George Marinelli – Except Always – Double CD
This double CD includes a generous portion of music produced by Grammy-winning guitarist/ singer-songwriter George Marinelli. The set starts wisely with 9 new songs & a 17-song studio-recorded retrospective on Except Always – (Drops May 17/Loud Folk Records).
Who’s George? He was the Staten Island, NY-born founding member of Bruce Hornsby & the Range, Bonnie Raitt’s incredible lead guitarist & performed on sessions for James Taylor, Shawn Colvin, Garth Brooks & dozens more. Impressive resume.
During that time, he made 6 solo LPs but great musicianship & accolades don’t always translate into an acknowledged mainstream performer. That’s a more difficult egg to crack. It takes more than stellar talent, opportunity & ability to create an image.
With these, George impressively plays all the instruments. I mentioned in an earlier review that the problem with competence is that it doesn’t always come with originality or creativity. But George has that in his repertoire, although the marquee is elusive. As it is for many.
Not everyone is Elvis, The Beatles, Prince, Alice Cooper, Elton John, Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, or Janis Joplin. This issue has kept stellar guitarists like the late Roy Buchanan from entering a larger spotlight. So, this is an effort to bring George some much-deserved recognition in a solo capacity. He isn’t, to my knowledge, going to wear spandex, wrap a snake around his neck & employ 75 near-naked dancers with smoke machines & laser beams behind him.
On CD 1 it’s fairly standard fare. The earthy vocals aren’t as distinctive as John Hiatt, John Prine, or Bruce Hornsby. Marinelli does have personality in his tone, (an excellent “Same Old Wrong”) is quite good. He fires off a consistent pristine guitar & it floats in a dark strong coffee blend. None of these has milk. The songs offered have maneuverability. A subtle Tim Hardin with a touch of Steve Earle. Let’s be optimistic.
The title track “Except Always,” could benefit from a stronger vocal with more range but here it’s still a well-crafted driving number with momentum. The vocals take a backseat to the excellent guitar playing. Listeners know what to expect from John Prine, Randy Newman & Leonard Cohen but George doesn’t have that type of distinguished fabric. He hasn’t locked into a signature topic field. You think Tom Waits or Shane McGowan (The Pogues) & you know what you’re getting.
Here the tunes are more commercially tailored & more pleasing than evocative. The precision’s always evident but it’s delivered with delicacy. “Only a Fool” is interesting. The pot’s boiling.
CD 2 conjures more riveting material that’s well-produced. “Believe” sparkles with soulful backup vocals & bristling lead guitar. “Border Town,” is more spirited with a nice Bon Jovi-Tom Petty-Tommy James rock aesthetic. Good stuff.
This musical bravado continues with “Living Like Kings,” which begins a signature vocal that George should develop. It falls between Springsteen & Petty but works well. CD 2 is a stronger effort already — I find each tune a surprising delight.
“Tokens of a Broken Heart,” is beautiful while “Burn It All Down” is a good rocker. George certainly asserted himself on these. He shapes a thick mix of distinctive melodies in these pieces with a superior vocal. “Heatwave In December,” has lots of humidity in its notes – a blues ballad that pulsates.
Superb guitar dominates “Oh No, Not Love Again,” & though this is a basic commercial endeavor the playing sparkles. The songs consistently feature well-articulated singing, prodigious guitar work & exquisite riffs (“King of Your Despair”).
George deserves his marquee & spotlight.
Highlights – CD 1: “Except Always,” “Nuthin’ But a Heartache,” “Only a Fool” & “Same Old Wrong.”
CD 2: “Believe,” “Border Town,” “Living Like Kings,” “Tokens of a Broken Heart,” “Burn It All Down,” “Heatwave In December,” “Oh No, Not Love Again,” “King of Your Despair”& “Love Can Be Like That.”
Color image courtesy of Bonnie Raitt’s website. CD @ Barnes & Noble & Apple + https://georgemarinelli.bandcamp.com/