With a wryly sweet voice a bit reminiscent of Paul Simon and a knack for writing catchy, Steve Earle-style acoustic rockers, Mark Erelli proves, again, that he's one of the more promising, if little known, singer-songwrite... more »rs in Americana. Tracking the unpredictable lessons of love, Erelli uses as his guides moody, reverb-soaked ballads; punchy roots rock; neo-Appalachian murder mysteries; and even some fairly convincing Western swing. The title track (and best song) benefits from the lustrous vocals of Kelly Willis, exquisite imagery, and a hit-the-road-running momentum. The silly satirical jaunt "Little Sister" (who, Erelli repeats, "makes more than you") is less successful, though it rocks like a busker's skiffle. Erelli is first and foremost a romantic: he's most memorable when he lays his heart on the line and overcomes his occasionally clichéd lyrics. On "Before I Knew Your Name" he muses over a dreamy bit of mandola melancholia, and on the country-soul of "Almost Home" he poses a gorgeous, closing enigma that should resonate with both alternative country and contemporary folk connoisseurs. --Roy Kasten« less
With a wryly sweet voice a bit reminiscent of Paul Simon and a knack for writing catchy, Steve Earle-style acoustic rockers, Mark Erelli proves, again, that he's one of the more promising, if little known, singer-songwriters in Americana. Tracking the unpredictable lessons of love, Erelli uses as his guides moody, reverb-soaked ballads; punchy roots rock; neo-Appalachian murder mysteries; and even some fairly convincing Western swing. The title track (and best song) benefits from the lustrous vocals of Kelly Willis, exquisite imagery, and a hit-the-road-running momentum. The silly satirical jaunt "Little Sister" (who, Erelli repeats, "makes more than you") is less successful, though it rocks like a busker's skiffle. Erelli is first and foremost a romantic: he's most memorable when he lays his heart on the line and overcomes his occasionally clichéd lyrics. On "Before I Knew Your Name" he muses over a dreamy bit of mandola melancholia, and on the country-soul of "Almost Home" he poses a gorgeous, closing enigma that should resonate with both alternative country and contemporary folk connoisseurs. --Roy Kasten
CD Reviews
Watch out for this one!!!
Len Jaffe | Springfield, VA United States | 02/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had only heard of Mark Erelli's name in passing up until last Friday night, when he came to perform at the coffeehouse I help to run. Without question, this young man is at the beginning of a very long and successful career as a touring singer/songwriter, and this, his second national release (his third if you count the self-produced album of which were pressed only 1000 copies!!) will be the album the public will hear and take notice. Every song in the set is well-crafted and sung in a way that will let you know this guy is as real as it gets. The funny, tongue-in-cheek "Little Sister", will stay with you for days. I am hoping that Mark decides to allow some cover material to be recorded. He closed his show last week with what I consider to be the finest version of the Willie Nelson-penned Patsy Cline classic, "Crazy", sung without guitar or vocal amplification. There is no doubt in my mind that not only will Mark Erelli be a bright star in the acoustic area, but he will eventually be a yardstick by whom others are measured."
Strong but still maturing
boy_howdy | Northfield, MA United States | 06/28/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Mark Erelli is a local phenom where I come from; I first heard the title track "Compass and Companion" and the rockin' "Miracle Man" on the local radio station I trust the most, and thought them strong enough to merit the album's purchase. I'm glad I did. There are gems in addition to the radio-play cuts, and the album is overall a solid work. I especially like the in-concert feel of "Little Sister" ("My little sister makes more than you..."), and the ballads, especially "Take My Ashes to the River," are sweet and authentical "traditional folk". Erelli is young, and it shows in places. His voice, especially, lacks depth and conviction in some places, and the production is immature -- it sounds like he's performing at an open mic sometimes, instead of taking advantage of the potential of the studio. While in general Erelli's songwriting is strong, with rural themes delivered in a heartfelt sweet tenor with a tinge of local rasp, and there are several gems, the album I think represents a portrait of an artist just on the verge of coming into his own. Still, it bears purchase, and the artist bears watching - if he's this good now, think what the future will bring!"
Not to be missed...
Brenda Campbell | Allston, MA USA | 04/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of those for a desert island... particularly if the island happens to have a strip of 2-lane blacktop and an old Chevy on hand. While the lyrics could use a touch more originality, Compass and Companion is a step up, lyrically, from Mark's eponymous national debut - a CD that's no slouch itself. The title track is the best highway love song Springsteen never wrote. Every cut here is a gem, and every one of them - particularly the bitter satire of "Free Ride" and the comic relief (as if we could need relief from such a voice) of "Little Sister" - works even better live. Mark injects a ripple of almost-pleasurable heartbreak into his voice when it's unaided by CD production. My age and temperament somehow let me resist Deadhead-ism and Phishhead-ism, but I'm in critical danger of becoming a Markhead. Catch this kid in person, and I mean NOW, and on your way, give up the choice slot in the car CD player to Compass and Companion."
Solid, honest folk-rock
Rob Damm | 10/30/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album has really managed to charm me. It certainly isn't anything revolutionary, but it is one of those records where all of the songs sound vaguely familliar. It's a "comfortable" album, one you can sort of ease into and immediatley begin enjoying.Erelli's lyrics are smart, touching, occasionally cloying, but overall very, very good. His tunes are pretty basic, but the music is sung and played with such honesty and emotion that it winds up sounding like more than the sum of its workman-like parts.I'd imagine fans of Robert Earl Keen, Richard Thompson, etc. should enjoy this. There are at least 2 absolutely killer songs: The title track, a great shout-out-loud love song, and "Ghost", a sad-sweet rumination on unrequited love.Great listening for long drives and late nights!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1