Mark Nomad – A Real Fine Day
Blue Star Records – 2014
Ten Tracks with a total running time of 41:34
On Mark Nomad’s eighth CD, A Real Fine Day, we are taken on a musical journey that will satisfy most electric and acoustic blues lovers’ quest for solid musical ability. Nomad shows us he is a guitar virtuoso going from the rocking slide on the lead track (New Day Dawning) to the mellow delta driven title track, “A Real Fine Day”. Of the ten songs here seven are originals with three covers that Nomad has practically made his own.
Track 2 (Squeeze Me In) is a funky little ditty that is a toe tapper driven by a stellar rhythm section made up of Sturgis Cunningham (accomplished studio and road veteran) on drums and tambourine with John O’Boyle on bass.
The next stop on our journey takes us to the Delta with a stripped down acoustic treat. With inspired lyrics like “Ain’t so much in what you do but the way you do it if your heart is true…” we are given a glimpse into Nomad’s creative catalog.
For fans of Link Wray track 4, “The Friz”, provides clear evidence that Mark Nomad guitar abilities seems to know no bounds. Whammy bars abound on this tune and lovers of “surfer” style guitar should be more than happy with this dive into that genre.
Nomad’s stripped down acoustic cover of Willie Dixon’s, “Mellow Down Easy”, provides further proof that under the direction of an accomplished musician older covers can come alive with a freshness that satisfies. It is always a treat to find a musician that can entertain with just their voice, guitar and harmonica.
What musical trek would be complete without an excursion into Hendrix territory? On track 8, “Sun Worlds, Moon Worlds”, we are taken back to a time when Hendrix ruled (as if he ever stopped) the radio airwaves. This is a great instrumental piece which should be appreciated by any listener whether they are a Hendrix fan or not.
The closer, “A Real Fine Day” once again combines Nomad’s abilities as a guitarist, singer and kick-ass song writer. He somehow manages to make this song sound like it came from the Delta via the Beatles in their sitar influenced tunes with a little harmonica and background vocals thrown in. All in all A Real Fine Day is a real fine recording that would be a welcome addition to most music lovers’ collections.
Musical credits for this fine recording from Mark Nomad include Mark Nomad: vocals, guitars, and harmonica – Sturgis Cunningham: drums and tambourine on tracks 1, 2, 5, & 10 and harmony on track 10 – Peter King: bass on tracks 1,4, 7, &8 – John O’Boyle: bass on tracks 2, 5, & 10 – Dale Monette: drums on tracks 4, 7, & 8. A Real Fine Day was produced, recorded and mixed by Nicky Nice at Mountain Air Recording, Easthampton, MA.
