Mark “Nessie” Nesmith – A Sinner’s Prayer
Mark “Nessie” Nesmith has a new blues album A Sinner’s Prayer, an intermixture of Delta, Chicago, and Texas blues styles that Nesmith blends into an emotionally charged 12 original songs that journey through personal struggle, movin’ on, mortality, and above all, resilience. All of this happens over skilled acoustic and electric guitar playing, an ace full band sound, and with a touch of wry commentary amidst the pain. Rainy Kimbrough (Junior’s daughter) sings backup on this as well.
The title track opens the album with a gripping Delta blues rhythm and a crystal clear production style in a song that’ll instantly get your inner groove started with swoops of slide, deep handclaps, and low kicks, as Nessie prays for a little help to make it through: “it’s been a long time since I spoke to you / I need some way to break free.”
“Death Row” picks up the electric groove and the commentary on life here as a mere mortal: “we’re all just doing out time, no chance of parole, no way to get out alive / you can’t bribe the judge, there ain’t no lawyers making a deal.”
“Stone On My Soul” is one of Nessie’s Texas blues numbers, with a permeable soul-searching: “I’ve got a stone, a stone on my soul / the weight that I bear is taking its toll / After all these years I feel so very old / There’s nothing to do, nothing I can do / I’m gonna leave it all up to you.” It’s sauntering and smoldering and aims just to get us all by.
“It’s Not Your Fault” is about how you have to part ways sometimes in life: “I never meant you no harm / I swear my intentions were true / got a one-way ticket now, my bag’s already packed” and it sets embellished descending chromatics that just sound so good.
The rest of the album is just as appetizing. This is strong blues songwriting with universal messaging in easily digestible bites. For those who didn’t know, Nessie plays with full band Melon Jelly as well, which you can check out to see his range. Find more information here on his website: https://marknesmithmusic.com/
Musicians on A Sinner’s Prayer are Mark “Nessie” Nesmith on vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, electric and upright bass, drums, percussion, and harmonica; with additional vocals by Rainy Kimbrough.
A Sinner’s Prayer was recorded at Eat My Beats Studio onTuscaloosa, Alabama. The album was engineered and mixed by Benton Nesmith with assistant engineering by Grant Hughes. It was produced by Mark “Nessie” Nesmith and co-produced by Benton Nesmith. All music and lyrics were written by Mark Nesmith.