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"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." Dr. Hunter S. Thompson  "It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it." David Stanowski To find older articles; use Search or Site Map |
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Monday 13 June 2005 In The Beginning It will be three years ago, in July, that we first met The Line Up at Joe's Crabshack, on The Seawall! Over time, as they welcomed us into their close-knit "family", we began to really appreciate what the local music community had to offer. After awhile, the idea for GalvestonMusicScene.com began to take form. Since that time, Mark Lee has gone through some major transitions in his life, so eventually, he needed to leave the band. David Oates took over for him, on lead guitar, and then he too moved on, and Jeff Pennington replaced him. After these changes and transitions, Mark was slated to fill in, this weekend, at a "Line Up Reunion". So for three days, we came full circle back to where and how it all began, with Willie, Stacy and Mark as The Line Up, once again! Earlier in the week, the buzz had been about whether the return of Mark Lee was something of Biblical proportions; an omen or portent of things to come; or was he merely a mythical figure. As it turns out, Mark could have done almost anything in this lifetime, and legend has it that, as a young lad, he dreamed of becoming a Beverly Hills gynecologist. Then, one one day, he had a vision where he was told to pick up the guitar, and as they say; the rest is history. One thing is sure; Mark Lee is still a High Priest of The Church of Rock & Roll!!! It was amazing to be there as he Channeled The Power of the Universe through that Fender Stratocaster, once again! It is something most extraordinary to experience! We are very fortunate to have a handful of such High Priests; Shamans of the art of the six-string guitar, in Galveston County! Once a master guitar player reaches this position, it is not appropriate to compare him to the others in the group, in the context of whether or not he is "more or less skilled" than the rest of them. Each of them should be appreciated for his own special qualities. Guitar players could be compared to your favorite foods; you don't plan to limit yourself to just one food; you like all of them, and turn to one or another as your mood and taste directs you. Likewise, all guitar players should be savored for the unique experiences that they share with us! It is very difficult to describe any master guitar player in mere words, and Mark Lee is no exception. His tones seem to be throaty and muscular and penetrating compared to most others; but these are his qualities, not a statement of his relative proficiency. The sounds and tones that Mark calls forth makes me think of an expensive whiskey, aging in fire-charred oak barrels. So one could say that Mark Lee is the Jack Daniels, of the High Priests; the finest Kentucky sipin' Whiskey; a mellow taste with a powerful kick! Other players merely conjure up different sensory experiences. But, in the end, after three performances this weekend; the only word that says it all is; WOW!! And that was said many, many times! Long after the Apocalypse has swallowed up most of the Civilized portions of Galveston Island, those who survive will sit around the campfires on the beach, cooking opposum for dinner, and tell the story of the Shaman with that yellow Strat. They will say that Mark Lee set the bar pretty high; that he left a wake in his path that "rocked all the other boats"; that he had the big mojo! Finally, they will say that he provided spiritual nourishment at a time when we were all on the edge of the Abyss! That they will say all these things and more, means that he must be at least a mythical figure, and maybe more. Only time will tell.  Willie  Stacy  Mark  Don  Mark & David  Mark & Kim |
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