Rating: NNN
If the Brill Building were a local bar where songwriters cranked out country gems over beer, Jack Marks would be a regular. The hardworking Toronto troubadour is enviably prolific, following up his 2009 release, Two Of Everything, with the 14-track Lost Wages.
People will surely pick up on what musicians have been whispering among themselves: Marks has an uncanny ability to pen clever, timeless story songs, and his band – producer/guitarist David Baxter, drummer Sean Dignan and pianist Frank Nevada – puts on a tight, inspired live show.
Although Lost Wages’ souped-up sound is tasteful, it underscores a similarity between Marks’s gritty voice and Bob Dylan’s. And songs like Sweet Patricia lack the energy they exude live. Nothing is as flooring as Two Of Everything’s Dress Song, but tender Michigan Love recalls John Prine, and horn-infused New Girl Now is a lot of fun.
Top track: Michigan Love
Jack Marks plays tonight (Thursday, January 20) at the Dakota Tavern and Saturday (January 22) at the Great Hall.
