Search - Mark Weigle :: Mark Weigle

Like a fine Bourbon

Tim Brough | Springfield, PA United States | 10/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This guy is my musical hero. I first encountered -- and fell in love with -- Mark Weigle's music three years ago. It strikes me as criminal that he is not better known and recognized for the brilliant and beautiful music he has made since "The Truth Is. I also should add that we have since become friends. So while it behooves me to add that disclaimer, it also causes me to beg of you not to pass by on Mark's sixth album just because of my nepotism. Like a good Bourbon or finely hewn piece of woodcraft, maturity is adding finesse and luster to the gay country/folk music of Mark Weigle.



Mark is unafraid of calling things as he sees then. There are songs that take pokes at our own stereotyping, as when he sings "you gay your way and I'll go mine" on "Rainbow Ride." Pointing out that not every gay male has a gym-membership or shops at A&F, Mark makes songs that a large portion of the community can relate to. It makes the UB40 reggae lead off track, "White Boy," an all the more humorous take on het-guy paranoias.



"Women want to cut off your balls.

Us gay guys want to do you,

oh, and you might like it, too."



Having a future family member make the remark (when he found out there was one of US in the family) "if he makes a pass at me, I'll punch him in the face," I can relate to this strain of silly stupidity. That Mark can take the wind from those sails so effortlessly makes the chuckles come easier. As our own as relationships flourish, Mark's songs of love ("Plenty" and "The One" here) are nakedly emotional. Trying to discover what brings love to you, as Mark probes in "To Know" and "All Kinds of Love" are also right on target. So is "The Harry Hay Song," a tribute to a gay icon and hero that needs to be heard. We so often allow our history to evaporate without chronicling it, which is why this song (and "Tires and Gasoline" from Soul Sex: Wrestling the Angel/Versatile) are so important.



Nostalgia plays an important role on this CD. "Sweet Real" and "Used To Be" look back without being cloying or saccharine, no easy task. There is so much to relate to on "Mark Weigle," that calling it a step back from "Soul Sex" is difficult. On that 2005 album, the "Versatile" half was graphic and grungy, right down to a Judas Priest cover. This CD harkens back to the introspective thoughtfulness of All That Matters or Out of the Loop, all worth owning. But hands down, I am proud to have this CD in my library.



PS: There are two re-recorded songs on "Mark Weigle." "Your Laptop Screen" was a song I overlooked among the raunchier material of "Versatile," and Mark's tale of seeing the object of his affections disappear behind "the daily fresh meat" of the Internet is worth a second hearing. While not as racy as the bulk of "Versatile," the new version of "In The Last Five Minutes" is just as jaw-dropping. In one simple twist, Mark makes the original m4m lyric into one about a married male and female. While it might alienate some of his long-standing fans, to me it underscores the universal appeal of Mark's song writing skills. It may even be the ballsiest move on the album. No doubt in my mind: The CD is one of 2007's best."