Category: Cutler, Mark
Mark Cutler – Murder of Crows
75OL-384 Mark Cutler – ‘Murder of Crows’ digital download and compact disc
$12.00 S&H Included
Digital download and streaming available here
Track Listing
- A Good Day
- You Can’t Sweet Talk
- Move
- Keep an Eye Out
- Too Late
- Floating Man
- Remembering Wrong
- I Know What It’s Like
- Some Kind of Light
- Man on the Moon
- Find Out Who Your Friends Are
- Home
Mark Cutler has been a musical hero in my native Rhode Island for decades now, and his latest record cements his status as one of the great un(der)discovered songwriters of recent times.
On Murder of Crows, out on streaming services June 9, Cutler continues to make rock music that’s for adults but still actually rocks: direct while still artful, serious without angst, classic but not self-pitying retro, combining the personal and the universal in a way that’s authoritative and empathetic.
My personal favorites included “Floating Man” even before I spoke with Cutler and learned that the titular character is his biological father, who died 10 days before Cutler was born (“So many things he didn’t get to know/As he floats above the power lines/All the people walking to and fro/In and out a little ring of light”); the tough-minded “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” (“You find out who your friends are/They find out who you are too”). The closer “Home,” which Cutler describes as “a love letter to life” (“How high I have felt when the ice starts to melt/First green sings in the sun/A new day’s first sigh/Before you know, the checkered flag flies/Seems like the race has just begun”), is another highlight, as well as the Zevon-esque snarl of “Remembering Wrong,” with lyrics by the Rhode Island-native author, music journalist, and TV producer and host Bill Flanagan.
Cutler recorded a lot of the tracks himself, as well as with longtime bandmates Rick Couto and Jimmy Berger. Murder of Crows is one of two albums Cutler has planned for the year; some the songs are brand new, while some have been kicking around in embryonic form for decades. “I’m getting old, and I want to literally release songs — you know, free them out to the world,” Cutler says. “I don’t want to just have them sitting around on a shelf or anything. …
“It’s just to get my body of work out there — not to be immortal or anything like that, but I feel like if you create something, you owe it, not to the public or to the world, but you owe it to the thing that you created, to give it a fair shot.”
A new path
Cutler made his name with The Schemers and The Raindogs in the 1980s and ‘90s, touring the country and getting radio and video airplay, though the brass ring eluded both bands in the end. That said, he made the break into full-time music-making 11 years ago, quitting his longtime job as a quality assurance engineer. “Dan, who was my therapist, he really saved my life and came up with a plan. I quit my job; I had enough guitar students to hold me over, and I drained my 401k and all that.”
It wasn’t long after that that Cutler found a new musical avenue that’s changed his life.
Filmmaker Jim Wolpaw contacted him about writing the soundtrack for a documentary on the Ladd School, an institution in Rhode Island for nearly a century that served as a school for people with mental and developmental disabilities but in practice was a “dumping ground” with more than a little bit of a eugenical philosophy and with many human rights violations to its name.
Wolpaw wanted Cutler to collaborate with former Ladd School residents on the soundtrack, and while Cutler says he wasn’t sure what to expect at first, by the end of the first meeting “I just said inside myself, ‘Thank you, God — I know I made the right decision.’”
That led to a decade of work with people with disabilities, and that led to The Same Thing Project, which Cutler describes as a community songwriting workshop for people from all walks of life.
“My elevator pitch is ‘From the banker to the bricklayer,’” Cutler says. We all want to want something out of life, like love, happiness. Want to take care of ourselves. Want to be able to have something to look forward to.”
Workshops are held once a week, and roughly 30 people show up. “Their day is transformed,” Cutler says. “I won’t say their life’s transformed, but their day is better. And I know my day and my life are better because of it. So, you know, it’s nice to have that cause and that effect.”
While a lot of the people at the Same Thing Project are differently abled, many are not. “My goal is to not have the Same Thing be about folks who are disabled. They’re just part of it. You know? They’re like, ‘That guy’s retired; that guy has Down syndrome’ — it’s just, that’s a person, that’s a person, and we’re all part of this thing, that we’re writing a song together.”
A lot of people find it a difficult time to be creative, and Cutler says he feels the same way at times — “I’ve gone a year without writing a song; there’s been periods of time when that happens” — but on the other hand working with the Same Thing Project is a great way to keep the creative muscles in shape.
Memories
Now Cutler, 67, plays with his band, Mark Cutler and the Men of Great Courage, as well as solo shows and the occasional Schemers reunion (“I don’t have much family alive anymore. … Your bandmates, they become a family for you too”). He’s not the same person who wrote “I Want Some Fun” or “Remember” more than 40 years ago, but the songs are memories for him as well as the audience.
“In most of the songs that I wrote, I can remember where I was when I wrote them, and I can go back to that, basement, and feel the air. You’re not the same person, but recalling back to that person is something that that’s magic, because, not everybody gets to do that, you know? I mean maybe a carpenter or a stone mason who can see, like, the brick wall that they built for a house when they were in their 30s or 20s. I guess that’s like our little monument, or whatever.”
Meanwhile, the songs keep coming, and with Murder of Crows, they keep coming out. Cutler’s also a skilled, evocative painter — he did the cover of the new record, and his Instagram features his artwork regularly — but songwriting, he says, is like nothing else.
“Songwriting resonates,” Cutler says. “I can feel it vibrating in my body, my chest, like two cool notes hitting together. And I’m not like, religious or anything. I’m very agnostic. But I do feel like completing a song, the act of writing a song, especially with other people — like Jesus said, ‘Where two or more of you are there in my name, that’s where I am’? Well, that’s God. To me, when you get together writing a song, that’s God — writing a song with other people. It’s a spiritual thing, even if you’re writing the low-down nastiest song in the world. It’s great stuff.”
And it’s as important as ever. “I know where I stand in the pantheon, but — you know, sometimes they find diaries of people [from] during Nazi wartime, and sometimes those little diaries say so much more. I’m not even talking about Anne Frank, although they found her diary. But you find these little snippets of life, and that’s what I’m trying to do, is leave little clues. And let people know ‘This is what was going on. And in my corner of the world, this is how I was feeling.’”
Mark Cutler Soundtracks Vol 1
75OL-347 Mark Cutler – Soundtracks Vol 1
Digital download and streaming available here
Track Listing
- Feeling Good 03:11
- The Mirror Song 03:35
- Slow Lightning 04:19
- True Crime Part 1 05:00
- True Crime Part 2 05:05
- A Safe Place 04:14
- True Crime Part 3 05:12
- True Crime Part 4 05:09
- Write Things Down 04:03
Thanks to friends and film makers- Guy Benoit, Laura Collella, Susan Collier, Richard Marr-Griffin, William Smythe, Jim Wolpaw.
All songs written and performed by MC.
Percussion on “Write Things Down” by Rick Couto.
Recorded and mixed at Rev Mok Studios Cranston and East Providence, RI.
Copyright 2023
Mark Cutler Side Effects
75OL-345 Mark Cutler – Side Effects
Digital download and streaming available here
Track listing
- I Didn’t Know 03:33
- Make Yourself at Home 02:45
- Half a Dose 03:05
- Side Effects 02:54
- Queen of the Dive 04:12
- Jimi Hendrix Changed His Own Strings 02:42
- Brainwashed 03:13
- Over and Over 03:36
- Things Gotta Change 03:09
- Flat Tire Town 03:04
Recorded and mixed at RevMok Studios in Cranston and East Providence, RI.
Produced and engineered by mc.
The Same Thing Project – Walks of Life Collaborations
75OL-293 The Same Thing Project – Walks of Life Collaborations
$15.00 S&H Included
Digital download and streaming is available here
Track Listing
- Common Ground
- Mama’s Blueberry Pie
- Someone to Love
- Music of the Night
- Better Days
- Scary Love
- Dream
- Ebb and Flow
- Home
- We’re Leaving
The Same Thing Project is a songwriting workshop for people from all walks of life.
We have musicians, artists, retired folks, people with disabilities, blue and white collar workers participate every week in writing a song.
We provide a place where you don’t have to be skilled at a musical instrument in order to be musical. The goal is to have a place where someone can be part of a creative community that is open, non judgmental and encouraging.
It’s our belief that the world is a better place when people can express themselves in an imaginative way. A society is measured by how much it nurtures its arts and culture. People appreciate the arts more when they themselves take part in creating it (whatever that might be). People are never too old or young to learn something new or to write a song. You can see that spark of inspiration go on in young kids, retired newspaper writers and the father and son who take lessons so that they can play guitars together. People who take part in The Same Thing Project know the feeling of being in the midst of the creative process. We want others in the community to experience it.
The Same Thing Project meets every Tuesday morning, 10:00AM at The Artists Exchange 82 Rolfe Square Cranston, RI and it’s free and open to everyone!
Mark Cutler and the Men of Great Courage at Pump House Music Works
Pump House Music Works
1464 Kingstown Rd
Wakefield, RI
7pm-10pm
Mark Cutler ‘Travel Light’ review in Motif Mag
Mark Cutler – Travel Light
On Travel Light everything is a little darker, from the tone of the guitars to the vocals; it isn’t overtly political, so much as a songwriter trying to make sense of the world. Cutler’s voice retains a sense of leeriness on “Nothing from Nobody” as he sings “I don’t want nothing from nobody, don’t expect you to hand your soul to me” over a rollicking Chicago blues lick. “What About You” is a classic ballad that feels like it fell off of an expanded version of Tom Petty’s Wildflowers as Cutler croons, “I’m only a hobo when I’m not by your side.” “Gaslight” is a cool tune that reminds me of ’70s Neil Young set to a rhythm reminiscent of a stripped down version of Smashing Pumpkin’s “1979.” The starkness of “East of Eden” reminds me of a cross between Beggars Banquet era Stones and Time Out of Mind era Dylan. “Misfits” and the closing title track retain a youthful quality — hitting the road for the next adventure. If you’ve never seen Mark Cutler live, it is an all-night party as he and his band play non-stop for hours with one tune after another drawing from his expansive career and covers of anyone from Jonathan Richman to the Stones. It is not to be missed and pick up a copy of Travel Light while you are at it!
Mark Cutler at Nick-a-nee’s CD Release Show
Nick-A-Nee’s
75 South St
Providence, RI
9pm
Mark Cutler ‘Travel Light’ review at BCMN
Mark Cutler’s latest album Travel Light marks another fine release from this Rhode Island roots rocker. Here, he’s as smooth as Jack Daniels at the microphone. The musicians around him create a weave of rustic, acoustic notes and snaky electric instrumentation. Together, it’s a strong package of music from an Americana singer-songwriter who just keeps getting better and better.
Opening cut “Two Hours To Go” is a lilting, breezing tune with an easygoing vibe. Cutler’s alluring vocal timbre and measured delivery keep it intriguing. Throwing in an acoustic guitar strum and a swinging groove, Cutler keeps the music in motion, like it’s taking us somewhere special. Beyond these musical accomplishments, the singer-songwriter presents an adventurous attitude that might remind of some of rock’s greatest heroes.
“Nothing From Nobody” continues that air of individual freedom and spirited adventure. Cutler’s attitude carries the most weight here, and he makes a fine example of someone who can live and breath the life he sings of. His slight swagger at the microphone is authentic. A persistent electric guitar humming and winding around the groove motion builds an aggressive vibe that suggests no prisoners will be taken on this personal life quest.
“Go With The Flow” does indeed have a flow. Cutler’s voice glides in measured doses over a restless groove and acoustic guitar march. He’s as cool as the bass line that oozes the low end motions as smoothly as anything that rides on ice. When an electric guitar begins crackling, the tune emits another layer of cool that just can’t be beat. We feel a 1960s laidback vibe and a feeling of acceptance of how all of the moving parts in this crazy, messed up world of ours have a life of their own.
“The Other Shoe” has more of a greasy edge, thanks to its electric guitar presence. An acoustic guitar makes a circular motion, like that something that doesn’t want to resolve itself. A swirling organ line and a sly fiddle line help complete the musical support. Cutler then opines quietly but persistently about the things that can wrong even as we anticipate the calamity. His natural cool comes across well, giving this tune a personality all its own, a sprawling attitude and a sprawling musical landscape to boot.
“What About You” is a quiet, rootsy piano ballad. Cutler’s raw, raspy voice fills the soundscape in this paired down number. He might remind of Tom Petty or Tom Waits singing of the sorry facts of life. A seesawing harmonica line ups the ante, making this song full of emotive suggestion. Perfectly crafted, this number carries all of its moving parts with a swaggering grace and with the kind of inner peace that comes from being world weary for too long.
Cutler contemplates the self-head game, the way we all have of freaking ourselves out in “Gaslight.” His witty observations are accompanied by musicianship so subtle you have to listen for it but would leave the song horribly naked if it wasn’t there. An acoustic guitar melody spirals upward and then back on itself so that the lyrical theme feels unresolved. This beefs up the lyrical theme beautifully while make the song move with a rustic, roots charm.
“It Goes Like This” features a pedal steel melody whose notes ring out with a beautiful authenticity. A hefty organ presence and a brisk electric guitar give Cutler a platform to deliver his heartfelt philosophy. Amongst many natural and rustic notes, this singer captures perfectly the feeling of being resigned to fate. He delivers it by wrapping his voice around every nuanced feeling his words and music conjure.
Chugging in more speedily, “I Killed A Man” becomes a fiercely honest murder ballad. A shuffling groove and mighty acoustic guitar strum backed by a muscular electric make one feel the urgency of just having committed an atrocity. It rocks out while offering stark images of what went down. Cutler’s skills as a songwriter and a singer who can deliver the goods comes across loud and clear.
“East Of Eden” is a quiet marriage of electric and acoustic instruments. Its multitude of notes travel in a lilting manner through Cutler’s lyrical imagery of damnation and hopelessness. His vocal here is a cross between a clear, smooth croon and a harrowing dark tone. It all works itself into a perfect mood and a perfect setting.
“Misfits” is a mellow dandy. With sparse accompaniment, Cutler sings of those who don’t find their place in society. His vocal, warmer here, reflects his compassion toward those who always seem to be stuck on the wrong side of the tracks. Creating a world of lost souls while looking over it like a concerned father, Cutler crafts a fine song out of his perceptive observation and his view of humanity.
Cutler closes out with his title track, “Travel Light.” A breezy melody line conjures images of an easy afternoon drive. His smooth croon contrast beautifully with a sharper electric guitar line. Sounding reserved and wise, Cutler delivers a stirringly handsome vocal, like he’s been keeping this sharper timbre in reserve for the finale. .
Cutler has come up with another fine roots rock albums. Traveling light with bassist Jimmy Berger, drummer Rick Couto, drummer David Narcizo, pedal steel player Jonathan Gregg, acoustic guitarist Banjo Bob Kirkman, fiddler Cathy Clasper-Torch, and keyboardist Rickard Reed, Cutler cut most of these tracks at RevMok Studios in Rhode Island. The album is a fine document of where the artist has arrived with his mastery of Americana roots music.
Mark Cutler – Travel Light
75OL-266 Mark Cutler – Travel Light
$15.00 S&H Included
Digital download and streaming available here
Track Listing
1. Two Hours To Go 2:53
2. Nothing From Nobody 4:11
3. Go With The Flow 4:44
4. The Other Shoe 4:14
5. What About You 3:48
6. Gaslight 3:45
7. It Goes Like This 3:48
8. I Killed A Man 3:38
9. East Of Eden 2:50
10. Misfits 3:23
11. Travel Light 3:50
All songs recorded and mixed by MC at Revmok Studios, except Killed A Man, recorded and mixed by Emerson Torrey at Satellite Studios. Mastered By Tom Buckland. Produced by MC. Special thanks to Kelly and Dan Cutler, Kyle and Lindsay Oelofse, Jonathan Gregg, Family, Friends, my band mates, and the folks from the Same Thing Project.
Cover design by Rick Couto.
Photography by MC.
Dedicated to George Skaubitis and Auntie Ev.
Jimmy Berger – bass guitar
Rick Couto – drums
David Narcizo – drums
Jonathan Gregg – pedal steel
Banjo Bob Kirkman – acoustic guitar
Cathy Clasper-Torch – violin
Richard Reed- keyboards
All songs written by mc copyright 2017 mok music publishing ascap
Mark Cutler & the Men of Great Courage at the Narragansett Cafe
Narragansett Cafe
25 Narragansett Ave
Jamestown, RI
9pm