by Brian D. Holland.

Must Be A Pony, the debut release from singer-songwriter-guitarist Mark Newman, possesses a style and sound that gives the impression it’s performed by a seasoned veteran. Though he's been associated with the likes of Sam Moore (Sam & Dave) and Sam the Sham (Domingo Samudio) over the years, he’s a relative newcomer on the music scene. His songs are as classic and mature as a fine red wine. They’re suggestive of a '70s style, with beautiful melodies driven by sweet guitar tones and stimulating rhythm textures. However, in conjunction with a classic rock ambiance, the songs are fresh, innovative, and exciting.

Though most of the songs are Newman compositions, one cover that easily stands out is his rendition of the Bee Gees’ ‘New York Mining Disaster, 1941’. I love to hear covers of classic material, especially those not done very often. This is an excellent choice; and although it’s done in a Newman acoustic and folk-rock style, it’s just as haunting and melodic as the original.

Both the opener, ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’, and the title song, ‘Must Be A Pony’, have an appealing Joe Walsh and James Gang atmospheric link to the way they sound. As with much of Newman’s material, the melodic structure in the verses, as well as in the bridge and chorus changes, are totally reminiscent of the perfection in arrangement utilized by many classic artists. This becomes blatantly noticeable in songs such as ‘Mean Season (Lucille, Lucille)’ and ‘Love Won’t Ever Pass This Way Again’. Although they’re fresh and new Newman compositions, the melodies sound as if they belong in a classic hit category, especially the latter ballad. ‘God For Sale’ is a rocked up number in which Newman belts out expressive lyrics criticizing the blatant abuses of religion by those cashing in on it.

Mark Newman plays lead, rhythm, and slide guitar, as well as dobro, mandolin, and lap steel. His voice is reminiscent of Paul Rogers, Steve Miller, and Lou Gramm at times, melodic though raw and resonant, a classic quality in itself. The other musicians involved assist in making this a wonderful CD. Anton Fig, Paul Schaffer’s drummer on NBC’s Letterman show, does his stuff on a few of the songs. He rocks it up on ‘Mean Season’.

I can’t use the word ‘melodic’ enough in describing Must Be A Pony. That classic framework is prevalent throughout, though diverse in its approach throughout as well. The tunes are timeless. This Mark Newman debut is a CD that should be heard by all lovers of classic rock music.

Must Be A Pony Track Listing

1. Dead Man’s Shoes

2. What She Does To Me

3. Must Be A Pony

4. Hard In The Rain

5. Mean Season (Lucille, Lucille)

6. God For Sale

7. Mambo Dancing

8. Little One

9. So, So Cynical

10. New York Mining Disaster, 1941

11. A Love In Vain

12. Wanda

13. Love Won’t Ever Pass This Way Again

14. Going Underground

2006 Danal Music

Links
Brian D. Holland interviews Mark Newman
Mark Newman
Must Be A Pony on Amazon