Marla Mase: Half Life
Marla Mase
Half Life
(True Groove)
Great affected guitar and a forceful straight-ahead beat smack us into the reality that singer/songwriter/performer Marla Mase is on-the-move in the opening track here, āDrown In Blue.” Though I appreciate the Patti Smith homage, I dig the slinky tom beat and Maseās talking vocal on the second tune and title track much better. Mike Faulknerās drums and Mark Henryās sax are also front and center and make the tune.
The band is in true funk mode on āThings That Scare Meā seeing Marla in a good Blondie-like groove with the backing vocals of Heather Powell and Natalie Smith helping her along. āThe Heart Beatā again sees us slowing down with Faulknerās toms, some great Western movie-feeling guitar noodling and Mase doing her talking thang, but things come alive for me truly when the lady channels The Stones on the truly wonderful shunky country rock āGaping Holeā – what a great song!
We get that funked-up wah-wah guitar again, and David Barnesā wailing harmonica on āBitch in Heat,ā a song stronger in its music then lyric. (Charlie Funk’s āhey hey come on girlā are a hoot though!) āHold Fast Your Dreams,ā a soft MOR read, ends the eight songs with Marla at her whispery best, fronting a soft, plinking piano and brush snare drum.
TomĆ”s Doncker and James Dellatacoma really kick the production here into high gear, slightly above Maseās competency. Still,Ā Half Life is a subtle solid listen.
Marla Mase Half Life (True Groove) Great affected guitar and a forceful straight-ahead beat smack us into the… http://t.co/lzPeItDhCA
Marla Mase: Half Life http://t.co/yZRzvHq9Zz