Crissinger decides on dancing – “Bluesercise Boogie” should be just what the doctor ordered. “La Hoochie Coo” is sung in French but you won’t need your phrase book, just your dancing shoes. There’s time for a slow dance too, to “Heartache and Trouble”. With a lovely acoustic guitar part, piano, harmonica and Hicks on brushes, Crissinger pleads for her return and he whistles along with the harmonica solo. A grinding electric blues gets some of his strongest singing as he sings for those in the working classes who realize they can’t realize their dreams. He calls it “(That’s a) Hard No”. He concludes with a well-written, rocking tribute to the Hornby Island Blues Camp.

Believe In Love

---

Mark Crissinger - Night Light

Size: 103,8 MB
Time: 44:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Electric Blues, Rockin' Blues
Art: Front

01. Holding My Heart (3:40)
02. Poor Boy Blues (4:56)
03. Night Light (4:52)
04. Defeated (4:07)
05. One Of These Days (3:36)
06. The Sunday Blues (3:02)
07. Cedar Shuffle (4:07)
08. A Simple Truth (4:57)
09. Wild Wind Fever (5:51)
10. Run (5:35)

Mark Crissinger has been playing in pubs, clubs, festivals, and fairs since 1987. Between 1987-2007 he played an estimated 1500 shows in Ontario and Quebec including eighteen tours of the Maritime Provinces. Together with his bands he has opened for many legendary artists and appeared in over two dozen Canadian festivals.

In 2009 he began to focus on a solo career showcasing his love for song writing blues, and roots music. Since then, he has released five solo albums and played over 800 shows including twelve eastern Canadian tours and several west coast music festivals. His one-man show features an array of crazy guitar solos and flawless looping which has gained him popularity on the solo tour circuit. The CRISSINGER Band is known for their upbeat danceable show and always features an all-star cast. His latest CD "Blues Expression" can be heard on blues radio programs across Canada and the United States.

“The reviews have been great and I am very proud of the cd. I've wanted to make a blues album for a long time--original music that draws from the influences of my peers, heroes and teachers. This is what I mean by contemporary blues. It's a tip of the hat to the traditional while adding a few twists and turns to make the music modern. It is my blues expression.”.

Night Light

---