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Some of you will be familiar with our good friend and fellow Cohenite Mark Barker, but you should also be aware that Mark himself is very talented.

Finally Mark has managed to take enough time out from his busy dentistry practice in Tennessee to write and record a CD of his own work.

But rather than me telling you about it have a little look at Mark's website at http://www.markbarker.net which is still a "work in progress" but already has heaps of interesting stuff posted. Personally I found the "links" page especially worthwhile.

Man, there's some talented people frequent this forum.
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Paul.

Thanks, Paul! I went ready to listen, but alas no sound clips [yet]! I'm at work today, so have headphones and all . I love the photos. They remind me very much of times I've spent, people I've known ~ and generated a huge dose of melancholia. Ah, the land of Tennessee. You live in a wonderful area, Mark, with great internal spaces, as well! Please let us know when sound clips are available. Guess I'll try to hunt down the Bob Dylan interview [the first, broadcast one in 19 years?] that they had on NPR the other morning, and I missed . Ready to listen and work. [Ahhhh ~ listening now. It's good to hear him talking and singing . Here's the link [I think! not good at that kind of thing, but I copied what was in the Address line, after I got to where I was trying to get. Then, just click on the Listen, once you're there.]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4080202

If that doesn't get you there, just go to http://www.npr.org and then to Archives. Then enter into the slots they provide, Bob Dylan Interview as the key words. Heard within the Last 7 days [it was 10/12/04] and then Morning Edition, for the program it was heard on. Then, click on Listen, once you're there.

Just know that it's very brief, so don't be disappointed by that. He certainly has an endearing lilt in his speaking voice and laugh. This was a 'promo' of sorts for his Chronicles autobiography. There are also five soundclips available of excerpts from the book, read by Sean Penn [though with Sean's 'strong' reading and 'equalized' emphasis on too many of the words, it's hard for me to 'get' by listening to them].

~ Lizzy

The site is nicely designed, and my interest is piqued. Hopefully sound clips will materialize soon and we can all take a listen.

Take care
-J-

Sorry you can't hear the sound clips yet. Mark has had trouble logging on here, but e-mailed me to say sound clips etc should be up on his site within the next week hopefully.

It reminds me of someone else who was going to release a new CD last month but we have to be patient for a little while yet. However we wait eagerly, having read the lyrics.

Joe Way reports that Mark's song "Rifle Range" is based on a true story. The dog's name was "Cohen."
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Paul.

Oh, dear. I haven't read the lyrics to "Rifle Range" ~ however with the word "was," it sounds potentially, very sad. I have a scenario already imagined. I hope I'm wrong.

Looking forward to hearing the soundclips of Mr. Barker. I am quite familiar with the music of many of his influences so I'll probably like it.
As it happens when I was reading about his friends and influences, I was listening to his friend Steve Young whose CD I just received from The Almighty Amazon. And he sure is one of the mightiest voices I've heard, sort of country music's answer to Mario Lanza.

Really!?! That sounds very intrigueing, Kush ~ on Steve Young.

I wouldn't have resurrected this thread if I didn't like the CD, but here is what I wrote in the newsgroup yesterday. So for those who know Mark, or who may be otherwise interested...

It was pouring with rain here today. But in the mail was our own Mark
Barker's CD "The Dream." First I must comment on the efficiency of the
distributors "CD Baby," - 8 days from ordering to my mailbox (Portland to
NZ) was pretty impressive.

And as for the CD, well I'm impressed. Thomm Juntz (producer) obviously
knows his stuff. I don't know much about mixing & mastering and stuff, but I know what sounds good. Mark's voice is very easy on the ear and the background vocals complement it wonderfully well.

I'm glad it was raining. It's a tearjerker. Ideal rainy day stuff. It
definitely won't get a party jumping. In the title track Mark sings "I guess
I am cursed to wear my heart upon my sleeve..." And he sure does. He sings from the heart. At times I felt a bit like what I imagine a "peeping Tom" feels. Except in this case it's as though I was hearing something I really shouldn't, as though it was too personal.

After having cared for my mother-in-law for 2 1/2 years until she died with
Alzheimers disease, the final track "Family Reunion" which deals with the
subject had special significance for me.

Mark has made soundclips (each about 50secs) available at his website
http://www.markbarker.net but, I have found that if you go directly to
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/barker the soundclips available there seem to be 2 minutes duration, (although I don't know if the quality is as good.)

It's stopped raining now.
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Paul.

Hi Paul ~

My former husband would be interested in that song, as well, as he's caring for his own father, who has Alzheimers. I admire your commitment to your wife and mother-in-law. It can be an overwhelming task, even when you have a built-in support system, with each other.

I'm glad you resurrected the thread, as the last time I tried, there were no clips available anywhere! I'll try the two-minute ones when I'm able, and then will likely end up buying Mark's cd. You're right. Eight days to New Zealand is pretty phenomenal. It can take that long between Michigan and Florida.

~ Lizzy