1)
Dueling Banjos
2)
Annie's Song
3)
La Bamba
4)
Dixie
5)
In My Life
6)
Tears In Heaven
7)
Some Days Are
Diamonds
8)
Early Morning Rain
9)
With or Without You
10)
Blackbird
11)
Dear Prudence
12)
Here
Comes The Sun
13)
Back Home
Again 14) Ruby 15) Time For Us Tonight
16)
Lift You If You Fall
Listen to
"Best of Mark Easley" online
Mark singin' on the back porch.
The doggy fan club, Rui and Ruby.
Mark and the cowboy guitar.
Back porch pickin'.
This CD features 16 classic tunes and original songs
arranged and performed by Mark Easley. These songs were
selected as the most popular by over 85,000 fans who listened
online.
Mark Easley - Best Of (USA) GoldHat music (2004) 16
tracks / 52:22
"Mark Easley's website includes a broad collection of downloadable cover
versions of favorite pop songs. This compilation of him includes the
biggest hits as voted by the fans at his website in 2003, plus a parody
of Ruby (Don't Take Your Love to the Pound) about his two dogs and two
new original songs, dedicated to his wife and son. The voted tracks
include compositions by Enc Clapton, U2, Gordon Lightfoot, three John
Denver-related songs, and four Beatles tunes: In My Life, Blackbird,
Dear Prudence and Here Comes The Sun. He performs the songs in the same
way as the originals and plays a pretty well acoustic guitar on all the
tracks, with some added (rhythm) instruments here and there. In most of
the songs his country-flavored voice moves from the middle regions to
the higher notes (at the end of In My Life) and gives a psychedelic
touch to Dear Prudence. But his way of singing seems to fit the Denver
songs the best - his Annie's Song version is very sound-alike. Three
more Beatles cover versions can be found on his website, ready for
download."
Mark sings "Annie's Song"
Introduction by Mark Easley:
"Back in the late '60s and '70s I
taught myself to play
the guitar and sing along with my favorites including The Beatles, Simon &
Garfunkel, John Denver, James Taylor, Crosby Stills & Nash, Neil Young,
Gordon Lightfoot, and others. It is a wonderful way to express
yourself. Now I am
writing my own songs as well, I love creating music, and teaching it to
others. Thanks for listening and learning it with me."
Production Credits:
Vocals and Guitars by Mark Easley. Produced and Engineered by Rufus Dickerson and Mark Easley. Recorded 2000-2003 at GoldHat Music, Morrisville, NC USA. Sequenced and Recorded on Sonar. Licensing through Harry Fox Agency. Distributed by GoldHat Music USA
Guitars: Guild D-25, Martin 000-16, Sigma AE, Dean Exotica RSE, Fender
Strat, Dean Backwoods 6-string banjo, Ibanez classical, Ovation Celebrity,
Fender 12 string, Yamaha bass.
Listener Comments:
"I am here in Hong Kong and working on my computer
listening to your MP3 songs. I just wanted to tell you that I am
thoroughly enjoying listening to your music. A true gift and heart felt
activity by you that comes thru." Mike H., San Jose
"I enjoy music where you can tell the artist has a
passion for what they are doing. One of my all time favorite songs is
"With or Without You"...and I must say you have one of the best versions I
have ever heard. I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of your songs. As
an artist, I always like to give credit where credit is due. Keep the good
music coming!" Kenny C., New York
"I LOVED your CD, especially your versions of
"Blackbird", "Dear Prudence" and "With or Without You". The music kept me
going all the way from Atlanta to Roanoke, Alabama!" Michael S., Phoenix
"I hear your heart and soul in the
tunes. How nice that you not only can play, but you also record so
nicely. The recording is very professional." Patrice F., Harpers Ferry
"I wanted you to know that I listened to your CD and
enjoyed your arrangements of the covers. The original songs were my
favorite though so keep writing! You have a voice that I would pay a lot
to have for my own." Frank D., Roanoke
"I enjoyed "In My Life", one of my favorite Beatle
songs. I also make music here at my home in Blain, Pa. and the Beatles are
always playing here. It was nice to listen to you, thank you much. I
will gladly pass you on to my friends." A.M., Blain Pa.
"I
really enjoyed the CD. It took me a little while to figure out what was
doggin’ Ruby; clever parody!" Paul M., Raleigh
"Hey Mark....just wanted to let you know how much I've
enjoyed your CD. This is one I can sing along with..unlike the stuff my
kids listen to!" Jeryl S., Indianapolis
"I just found your mp3 site. I really admire your
talent... and especially your sound. May I ask how you get your acoustic
to sound that great on your recordings?" Roy R., Texas
"I really enjoyed your music, a refreshing twist to some
great songs." Ricky W., Miami
"My name is Nik A. and I am a 2nd year animation student
in the uk. I would like to ask permission to use your music in an upcoming
animation piece that I am doing as I feel that it fits perfectly." Nik A., United Kingdom
"My name is Shon , I am a technical director at WB22
WLFL television in Raleigh, NC. I am currently editing a piece on the
North Carolina South Carolina rivalry. I saw the music on your
website and would like your permission to use excerpts of the version of
Dueling Banjos by Mark Easley, to liven up the piece. Thank you. " Shon L., Senior Technical Director, WLFL-TV
Mark sings "Dear Prudence"
Song Notes:
Dueling Banjos 1972 from the movie Deliverance. Let’s go down south and do a "Top Ten Songs Every Acoustic Guitar
Player Has to Know" song, that great theme from Deliverance called Dueling
Banjos. It was actually performed by Eric Weissberg and friends, but has
been made famous all these years by that haunting scene in the movie. It
wins the all time "Best Use of Guitar and Banjo for Dramatic Effect"
award. In addition, the song has provided countless hours of entertainment
to every banjo and guitar player who ever ran into each other and knew
immediately, without saying a word, what to play.
Annie’s Song
1974 John Denver. I first saw John Denver in a concert at Purdue in 1973,
and I was immediately hooked. He played beautiful guitar and great songs,
and I wanted to learn them all. I spent many hours with my guitar and
John’s music and he was one of my biggest influences, particularly his
singing. I went to his concerts as often as possible over the years,
including several times at Harrahs in Lake Tahoe where he would play and
ski every winter in the ‘80s. He was the only musician that I have
actually dreamed I was sitting around with playing guitars. I’m sorry I
never got the chance to really do it. I was shocked and saddened when John
Denver died not far from my home in California in 1998, but his music
lives on.
La Bamba
Traditional Spanish Folk Song. This traditional song was made famous as a rock and roll
number by Richie Valens back in the 50's. It is still a great song.
Dixie
Traditional American Folk Song. This instrumental version is from the Civil War series by
Ken Burns and was arranged for the guitar by Bobby Horton. It is the slow
version that Burns used to back up the sad parts.
In My Life
1965 Lennon/McCartney. One of John Lennon's most beautiful Beatles tunes. It's
amazing that he could write music and lyrics like this at such a young
age.
Tears In Heaven
1996 Eric Clapton. Just about the saddest song ever written.
Some Days Are Diamonds
1976 Dick Feller. This beautiful song was made famous by John Denver. It
expresses some of the feelings that come from growing older. It is
dedicated to my mom in Indiana, Alice Easley.
Early Morning Rain
1973 Gordon Lightfoot. This is one of my favorite tunes to sing.
With or Without You
1982 U2. One of the few songs I know from the 80's. The wailing at
the end really says it all.
Blackbird 1968 Paul McCartney. The Beatles influenced and overshadowed everything and
everyone musical in the ‘60s and ever since. Here is a good example of
why. The song Blackbird is another "Top Ten" acoustic guitar song. Paul
McCartney sat in the studio with a guitar, a metronome, and George Martin
to record it. Paul repeated playing the song until he had done 26 takes,
at which point he said it was finished. He had created one of the great
guitar classics of all time.
Dear Prudence
1968 Lennon/McCartney. When John Lennon went to India, he sat down with Donovan
to learn to finger pick his guitar. This beautiful song was the first one
he wrote using the technique.
Here
Comes the Sun 1969 George Harrison. George Harrison created a song on everybody’s all time
"Top Ten Songs Every Acoustic Guitar Player Has to Know" list for the
Beatles album, Abbey Road. This is a fantastic song, and many people feel
it is one of the Beatles finest. If I was stuck on a desert island and I
would only be allowed to play one song for the duration, this would be the
one. Nice job George.
Back Home
Again 1974 John Denver. Back Home Again was always one of my favorite John Denver
songs, and I used to like to sing it when I was out traveling around the
world to remind me of home. When my father passed away in 2000, I chose
this song to sing at his funeral. My whole family joined in and sang it
with me. I have been lucky to be able to feel all my life that my mother
and father’s home is also one of my homes, because they are that kind of
people. This one’s for Jack.
