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CD17
MARCO
STOMPIN' GROUND
(Empire)
If you missed Marco's debut solo album, Hold On, you may be more familiar with his work with Blue Heat, the seven-piece band resplendent with horn section out of Warrnambool-.
Stompin' Ground sees Marco performing solo acoustic, giving his songwriting full scope. The result is a fresh and satisfying album featuring fifteen poignant tracks with some great fretwork, harp and Marco's dynamic vocals. All but two of the songs are original. The covers are distinctive versions of Muddy's Mannish Boy and Sonny Boy Williamson's Good Mornin' Little Schoolgirl-. Of the originals I enjoyed the upbeat Burn Out (of course Neil Young mined that area subject matter extensively). The melancholy and evocative Lonely Town was another favourite.
The album is comprised of studio cuts interspersed with live takes. Marco's music - though firmly rooted in the blues traditions- - has evolved to incorporate his other influences, giving the music a relevance to an Australian audience far-removed from the Delta and share-croppin'.
Stompin' Ground comes in a little over an hour and is a worthy addition to any collection of acoustic blues and roots music. Go out and buy it now and support Australian blues!
Helen Farley
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