Night-time Radio, the second album by Willow Springs is now on release. It’s 2 years since their first album Urban Ghosts issued and again the Belfast band has recorded it in their home town’s Earthmusic studio and released on their own S’quare Record label.
Night-time Radio continues the band’s americana dream, crossing a range of styles from West Coast folky blues to gospel-tinged bluegrass.
All 13 songs are again written and performed by Mark Crockard and this time featured performers include Richard Nelson on Pedal Steel and Lisa Brady and Jim ‘The King’ Brown guesting on vocals. Jim rose to fame on the back of his album Gravelands and multiple appearances on Chris Evans’ TFI Friday, performing songs by deceased artistes as Elvis Presley might have.
Mark’s influences are clear and unashamed both in his writing and the sound he produces …Orbison, Cooder, Prine, Malo, Isbell, Rich, Earle and Nick Lowe all make their presence felt.
A special thanks goes out to Vanity Fair photographer Holly Andres for kind permission to use her stunning photo ‘The Fallen Fawn’ for the album cover.
Views on ‘Urban Ghosts’….
Urban Ghosts, a 24-carat masterpiece with 12 originals by the hand of singer-songwriter Mark Crockard, songs that can be considered as timeless beauties... All twelve to dream away, where Mark makes a statement on how to write stellar numbers….. A piece of songwriters art … Rootsville
…an Americana record that sounds authentic. Often when Europeans try to mimic the music of those across the pond, it comes out at best, forced, and at worst, total self parody. This is different. Urban Ghosts manages to respect its obvious Country/Americana roots, while building it into something that is its own. Something genuine. ….. Angry Baby
credits
released September 21, 2020
All songs written and arranged by Mark Crockard
with
Lisa Brady – Lead and Backing Vocals 1, 2, 5
Jim ‘The King’ Brown – vocal 4, 8
Rik Gay – Drums and Percussion 1,2,3,4,5,6,8, 10, 11, 12
Keith Ward – Piano and keyboards 1,3,4, 5
Marcus McAuley – Acoustic Guitar 10, 13, Mandolin 7
Richard Nelson – Pedal Steel 1,2, 4
Vic Bronzini-Fulton – Guitar solo 5, 12
John McKinley – Trumpet 12
Mark Crockard – Vocals, Backing vocals, Harmonica, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards, Banjo, Electric and Double Bass
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