Mark Charles is a busy, busy man. On top of his Apparitions and These United States work, he spearheads his own flagship of tuneFULL folk rocking under the name Vandaveer, and is playing this Thursday (today) at Iota (with the very excellent Joan as Police Woman).

And we are here to prepare you for what you are going to hear: released this spring (way before BYT was listenable) on Gypsy Eyes “Grace and Speed” has had the collective press musing about Dylan and Tom Waits and Donovan and all those others that storytelling songwriters get compared to. But don’t get sidelined by this: this is a fresh sound, with a sense of humor and a turn of whimsy to counteract the melancholy of some of his melodies. This is the magical realism music for both the sunny day at the coutryside and the rainy day in the city, and that does not happen often.
After you hear it, you will understand why it is not wonder he has in the past played with everyone from (the great) Vashti Bunyan to the Ditty Bops to Alessandro Escovedo.

So, without further a-do, one of our favorite listening parties ever follows: the notes match the songs to a tee, and keep you wanting for more. In which case, get the record, see the show, and listen on repeat.

However Many Takes It Takes
Let’s see, for this number I suppose I stole some chords, borrowed a mouthful of words, and sprinkled a not entirely unfamiliar melody on top… The song seemed to write itself rather quickly, which can make one suspect; I was falling behind and trying to keep pace, but I knew exactly where we were going—almost like I’d been there before. Living just takes a little perseverance and faith.

Marianne, You’ve Done It Now
I love clarinets. I have a good friend back in Kentucky who plays a mighty clarinet. Well, the clarinet itself isn’t what one might call mighty, but what comes out certainly is. Do you like clarinets? If you do, I think you’ll like “Marianne…” She liked clarinets once, but she doesn’t really have the head for it these days…

Roman Candle
When I initially wrote “Roman Candle” it was supposed to be an open letter to a dear friend fighting through a particularly nasty and debilitating addiction. But it ended up sounding like a space cadet pop tune about just soldiering on in general. Oh, and fireworks too… Perseverance and pyrotechnics…

The Streets Is Full Of Creeps
I have this fantastic painting in my house—a birthday gift from several years ago—of a melancholy ice cream man doing his very best to keep his tasty treats—one in each hand—from spilling over. He’s an awkward little bugger though, with wild staring eyes, a remarkably large and weathered head, and a slight case of clubfoot. I don’t know why, but I call him Harold. Now this Harold wouldn’t make much of a cop, but one thing leads to another and then another when you mix whiskey and song and lo and behold a guy ends up with a pistol and a massacre on his hands.

Out Past The Moat
My late grandmother had firecracker wit and an epic ornery streak running through her rusty old veins… She used to say outrageous things like, “I got my guns, I got ‘em both. Now’s as good a time as any.” Not that offing oneself is funny, but hearing your ailing grandma rally her remaining wits to fire off irreverent jokes to a room full of unsuspecting guests will make you laugh. And cry. This tune’s the oldest track on the record, full of half-truths, full truths and made-up truths too…

Grace & Speed
This was originally going to be the first track on the CD, but it was demoted to the three spot by committee vote. As consolation we offered title track naming rights and all was well again. More spaceships, more perseverance, and a shoebox full of stars… A little ditty about the big picture…

And with that I say, “good day.”

all vandaveer photos used by shervinfoto.com

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