Engineered and Mixed by W. JAMES BIENEMANN The Birdfeeder · Baltimore MD

Includes: Real Special Feelin', You Sure Got a Way, I've Always Been A Sucker For Your Smile (Miss Rebecca), I Woke Up In Time, When the Moon Was In The Sky, If Your Thoughts Are Ever Mine, Aggie (alternate take),Dear Jesse, So Lonely Without You, Kentucky Blue, Pretty Things, Now's the Time I Need You Most, You're My Songs, Always You

In 1992, a year when singer/songwriter Mark Brine received two preliminary Grammy nominations (Best Country Male Vocalist and Best Country Song), Billboard referred to him as the "Wild Blue Yodeler." Since that time, he has lived up to the description, skillfully yodeling his way in and through the wild blue yonder, while also combining a mixture of traditional sounds, from straight-out folk to a more alternative style country, in his singing.

On his second independently released album, Real Special Feelin', Brine keeps his own tradition alive by recreating a vocal style some have rightfully compared to folk singer Arlo Guthrie. Having grown up around the 60's folk scene, the Cambridge, Massachusetts native comes by the sound naturally and remains true to his roots throughout the CD.

'Real Special Feelin', the title track and opening cut, sets the mood for the album with simple guitar strums and light piano work in the background. From the uptempo praises of 'You Sure Got A Way' to 'I've Always Been A Sucker For Your Smile (Miss Rebecca)', a sweet tale of what a man will do in the name of love, the songs take a stand on their own, without a need for overly done instrumentals or electrical replacements. Brine, who wrote twelve of the fourteen songs included on the Wild Oats Records release, shows here an obvious respect for the music, by allowing it to flow instinctively as it will.

With this trust in the music, knowing that it will lead him to his destined performance, Mark "wakes up in time" on the sad verses of 'I Woke Up In Time', before moving into the past-reflecting tune of 'When The Moon Was In The Sky.' Beyond the mid tempo beat of 'If Your Thoughts Are Ever Mine,' 'Aggie' settles on another gander at past love, while 'Dear Jessie' takes a more tragic look at the inspiration of love.

Although each song on the album proves to have its own story to tell, its own journey to follow, the final three songs have become our favorites of the album. 'Now's The Time I Need You Most,' with its spiritual resemblances, has a gospel flavor as it rocks and sways into the softer shades of the last two ballads. 'You're My Songs' and 'Always You' have similar romantic themes, with an achingly emotional pull coming straight from Mark's heart.

He has been singing for quite a while now, and has maintained the sincerity heard in his voice since the beginning. Combining all of his early influences, from country and the blues to his passion for folk, Brine lives up to the laudable media attentions he's received, and he has truly earned his title of the "Wild Blue Yodeler." With a unique sound, comparable to so few these days, we expect to hear a lot more from this artist.

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