Original composition written by Mark Farmer from the album Left Side of the Stage

Not the Same

Left Side of the Stage

Last Dance

Apathy

Cabin in the Woods

20 Years (Longer Than You Had)

I Digress

Almost There

And You Never Even...

Intro:

Verse 1:
We gonna load up. All the boys are going downtown.
Down to the ruins. Gotta draw myself a Bath now.
We gonna sip back Jack on the avenue,
Hey Drop Goal Shanker we been looking for you up by the
Big Rocks. Yeah baby by the Big Rocks.

Verse 2:
And now it's roll call
I hear that Omar brought a chainsaw
we brought beans and jeans to a barbeque,
we got big ol' Boomer come a talkin' to you
about the coach and how he’s sleepin’ on the billiard cue
while never quite certain who's a peein' on you
Big Rocks. Yeah baby by the Big Rocks.

Solo (organ):

Solo (harmonica):

Bridge:
Found a brand new song "Aberystwyth & You"
on a dirty ol’ piano after dippin' in the stew
Broke a table gettin’ rowdy with East London krewe singin’
[seven nation army]
[seven nation army]
Got the birds of the sea a grubbin' up on Matty's feet
While the labyrinth has faded away
Up at the Big Rocks. The Big Rocks
The Big Rocks. The Big Rocks.
The Big Rocks - Big Rocks - Big Rocks - Big Rocks
Big Rocks - Big Rocks - woah we goin’ to the

Chorus:
Big Rocks
We goin’ to the Big Rocks
Pat down token, don't be late
everyone loves that DIVVER WAS GREAT
when all is said and done
well the world's been warned that we came to have some fun
‘Cause we’re the red, white, and blue
And oh the funny things we do
America! America!
This is you!

Big Rocks

BetterThanButters Treetops FinalMaster Bounce41 Trimmed 20231108

Make a Scene

GLitCH remixed and added some amazing rap dialog to Almost There.  When I wrote this song, it was something that I always heard in my head to be part of it.  I'm very grateful that GLitCH was down for this.  I'm without words at how great it came out.

Artwork TBD

Almost There (featuring GLitCH The Alter Ego)

The approach on this album was to feature the piano and the vocals with not much more collaboration. A bit of a departure from Mark's previous album "Left Side of the Stage" which featured a large virtual ensemble. Percussion and pads were added to lift the songs up a tad and the polished product is a masterpiece of 4 beautiful stories written and told by Mark.
When Mark and his newlywed wife, Murelle, had settled back in from their move from the Big Apple to the Big Easy, he knew that a new album was coming soon. We hooked up with Music Shed Studios in New Orleans where Mark recorded the piano and vocals with Audio Engineer Ben Lorio.
Originally this was to be a full-length 10+ song album, however, paths change. Mark and his wife built their own recording studio Farmer's Jam Studios. After the first 4 songs that were recorded at Music Shed were shelved for almost a year, they were polished off and decided to release them on this EP by themselves.
The talented percussionist Garland Hoover provided the demo (and some final) percussion tracking for the songs by nailing all four songs from concept to final take - all in just one session.
Mark hooked up again with long time friend, collaborator, and mentor, Justin Tracy of New York to drive the mixing duties and final percussion tracking.

Home

My Wall

So Long

3 Dozen Years

"Festival" was written at his piano at his home in New Orleans in mostly one sitting.  It all poured out once the groove was found.  It paints the picture and you can almost see, hear, and even smell the colors on the canvas - with his wife, Murelle, providing some ideas as well ("...hula-hooping with her patchwork pants, and the happy naked feet doing the muddy dance...").

Recording was done in the studio he and his wife built, Farmer's Jam Studios, in New Orleans, LA in 2017.  He is blessed with many talented friends and family members to contribute as players and singers on these songs.  His longtime friend and collaborator, Justin Tracy, traveled to New Orleans to assist with the production and tracking.  Final mixing and mastering was completed by Ben Lorio of New Orleans, LA.

"Festival" Players:
Mark Farmer (tracking, mixing, lead vocals, piano, organs, guitars, synthesizers)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing, bass, drums)
Ben Lorio (final mixing, mastering)
Adam Lessnau (trombone)
Jimmy Williams (sousaphone)
Matt Thomas (saxophone)
Kacey Ball (trumpet)
Lauren Sturm (background vocals)
Garland Hoover (background vocals)
Rory Sullivan (background vocals)
Mikayla Braun (background vocals)
Deborah Ariano (background vocals)
Victoria Walters (background vocals)
Emma Walters (background vocals)

Festival

"Blessed Day" was written in secrecy as a wedding gift to his biggest fan and greatest inspiration: his wife, Murelle.  The very talented Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter Levi Kreis assisted Mark with the final arrangement.  Collaborating with Levi was one of Mark's greatest prides and achievements in music.  Mark performed this song for the first time for his newly-proclaimed wife at their wedding reception at Audoubon Park in New Orleans.  At the end of "Blessed Day", you can find a snippet from their actual wedding second-line of Kinfolk Brass Band | The Hardest Working Brass Band in New Orleans!

Recording was done in the studio he and his wife built, Farmer's Jam Studios, in New Orleans, LA in 2017.  He is blessed with many talented friends and family members to contribute as players and singers on these songs.  His longtime friend and collaborator, Justin Tracy, traveled to New Orleans to assist with the production and tracking.  Final mixing and mastering was completed by Ben Lorio of New Orleans, LA.

"Blessed Day" players:
Mark Farmer (tracking, mixing, lead vocals, piano)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing, drums)
Ben Lorio (final mixing / mastering)
Adam Lessnau (trombone)
Jimmy Williams (sousaphone)
Matt Thomas (saxophone)
Kacey Ball (trumpet)
Murelle Farmer (background vocals)

Blessed Day

"I've Got This Feeling"
True blues.  We've all been there.  Things didn't go perfectly, and it's time to make it right.

Recording was done in the studio he and his wife built, Farmer's Jam Studios, in New Orleans, LA in 2017.  He is blessed with many talented friends and family members to contribute as players and singers on these songs.  His long-time friend and collaborator, Justin Tracy, travelled to New Orleans to assist with the initial production and tracking.  Final mixing and mastering was completed by Ben Lorio of Below Studios in New Orleans, LA.

"I've Got This Feeling" players:
Mark Farmer (tracking, mixing, lead vocals, piano, bass, organs)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing, drums)
Ben Lorio (final mixing, mastering)
Mark Appleford (harmonica)
Nick Miller (guitar)

Mark's Bio:
Mark Farmer is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Mississippi and New Orleans.  Over time, he has honed in on his folk-rock and blues sound with his piano-heavy gospel roots. Songwriting at a very young age, Mark has created several catchy numbers with messages that most anyone can empathize with. Mark specializes in piano rock and acoustic rock influenced by modern groups like The Gabe Dixon Band, Ian Moore, A.J. Croce, Ben Fold Five and every now and again sneaking in his southern gospel blues roots.

Mark currently splits his time between New Orleans and New York City and is finalizing his next full-length album expected to be released end of 2017 that was recording in the recording studio he and his wife built, Farmer's Jam Studios.

I've Got This Feeling

River Barrel Blues is a blues-rock power trio telling stories of life along the mighty Mississippi River....the "old man".

Recording was done in the studio he and his wife built, Farmer's Jam Studios, in New Orleans, LA in 2017.  He is blessed with many talented friends and family members to contribute as players and singers on these songs.  His longtime friend and collaborator, Justin Tracy, traveled to New Orleans to assist with the initial production and tracking.  Final mixing and mastering was completed by Ben Lorio of Below Studios in New Orleans, LA.

"River Barrel Blues" players:
Mark Farmer (tracking, mixing, lead vocals, piano, bass, organs)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing, drums)
Ben Lorio (final mixing, mastering)
Joshua Paul (lead vocals, guitar)
Kiley Hyman (vocals)
Mark Appleford (harmonica)

Mark's Bio:
Mark Farmer is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Mississippi and New Orleans.  Over time, he has honed in on his folk-rock and blues sound with his piano-heavy gospel roots. Songwriting at a very young age, Mark has created several catchy numbers with messages that most anyone can empathize with. Mark specializes in piano rock and acoustic rock influenced by modern groups like The Gabe Dixon Band, Ian Moore, A.J. Croce, Ben Fold Five and every now and again sneaking in his southern gospel blues roots.

Mark currently splits his time between New Orleans and New York City and is finalizing his next full-length album expected to be released end of 2017 that was recording in the recording studio he and his wife built, Farmer's Jam Studios.

River Barrel Blues

"Dry Well"
When apologies just don't do justice.  When explanations don't make sense.  When excuses don't hold merits.

"Dry Well" players:
Mark Farmer (tracking, mixing, lead vocals, piano, organs)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing, bass, drums, guitar)
Ben Lorio (final mixing, mastering)
Mark Appleford (harmonica)
Garland Hoover (background vocals)
Rory Sullivan (background vocals)
Will Vance (background vocals)

Recording was done in the studio he and his wife built, Farmer's Jam Studios, in New Orleans, LA in 2017.  He is blessed with many talented friends and family members to contribute as players and singers on these songs.  His long-time friend and collaborator, Justin Tracy, travelled to New Orleans to assist with the initial production and tracking.  Final mixing and mastering was completed by Ben Lorio of Below Studios in New Orleans, LA.

Mark's Bio:
Mark Farmer is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Mississippi and New Orleans.  Over time, he has honed in on his folk-rock and blues sound with his piano-heavy gospel roots. Songwriting at a very young age, Mark has created several catchy numbers with messages that most anyone can empathize with. Mark specializes in piano rock and acoustic rock influenced by modern groups like The Gabe Dixon Band, Ian Moore, A.J. Croce, Ben Fold Five and every now and again sneaking in his southern gospel blues roots.

Mark currently splits his time between New Orleans and New York City and is finalizing his next full-length album expected to be released end of 2017 that was recording in the recording studio he and his wife built, Farmer's Jam Studios.

Dry Well

"Rise Above"
A very thought provocative song inspired by actor Jim Carrey's commencement speech he gave at a small Hindu university in Iowa.  "You can fail at what you don't want - so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love." ~Jim Carrey.

"Rise Above" players:
Mark Farmer (tracking, mixing, lead vocals, piano, bass, organs, guitars, electric piano)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing, drums)
Ben Lorio (final mixing, mastering)
Mark Appleford (harmonica)
Lauren Sturm (background vocals)

Rise Above

This wraps up the songs that I started recording over a year ago. This five song EP represents music development that has stretched over 20 years and are all very dear to my heart and soul.
I hope you enjoy listening to them and I hope it finds a place in your heart as it has mine. These ballads each have a very deep emotional permanent residence in my heart. They're about my journey, my sister, my nieces, my wife, and my inner self.
Thank you so much to everyone who was a part of the development of these songs.

The EP is available today at all online media outlets.
Google Play: https://goo.gl/6Z1Prr
Amazon MP3: https://goo.gl/wv9GfE
Spotify: https://goo.gl/qmTRDw
iTunes: https://goo.gl/TQfVf1

"The Detour"
Sometimes the greatest lessons learned were done so in the hardest possible way.

"Too Far Gone"
For my sister: I miss you so much.

"The Sun Comes Up In May (Victoria Grace)"
For my neices: Tori, Emma, and Lauryl. Never stop playing.

"Riddle It Over"
For my wife: I still riddle it over.

"Flying"
This is one of my first songs I've ever written about one of my first influences: Audobon Park on the river.

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Recording was done at Farmer's Jam Studios in New Orleans, LA in 2017. He is blessed with many talented friends and family members to contribute as players and singers on these songs. His long-time friend and collaborator, Justin Tracy, travelled to New Orleans to assist with the initial production and tracking. Mark performed the final mixing and mastering at Farmer's Jam Studios in New Orleans, LA.

"The Detour" players
Mark A Farmer (tracking, mixing, mastering, lead vocals, piano, bass, guitar, organ, electric piano)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing, drums)
Anna Weller (violins)
Mikayla Braun (background vocals)

"Too Far Gone"
Mark A Farmer (tracking, mixing, mastering, lead vocals, guitar, organ)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing)
Anna Weller (violins)
Mikayla Braun (background vocals)

"The Sun Comes Up In May (Victoria Grace)"
Mark A Farmer (tracking, mixing, mastering, lead vocals, electric piano, organ)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing, drums, guitar)
Mikayla Braun (background vocals)

"Riddle It Over"
Mark A Farmer (tracking, mixing, mastering, lead vocals, piano, bass, guitar, electric piano, drums)
Anna Weller (violins)
Mikayla Braun (background vocals)

"Flying"
Mark A Farmer (tracking, mixing, mastering, lead vocals, electric guitar, piano, organs, mandolin)
Justin Tracy (tracking, mixing, drums, acoustic guitar, banjo)
Anna Weller (violins)
Lauren Sturm (background vocals)

Mark Farmer

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