MARK ELLIOTT: My Great Escape

Mark Elliott

My Great Escape

© 2002 Mark Elliott (625989303029)

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11 original cuts from this "Kerrville New Folk" winner and Nashville staff writer. "My Great Escape" features the duet with the legendary Tom Paxton entitled, "Stars In Their Eyes".

tracks

1 Sea Of Fields
2 Sarah, There's A Storm
3 Yukon
4 She Rode Horses
5 Oklahoma '41
6 Passions
7 Life Under The Big Top
8 My Great Escape
9 Every Man For Himself
10 If I Were A Train
11 Stars In Their Eyes

notes

Mark's acoustic roots run deep. As a teenager, Mark immersed himself in the vibrant bluegrass and folk music scene in Washington, D.C. One of his earliest guitar teachers and mentors was Phil Rosenthal, from the famed bluegrass band, The Seldom Scene. A debut album (Common Ground 1988) and a last minute opening act for Tom Paxton lit the fire of the young writer, leading him to Nashville and a publishing deal with Cherry Lane Music.

Mark has gone on to staff writing positions with major publishing companies including, Bluewater Music Group, Maypop Music Group (owned by the super-group Alabama) as well as Sony Music Publishing. Mark's songs have been recorded by independent and major artists, receiving airplay on radio and TV in the United States and abroad. His songs have hit the Billboard Top Forty charts, highlighted by the hit single by Neal McCoy, "Every Man for Himself." Billboard Magazine called it "a song with rare lyrical and musical edge and the best cut on the album".

Buoyed by wins in singer-songwriter contests at major festivals across the country, Mark began to build a reputation for standout live performances. However, it was winning the Kerrville New Folk Award in 1993 that really put Mark on the map and on the road. As one-half of the duo Culley & Elliott, Mark toured extensively in support of their acclaimed CD, "Flight of Dreams" (1993).

The year 2000 brought Mark back to a solo career and a successful new CD. "My Great Escape," featuring a duet with Tom Paxton (Stars in Their Eyes), was an Americana Chart's top 70 CD. It was played on commercial and public radio programs across the United States and abroad. It generated a #2 song (She Rode Horses) on the independent country chart, "Inside Country". Sing-Out Magazine called it a "superb album" and Music Row Magazine said "almost too good" and "I'll bet he's a killer to hear live."

With experience and perspective that only time and miles can bring, Mark’s 2004 release, "American Road," captures the characters, towns and stories from his well-traveled past. American Road attracted vocal collaborations from luminaries Don Henry (Grammy Award-wining songwriter) and Jonell Mosser (renowned vocalist who has sung with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King and Ringo Starr).

Now in 2006 Mark's road has led back to his Folk and Bluegrass beginnings. The new CD, Pickin' Blackberries shares 12 new songs with some of the most respected names in acoustic music. Mark's guitar and voice, coupled with the likes of IBMA winner Jim Hurst, National finger-picking champion Pete Huttlinger and Americana divas The McCrary Sisters, make for a strong and genuine delivery of captivating stories!



*Mark continues to be proud to use Elixir Strings

reviews

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  • First of all, let me say congratulations on My Great Escape
    author: Bill Parsons, Artists and syndicated music columnist

    First of all, let me say congratulations on My Great Escape. I put it on recently, listened to the whole disk -- and then listened to it again. I NEVER do that. I think you have an undeniable power and sincerity in your voice and writing -- and the entire record is exceptionally well produced!!

  • "My Great Escape" breaks free
    author: Walker T., Folk World Magazine (Europe)

    Nashville-based singer/songwriter Mark Elliott's "My Great Escape" breaks free from the hectic pace of the urban American everyday life. Finally Mark makes his get away full of doubt, full of faith, full of freedom.

  • you've been singing it all your life
    author: Rich & Cindi Morgan, The Endangered Folk Singer Concert Series

    A protege of Tom Paxton, Mark's CD has the kind of timelessness that makes you swear you've been singing it all your life. -Rich & Cindi Morgan, The Endangered Folk Singer Concert Series

  • My Great Escape is GREAT!"
    author: Dave Nemo, The Dave Nemo Radio Network

    "What a fresh sound. My Great Escape is GREAT!"

  • Well crafted and expertly wrapped in melodies that linger
    author: Ellen Kaminsky, The Club Acoustic (Herndon, VA)

    Mark writes from the heart, with material gathered from a well-traveled past, seasoned with experience and observations of the people and regions of his life. All are well crafted and expertly wrapped in melodies that linger.

  • This is very fine
    author: John Roths, Music Director/ KEOS 89.1 FM

    I gave Mark Elliott one listen...and then another and another. This is very fine stuff, and is perfect for the KEOS lineup. I'll get that in Rotation in just a few days. -John Roths, Music Director/ KEOS 89.1 FM

  • What A Pleasant Listening Experience
    author: Robert Matter

    I first heard Mark Elliott at the Kerrville Folk Festival. He performed "Stars In Their Eyes" and I was hooked. That song was the reason I bought this CD. I knew I loved "Stars..." but I wasn't prepared for my reponse to the other songs on the CD. From the beginning notes of "Sea of Fields", to the last notes of the final instrumental song I was mesmerized. The moving melodies, the striking lyrics and Mark's rich vocals have created a very pleasant listening experience. Right now it is one of my favorite CDs. I listen to it often and each time I seem to hear something new. Start the year 2003 off in a positive way....purchase this CD.

  • you’ll gasp at the length of his final sustain
    author: Robert K. Oermann, Music Row Magazine

    The guitar, dobro and percussion work are super in this folkie acoustic production. I’ll bet he’s a killer to hear live—you’ll gasp at the length of his final sustain

  • The lyrics are interesting and meaningful. Elliott delivers them cleanly so that
    author: Victor Heyman/Sing-Out Magazing (v.46/3 pgs. 149-250)

    Mark Elliott, formerly part of the successful duo Culley and Elliott, is a Nashville writer and solo performer. My Great Escape is Mark's second solo album to date; coming a mere thirteen years after his first. Featuring Mark's powerful voice and eleven of his generally superbly well written songs, this recording is well-worth several spins in your CD player. Produced by Doug Wayne, it is a polished and professional product. Unlike most Nashville projects, the songs on this album have mostly been written by one person. Only four of the eleven songs are co-written. "Stars in Their Eyes" is a collaborative creative effort and duet between Elliott and folk songwriting elder statesman Tom Paxton. While co-writing is strongly encouraged in Nashville to build a high flow of songs, it frequently leads to mediocrity. Not here, however. This album reflects the vision of one man, and it does so clearly and precisely. The lyrics are interesting and meaningful. Elliott delivers them cleanly so that every word is understandable. My Great Escape is a superb album. Bravo. - VKH (Singout Magazine, v.46/3 pgs. 149-250)

  • Love Mark Elliott
    author: Marilyn

    I have Mark's Cd and saw him live at the "Bluebird Cafe". He is multitalented......And an excellent songwriter... This CD is great!

  • What sets Mark apart from the other singer-sonwriters is his exceptional voice!
    author: Drew Walen/the Nashville City Paper

    Mark Elliott, one of Nashville's more underated songwriters, will celebrate the release of his new Cub Creek Records release titled, "My Great Escape". What sets Elliott apart from the other singer-songwriters is his exceptional voice. Sure, the guy can write, as evidenced by his lengthy stay with Sony/Tree Music, but his voice is reminiscent of such soul-stirring country crooners as John Berry and T. Graham Brown. My Great Escape is well recorded, and the band is hot, even pulling from the street rock sound of the E Street Band at times!

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