MANDOLIN MAN MARVIN ETZIONI IS BACK WITH MARVIN COUNTRY

While listening to both discs of Marvin Country, I get a sense of new discovery with every listen.  This assortment of musical poetry transports me.  Isn’t that what music is supposed to do?  If you don’t know who Marvin Etzioni is, may I suggest you Google him.  For now please allow me to share a few snippets… He is the original bassist/co-founder/songwriter for the pioneering LA roots rock band Lone Justice.  Through the 90’s he kept busy and wore one or more “hats” as producer/performer/songwriter with Toad the Wet Sprocket, Maria McKee, Peter Case, Sam Phillips, Counting Crows and The Williams Brothers.  In 2006, he performed on the much-talked about Dixie Chicks release, Taking the Long Way.

On Marvin Country, some of his Lone Justice mates join him: Maria McKee (You Possess Me), Don Heffington (various) and Lone Justice 2.0 Shane Fontayne (Where’s Your Analog Spirit?).  Other guests include John Doe (The Grapes of Wrath), Richard Thompson (It Don’t Cost Much), Steve Earle (Ain’t No Work in Mississippi), Lucinda Williams (Lay It on the Table), and this AMAZING 27-year-old blues guitar whiz Trevor Menear (Trouble Holding Back).  The first time I heard the song, I had to pick my jaw up off the ground!

Two songs (You Are the Light and Miss This World) were previously recorded by other artists but get a fresh reboot here.  One was previously a demo (You Possess Me) by Marvin and other artists but gets a new recording here.  Also, one was a key song in early live Lone Justice shows (The Grapes of Wrath).  Marvin is a true troubadour that seems from another time.  He has the lyric poetry and depth of legends Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen but with a voice somewhat reminiscent of Tom Waits.  The pedal steel guitar riffs by Greg Liesz fit masterfully with Marvin’s vocals and lyrics.  The squeezebox and accordions are courtesy of session musician/songwriter Phil Parlapiano.  There’s a sample of Gram Parsons in the song Gram Revisited.  Hey if Snoop Dogg can project an image of Tupac Shakur at Coachella, then Marvin Etzioni can sample Gram talking at the legendary Palamino in 1972! 

Do yourself a favor and listen to Marvin Country, then see Marvin perform at the Grand Old Echo LA, CA Sunday April 29, 2012 or City Winery NY, NY June 24, 2012 (with Martha Wainwright).  Limited copies of CDs and vinyl will be available at the shows.  That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

Nine Mile Records is presenting a special Grand Ole Echo deal! Order Marvin Etzioni's new 2 CD Set, Marvin Country! at a discount and pick it up at his show at The Grand Ole Echo on April 29!

http://ninemilerecords.mybisi.com/product/marvin-country-cd-grand-ole-echo-special

For more information, please visit http://www.marvincountry.com/