Mark Sanders – Luck of The Draw
Dream Time Records
8 Tracks – 33 minutes
Mark wears all the hats in the production of his album. He wrote all of the songs, and based on the lack of other credits, apparently produced and mixed the album as well as playing the guitar, keyboards, drums and lead vocals on all of the songs. Gus Belanger backs him on bass with Suzanne Weiler adding backing vocals. This is the eighth album Mark has released on Dream Time Records. Other albums can be streamed for free on Mark’s website shown above.
During his early professional career, he played across many genres including folk (The Sunrisers), soul (The 7th Court), and blues (The Shakers) plus many others. His focus now is on the blues and soul.
He announces he is “Calling on the Hot Line” all night long. I’ve got your number so I can’t go wrong”. “Not calling to shoot the breeze…calling to please”, “Calling on the hotline, but can’t get through”. He “Can’t Help Thinking” something is going on. It’s just a feeling but it’s coming on strong. I can’t help but to wonder what’s on your mind. I got a feeling we might be saying goodbye”. “It seems like every day we are just going through the motion’ as he pleads “Don’t Let It Slip Away” and asks “what happened to the dreams we once shared?”
He notes “You are chasing a dream you cannot leave behind. It’s the “Luck of the Draw”, a roll of the dice. You jump right in and never think twice. You know you cannot win if you never play.” “You live your life like a Hollywood scene. Nothing is real when it’s only a dream”. He declares “It’s “Not Too Late” to change your mind.” You and I, we don’t look back. We live every day and that’s a fact.” On “The Truth Comes Out”, he says, ” I used to believe what you told me. The truth comes out sooner or later” Just when you’re thinking you’re fooling somebody, that’s when you found out that somebody knows.”
He tells her, “No one can ever take your place. I hope it works out that I don’t stay up all night “Over You”. “It should be easy to walk away. I wish it were true. Just one thing in my mind, I can’t get over you.” “I Had to Wonder” concludes the album advising “I walk a long road, feeling lost most every day. I had to wonder if I would ever find my way.” “You showed me something that I never knew. Those days are over and they’ve all gone away.”
Mark’s vocals have a smooth easy sound that is soothing, but also perhaps despairing, as the song lyrics lean heavily into a lost love. His guitar work is also pleasant, never flashy. But the drumbeat on every song sounds very repetitious and sometimes distracting. Overall, it is still a nice listen for a quiet background.
