Recorded © BEECHWOOD STUDIOS · Nashville TN

Includes: Up On Elk's Ridge, for Karrie, Baby You Move Me, Once A Soldier (Always A Hero), You Ain’t Feelin’ With A Full Deck, 8th Grade Romance ( … And They Danced), Always Open Arms, Riverboat, Mae West Momma, Stephen, Even Blind Faith Has To See, Blue Roses, Back Roads, Fly Away

Since migrating from Cambridge, Mass to Nashville some three decades ago, Mark Brine has carved out a strong reputation as an uncompromising traditionalist on the country music scene which has made him one of the elder statesmen of Americana. Heavily influenced by the twin pillars of Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers, Brine provides an invaluable link between country music’s past and present, and is busy writing and performing songs that will certainly hold a place in country music’s future.

"for Karrie" offers a baker’s dozen of new songs from Brine along with a timely cover of Eddie Russell’s timeless "Once A Soldier (Always a Hero)." There’s a little heartbreak, a little honky tonk, some terrific stories and a lot of talent served up among the 14 tracks, and if you’ve never had the chance to hear him before, this is an album that’s likely to make you a dedicated fan forever. It’s acoustic country at its very best.

www.cosmik.com

Mark Brine sounds like he's been holed up in some possum holler aging in moonshine for a blue moon or two. His vocals swoop and dip like a bird in the mountains where Americana music grew up and you don't soon forget the experience. He's also got a band of crack musicians perfectly attuned to the sweet eccentricity of his songs. These are stories wrapped in homespun about people and places that don't make the history books or the headlines but are real and true to the small town milieu from whence they come.

Brine's been knocking around the musical world for over three decades having logged time as a would-be Nashville songwriter, part-time touring musician and full-time iconoclast. The band includes David Russell (Box Car Willie) on fiddle plus a group of usual suspects whom Brine plays with on a regular basis. On this, his third self-produced CD, their contributions are notable and never feel wrong-footed or at odds with the material. Brine could easily have been added to the cast of 'Oh Brother, Where Art Thou' without raising an eyebrow. He belongs to that group of artists whose individuality and quirkiness consign them to the periphery of what's commercially viable. But God bless him for not just being another cog in the musical wheel. If you too pine for a simpler world give this recording a listen.

www.flyinshoes.com

I think Mark Brine must be Americana's best kept secret. A singer/songwriter for over thirty years, friend of the late and legendary pioneer fiddlin' Sid Harkreader, Brine writes wonderful story songs about ordinary people and ordinary places. To tell these stories, Mark has a voice that is as comfortable as a favourite coat. I tell you, I am absolutely knocked out by 'for Karrie' and its warm stories and beautiful picking.

Largely acoustic, each of the fourteen tracks has great interplay between guitar and fiddle and the fiddle has a story in itself. Linda Joseph was hired for the sessions but broke her wrist before work began. Brine must have been inspired to bring in Boxcar Willie's fiddler, David Russell as a replacement. (Linda did come back for the last two songs). To the songs, 'for Karrie' is a celebration of love (written for his wife Karen), 'Baby, You Move Me' is a foot-tapper with a Jimmie Rodgers yodel and '8th Grade Romance ( … And They Danced)' is a charming waltz. 'Mae West Momma', featuring Brine's son Keeve on rhythm is a bluesy ode (Keeve plays in a Baltimore-based rock band). 'Stephen' is an extremely tender look at a lasting friendship and 'Blue Roses' is a lovely tale of a love lost but not forgotten. The only song on the album not written by Brine is 'Once A Soldier (Always A Hero)', a tribute to the guys in the Armed Forces, written by Texas DJ Eddie Russell.

www.cmru.co.uk

There’s something reassuring about simple country music. I’m talking the rural stuff, not the hyped-up over-produced glitter that blares out of Nashville. Real Americana music, in the vein of Jimmie Rodgers or Hank Snow. It maintains an effortless simplicity. To some ears, the sound may seem like unrefined hillbilly wailing, but to others with more patience, there is nothing sweeter. And lo and behold, Mark Brine is a purveyor of this style of music (like you couldn’t tell from the buildup). And, thankfully, his latest disc is sitting in my player, with its 14 cuts that reach way back.

Oh sure, there’s a bit of electric guitar here and there, and at times his voice has a lilt similar to Bob Dylan’s, but overall the listener is impacted by the beauty and simplicity of his songs. He threw in a wringer, with the standard blues progression of 'Mae West Momma,' a song that sounds a bit out of place. But for the most part, you’re rewarded with a collection of songs that transports one to a tranquil place.

















www.nyrock.com

Mark Brine may not be a name that many are familiar with but he is a musician and songwriter of experience who has been plying his trade now for many years. Starting in the late 60’s on the New England folk scene, he later moved to Nashville where he became a staff writer for not one but two record labels. However, as with many, Brine became disenchanted with the commercial leanings of the scene there and its demand for formulaic country music. So he moved on down the road apiece and in 1985 he made his solo debut with the acclaimed 'Return to Americana', following on with his 1988 release 'American Pieces.' His career since has pursued the path of a truly independent artist - someone who follows his soul and does things his own way.

His latest release 'for Karrie' takes the form of a musical scrapbook, telling through musical sketches of the " … simple ironies of life." Fourteen songs spanning just under fifty minutes that recall the style of Guy Clarke and that band of Texan storytelling troubadours that have had such a marked impression on country-folk music. The material is all original with one exception 'Once a Soldier (Always A Hero)' which comes from the pen of Texas DJ Eddie Russell and the material is without exception quite, quite exquisite.

'for Karrie' musically follows a branch of country folk that explores bluegrass, blues and pure country avenues. Titles like 'Baby, You Move Me' have the feel of a Jimmie Rodgers original, and many others provide examples of songs the ol’ Hank himself would have been happy with, the vocals drifting into the occasional half yodel, while the wile fiddle player pirouettes around the central melodic theme. '8th Grade Romance ( … And They Danced)' is a diamond tale carried by a subtle switching shuffle/waltz feel, conjuring the image of a young boy facing his first serious crush and the complicated maneuvers that surround that oh so important first dance. 'Always Open Arms' takes on a marked change of tack, a warmer collaboration from the accompanying band of players which helps to develop a languid jazz feel to this love ballad. There are many fine moments to enjoy on this set with the format remaining gentle and charming throughout. For me 'Riverboat' probably does everything to sum up what this set is all about; a song so full of nostalgic imagery that it is hard not to close your eyes and drift into an imaginary world of riverbanks, lazily flowing water and childhood.

The material may be predisposed towards the ballad format, but this is a mood album pure and simple; something you would choose to listen to when time is not a premium and you want to escape to a simpler, better, more honest world. The band performances are presented with shrewd arrangements letting the songs sing for themselves, while material like 'Blue Roses' and the stunning finale 'Fly Away' where Brine takes a more singular approach the presentation is enriched by the delicate simplicity. The vocal style of Brine has enough passion and feel to it to engage you thoroughly in every song and it is impossible to just listen to this album, you really have to put everything aside and throw yourself into the fullness of its graceful ambience. The music of Mark Brine has up until now been somewhat of a well kept secret, but he is an artist who undoubtedly deserves a broader audience. His ability to write and produce this type of material has made his name, in my home at least, synonymous with quality, so on my advice take this opportunity to unlock this treasure trove of wonders … it will warm your heart and soul.

www.altcountrytab.com

A few years ago, I was privileged to interview Cheap Trick's drummer, Bun E. Carlos, about a short list of his favorite songs. Bun E. went on and on in our conversation about how much he loved artists like The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and Wilco, because of their great songwriting, and how he felt the art of the song has become somewhat lost. "When I think about what moves me, I think of those acoustic albums Dylan put out in the '90s, like World Gone Wrong and As Good As I've Been to You," Bun E told me. "They're full of songs that are 70 years old, and they're all great, and real simple. If you listen to a Stones album from the '60s or a Beatles album, the simpler songs with the less topical stuff on them age better, too. A well-written song lasts a long time." I had to pull that quote out because that's how I felt when I listened to Mark Brine's newest CD, 'for Karrie.' On this CD's first few songs at least, Brine sounds more like a young Bob Dylan than Dylan himself. I could totally hear Brine covering "Shelter From the Storm" and no one being able to tell the difference. That's what initially drew me in, because I love old Bob Dylan, but what really got to me was how good Mark's songwriting is.

While I had not heard of Mark Brine before receiving this CD, he has apparently been around for some time; working in the background of the music business in Nashville in the '70s and later breaking from that scene and recording his debut album in 1988. 'for Karrie' covers a broad range of styles so there really is something for every taste: whether you like country, folk, pop or have a fondness for traditional standards. Mark's love songs range from the upbeat, frisky feel of 'Baby, You Move Me' to a more sentimental, traditional song like 'Always Open Arms.' There's also a warm hearted humor to '8th Grade Romance ( … And They Danced)' that reminded me of something my parents might have listened to, although the message is timeless. Mark's compositions also touch the heart deeply with the bittersweet sentimentality of songs like 'Stephen' and 'Blue Roses.' These are just really great songs, and the arrangements and instrumentation are flawless.

I think what makes Mark Brine such a gifted songwriter/storyteller is the fact that he seems to be such an obvious fan of many genres of music. He's someone who is like a sponge when it comes to absorbing and reintegrating influences into his own work. For example, the cadence and lyrical structure of 'Even Blind Faith Has to See' reminded me of Arlo Guthrie's classic 'City of New Orleans' -- a song that was popular when I was a little kid. The funny thing about that song is how the guitar chords also reminded me of a completely different song that was popular around the same time, 'Summer Song' by the Mersey Beat pop duo of Chad & Jeremy. It takes an educated ear to pick out that kind of thing, but it's worth mentioning. 'for Karrie' is an album that any fan of great songs will enjoy. You could even buy it for your parents!

www.ink19.com

Mark Brine was blessed with a name that describes him well. There is something ancient, wide and somewhat salty about his music.

This is a collection of country tunes played and arranged beautifully and sung with a sweetly slightly off center plaintive voice. Sounding like a country standard, 'Up on Elk's Ridge' is one of my favorites, as is the honky tonk sounding 'Baby, You Move Me.' He writes from what is thought of now as the more traditional country school. But he also has his own unique style that stretches towards more contemporary folk music.

His guitar playing is quite fine and the musicians accompanying him are excellent. The choices he made in arrangement really suit the songs, allowing the story of the song to stand out front. The production quality is top-notch.

Fans of the traditional school of country looking for a new voice to discover will be glad they found this CD.

www.musesmuse.com

Mark Brine is a holdover from the 1960s New England folk scene, a guitar-picker still in touch with his folk and country influences. Brine’s the kind of guy who doesn’t just know who Hank Williams is, but could list more than 3 or 4 songs; I guarantee he could tell you about people like Dave Van Ronk.

He’s the kind of guy who should be played on country radio, but if he were suddenly added to some hot new country playlist, would be embarrassed at his company. The man’s done a Jimmie Rodgers tribute record … he deserves better than today’s radio fate.

Even though he’s been Hank Snow’s guest on the Grand Ole Opry stage, however, Mark avoids the country clichés, and is better thought of as Americana, a mixture of influences, authentic yet unique and original. Sure, the guitars and fiddles are unashamed in their flavor, but Brine isn’t a stereotype, inserting meaningful, thoughtful lyrics throughout the record. The album feels good, carefully crafted yet authentic.

www.vagrantcafe.com