Victoria songwriter Carolyn Mark kept her “new best friends” on their toes, July 8 at the Slice. As always, she has an open, welcoming personality, bringing the dozen or so fans into the fold with open arms.
She sang her quirky brand of roots and country music backed by new best friends, guitarist Joel Fernandes, Sloan keyboardist Greg MacDonald on drums with her and upright bassist Terri Upton.
As always Mark was was inimitably addictive playing her own mixture of quirky folk music, some sultry jazz with a touch of blues. She had a dozen or so people captivated and all of stayed until the end of the show past 1 a.m.
And there was just a touch of French cabaret music. She has interesting lyrics. She ended her first set with a request for “Business End,” shouted out by an audience member.
She noted “I think I forgot a chord,” but her new best friends adapted well the the surprise. She ended the set by giving a big hug to each of her bandmates.
I arrived back midway through their second set in the middle of a beautiful bluesy solo form Fernandes, who played tasteful country and rockabilly influenced guitar licks throughout the set. And even better, caught a cool version of the theme from the Littlest Hobo “ Maybe Tomorrow.”
—By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
