Country Music People

Craig Baguley

Number 8 in the continuing series of songwriter showcases offered another fascinating insight into the varied talents, some known, some not at all, of hopefuls trying to get a break in the country music business.

The evening promised well and, buoyed by some particularly flavoursome tapis served up by the venue, this writer felt in charitable mood - should the need for charity arrive (which it did at one particular point, but by that time the food was long gone and yours truly was back to his acerbic self).

Actually, the standard of writing and presentation was generally of a high level, and no more so than with the first brave soul on stage, Cambridge-based Mark Evans, a soft-spoken, often smiling, and seemingly mite nervous chap who offered the simple combination of one man, his guitar and a few songs.

And what songs! We've heard some excellent material pitched to us during the two-year run of Country In The City, and Evans' three minute vignettes were up there with the best of them - and then some.

I knew we were in for some sharp writing with his opening gambit, a brilliantly humorous ditty, See What You Been Missing, with witty lines about a guy telling his long gone lady what a changed man he is. Sample: "You oughta see my body, baby, It ain't the one you left I I've been pumping iron, To get you off my chest."

This promised much, and that promise was fulfilled by the very next number, How Low Do / Have To Go. Again, this song, about a man thinking of all the scurrilous things he can get up to in an attempt to get over his woman, displayed a perception in lyric writing that would yield applause for a 16th Avenue stalwart, let alone a virtual unknown from the Home Counties. Another sample: "I filled myself with whisky, chemicals and wine I Found the cheapest hooker I could find I Paid twenty dollars to
call her by your name How low do I have to go to get me over you."

In contrast, Mark's final offering, If Only I Knew Where To Start, was an example of fine heartbreak ballad writing, with a simple, uncluttered (and that's how it should be) lyric allied to a fine melody.
"One of the things that attracted me to country music was its total misery," said Mark as introduction to the song. Well, one of the
things that attracted this writer to country music was the lyric writing, and Mark's talent in that area should not go ignored. Pitch to upcoming bands like Cheap Seats or stagers like Daniel O'Donnell, Mark, or try to gamer interest from a UK publishing house that can open doors for you in Nashville ... then go there and stay there.

The next showcase is in
October, and London-based country fans should make the short journey to Taylor's in Soho Street where, even if !hey don't know any of the showcase acts, they can be assured of a highly entertaining evening that can throw up real surprises. Like Mark Evans.