Read our review of ‘Smoke Wine Banter’ by Mark Webb Jr
‘Smoke Wine Banter’ by Mark Webb Jr Out April 26 2019
By Rob Dickens
Smoke Wine Banter is Mark Webb Jr‘s second release from Bristol’s niche label Gold Ship Records.
The album was engineered and produced by Brad Phillips at Studio 101 in Woodruff, South Carolina. Phillips also produced Mark’s debut release, Home in 2016.
The new release is a more assured collection, evincing a tailored, polished country sound – you can hear it in the two opening tracks “Dancer” and “Hangin’ On”. There’s plenty of diversity here though – take the slow honky tonk boogie of “He Ain’t Me” which provides some gifted arrangements including fired-up electric guitar. “Lucy” is a highlight, a crisp country ballad bemoaning one person’s fate, while Webb’s smooth vocals are on display with “Then You Find Love”.
The collection is rounded out by “You To Me” with its catchy chorus and harmonies and the reflective anthem “18 Again”.
Smoke Wine Banter is a classy reminder of the talents of Mark Webb Jr. Highly recommended.
Katlin Owen of the country band, RaeLynn, co-produced, played guitar on, and co-wrote “Hangin’ On.”
Webb has had two notable co-writes since his debut release – with Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional) on their track “Open My Eyes” and the impressive “Heart Under Pressure” which appeared on Ted Russell Kamp‘s excellent album Walkin’ Shoes (one of our Albums Of The Month here at Listening Through The Lens).
Here’s a live version of “Lucy”:
Mark has a busy schedule throughout 2019 with announcements coming soon for a larger late summer and early fall tour.
Pre-orders for the single “The Dancer” and Smoke Wine Banter will be exclusive through iTunes and available on all other platforms on April 26, 2019. With each pre-order you get an instant download of the single “Dancer”.
Read our review of ‘Smoke Wine Banter’ by Mark Webb Jr
