MP3 Mark Tolstrup - Root Magic
American roots blues from solo acoustic to electric band.
14 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Acoustic Blues, BLUES: Delta Style
Details:
Mark Tolstrup''s latest work, "Root Magic" was produced by highly respected veteran musician Tony Markellis. This CD presents American roots blues from solo acoustic to electric band. This collection includes traditional blues played with respect for the past while bringing them froward into the present and original material that is fresh yet still in the tradition. On this CD Mark is supported by outstanding performances by Tony Markellis (who has played with The Trey Anistasio Band, Paul Butterfield, David Bromberg , No Outlet among others) on bass, Dale Haskell (of No Outlet) on Drums and Richard Bell (who has played with many great musicians including Janis Joplin and The Band) on piano.
With a real passion for roots music and especially the blues Tolstrup blends blues and ragtime influences with folk, jazz and rock , sending you on a journey to the back roads of America.. With his rhythmic finger-picking and slide-guitar playing and his soulful, unaffected vocals, Tolstrup attacks every song (traditional as well as originals) with deep feeling and energy. Tolstrup''s heartfelt singing and merciless slide guitar will carry you to the distant sounds of the American roots musical landscape from New Orleans to Tin Pan Alley.
Born in Melrose, Massachusetts in 1957, Mark first got hooked on the blues listening to the classic bluesmen of the 1930''s - Son House, Robert Johnson and Blind Blake as well modern players such as Dave Van Ronk, Rory Block, John Hammond and Ry Cooder.. While many of his peers were listen to the rock and pop music that was derived from the blues. Mark sought out the sources and the roots of the music.
As director and head instructor of the Tai Chi Center (https://www.tradebit.com) in Saratoga Springs, NY, Mark''s teachings in the Chinese internal arts have influenced his life philosophy and his music. His soulful singing and deep-down music demonstrate the same mastery and command of the blues as the teachings of Tai Chi give to the mind, body and spirit. Seemingly in contrast to the meditative nature of Tai Chi, Tolstrup wields the energy of a powerful connection with his music drawn into focus from the discipline and practice of Tai Chi Chaun.