An astute move by Fellside this album. Mostly known for more traditional recordings "Johnny There", puts the rogues back in the nation. This is nothing short of complicated, and falls into no readily available terms of reference. That's good too. Mark T and his mates, the Brickbats, cook up a loosely folk based stew of acoustic delivery spiced with various musical herbs to garnish. One spoonful could be jazz, blues or African inspired. You've heard of an Irish Stew? Well here's a United Nation broth. Inventive if not totally inspired listening. "Johnny There" is never less than interesting.
SIMON JONES
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"To Beat the Drum"
No. 4
MARK T & THE BRICKBATS - JOHNNY THERE (FELLSIDE FE052)
Last issue we brought to your attention the wonderful Rory McLeod, well, welcome to issue 4's Rory McLeod, the one and only Mark T. listen, and listen good, this here record is fabulous. Bloody brilliant, sodding superb. I won't go on. The Brickbats consist of Tim Hill on Alto Sax, Clarinet and percussion, who's into free jazz and Mike Townsend on Melodeon, Hammered Dulcimer, percussion and synthesiser, who back the vocals, percussion, guitar, bouzouki and marimba of Mark T himself.
Not easy to explain just what the hell's going on on this record as there touches of blues, rock, folk and free jazz. You've got to hear "Avant Le Blond", "Johnny There" and "Living In The Land of Cain" to see what I mean. I want to rush out and scream at all the cloth eared dingbats that this it IT! I took lord Macdonald's recommendation of Rory McLeod's "Angry Love" in the last issue and went into raptures about that one. I hope you'll take the recommendation of this magnificent melting pot of a record and take part in the celebration of mavericks being enjoyed by those of us lucky and clever enough to have heard the likes of Mark T and his Brickbats and Rory McLeod. Kindred spirits unite and kick out the shite. This is the business, (enough, enough, I think you should take his recommendation, as it is a rather spiffing LP. - Ed.)
"Dancing" Dick Barnes
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Johnny There
Mark T lays claim to the unusual eclectic pedigree but, whether because of or in spite of, emerges as an original voice. A bit frenetic on the opening track (Green Brooms), perhaps, but nonetheless he and his Brickbats make some very appealing sounds. The intro and accompaniment to Going Down The Road fair fizzles and the dulcimer, pipes and percussion build up nicely on a sparky Breton tune called Loop To Lee. The highlight is not Mr Ts performance of his own songs but seven minutes worth of Sweet William, a useful demonstration of what a new voice (sounding at times like both Dave Burland and Bob Pegg) can do with an old song.
Tony Rose "The Guardian"
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"Sounds"
MARK T AND THE BRICKBATS
'Johnny There' (Fellside FE052) ***1/2
I THINK that the word I need is eclectic. But then again, it could be electric. Or even eccentric. Tell you what, perm any two from three and you could fit them comfortably around a description of what is, on the surface, a folk record of lifting beauty but which, once under the skin, scratches spots which you never knew existed. Enthralling; that was it!
Ricky Kildare
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