The album opens with a delicious rendition of "Mr. Kicks," a song composed by Oscar Brown, Jr. After a brief instrumental section, Mark comes in on vocals, and the song's first line makes it a nice choice to kick off an album. "Permit me to introduce myself/The name is Mr. Kicks/I dwell in a dark dominion/Down by the river Styx/The devil has sent me here because/I'm full of wicked tricks/And I'm such a popular fellow/Among all you lunatics." Ah, not only does he take on a cool character with this number, but also gives the listening audience a character as well. We are all lunatics. It is like we are involved in some Faustian fun. Mark Christian Miller delivers a wonderful vocal performance. Smooth, just like this character, right? There is also some really nice drumming here. The arrangement is by Robert Kyle, who delivers a totally cool lead on tenor saxophone. Mark Christian Miller gives us some scat in the middle and again toward the end of the track. And now that he's cast this spell on us, he changes directions with "You Make Me Feel So Young," this one featuring Robert Kyle on flute, that instrument helping to set the tone at the beginning. "You make me feel so young/You make me feel like spring has sprung/And every time I see you grin/I'm such a happy individual." There is a brief pause after that line, with a nice little bit on drums that makes me think he is so happy that he finds himself doing a little dance. Robert Kyle did the arrangement for this one as well. As I get older, this song has a different impact on me, a different meaning, and I love Mark Christian Miller's approach. He engages in some light, cheerful scat, which feels so natural, like he can't help but vocalize how he's feeling, even when there aren't words. Perfect for this song, don't you agree?
The album's title track, "Strange Meadowlark," feels cheerful and whimsical at the beginning, a clear kind of love heard in Mark's delivery. "Can't you sleep, meadowlark/Is there nothing left but whistling in the dark." Soon hints of melancholy and yearning enter the sound, heard in his voice, but also in the piano work. Yet he still looks up, "Far from all the noisy crowds," and there is hope in that. The song segues seamlessly and gently into "Skylark." Mark Christian Miller delivers a beautiful vocal performance. "Wonderful music," he sings, as he delivers the very thing. The arrangement is by Chris Dawson and Mark Christian Miller. Then "Hello Love" features some warm, wonderful work on saxophone, with a late-night vibe, at the beginning, setting the mood. "Hello love/Awfully glad you found me," Mark sings, and we can hear the truth of those words, the need, in his delivery. Aren't we all glad that our loves found us? Where would any of us be without that special person? Where would any of us be without love? "Hello, love/Now at last you hear me." This is a gorgeous, touching rendition, with some beautiful saxophone work supporting Mark's moving vocal performance. It also features some tender work on piano, adding to that great late-night vibe. The arrangement by Chris Dawson and Mark Christian Miller.
The piano sets the mood in "Dream," and at the beginning Mark's voice is supported just by piano. I love the way his holding the note on the word "and" leads into the main body of the song and the entrance of the other players. And when he sings, "Dream when you're feeling blue/Dream, that's the thing to do," it is like he is answering our need for advice in these tough and depressing times. Who isn't reaching out for some understanding, some comfort now? Mark is here for us. "Dream, and they might come true." Ah yes, there are no promises, but keep dreaming anyway. And while we do, the saxophone is there to guide us, to encourage us. After some pretty work on piano, this track includes a nice lead on bass. "Things never are as bad as they seem," Mark Christian Miller sings. Let's hope he's right. Listening to this music, I trust he is. As he repeats the word "dream" at the end, there is a sort of magic to the word, perhaps the dream being encouraged to become reality, or, more likely, reality entering the dream. There is a more playful bent to the piano work at the beginning of "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm." And Mark's vocal approach is different too. Immediately our spirits are lifted. "But I can weather the storm/What do I care how much it may storm/I've got my love to keep me warm." That's what we need to get us through these tough times. Whatever storms may rage outside, meteorologically speaking, or politically, or whatever, life is really about love, about being with that special someone. So hang in there, friends. I love the piano lead in the middle of this track. This one also features a cool lead on bass that conveys a good amount of cheer itself. "Off with my overcoat/Off with my glove/I need no overcoat/I'm burning with love." May we all feel that.
Josh Nelson joins Mark Christian Miller on piano on "Early In The Morning." He also did the arrangement for this track. This one contains a sweet, tender instrumental opening. Robert Kyle is on flute. Mark soon sets the scene: "Early in the morning/Of a lovely summer day/As they lowered the bright awning/At the outdoor cafe." We can feel the warmth of the day in his voice, and in the gentle playing. We can feel the ease. There is no need to rush. Why can't life be a sweet dream? It is a simple scene, which seems to take on more power as the lines are repeated. And at the end, we learn this is all memory, and so it makes sense that he focuses on those few details, and remains there as long as he wishes. It makes me wonder just what is happening now that makes escaping to this past so appealing, so necessary. Probably each of us listening has a different answer. I love that the instruments are like characters in this song.
"Though the days are long," Mark sings at the very beginning of "I'll See You In My Dreams," and I think how sometimes the days are so long, and yet life is so short. "Soon my eyes will close/Soon I'll find repose/And in dreams you're always near to me." Yes, dreams play a key role again, obvious from the title. It is after that line that the song takes off, the rhythm moving things forward, rushing toward those dreams with a certain joy. This track contains some delightful, beautiful work on saxophone. And the piano lead keeps things hopping. Also, on this track, we are treated to a drum solo, so I'm happy. And a bass lead follows. What more could you want? The album then concludes with "Sometimes." On this track, Mark Christian Miller plays piano. And he did the arrangement. There is a warmth to his playing that matches his vocal work. When he comes in on vocals, there is a brief moment where he hums, which is lovely. "Sometimes, not often enough, we reflect upon the good things/And those thoughts always center around those we love." I know most of us did a lot of reflecting during the pandemic, and that hasn't really changed since then. This is a short and sweet number, a lovely conclusion to an excellent album.
CD Track List
- Mr. Kicks
- You Make Me Feel So Young
- Strange Meadowlark/Skylark
- Hello Love
- Dream
- I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
- Early In The Morning
- I'll See You In My Dreams
- Sometimes
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