News & Articles Archives

October 30, 2021October 30, 2021

Love, Luck and Time Album Launch at Jimmy’s.

The album launch event for the new album Love, Luck and Time took place on 26th September 2021 at Jimmy’s on Bold Street, Liverpool. This was the first post-lockdown gig since the covid pandemic began and the first time I’ve performed with a band for many years. I was joined on stage by singer songwriter Stuart Todd (A.k.a. Shadow Captain) on bass guitar and vocals, music producer and multi-instrumentalist Andy Fernihough on drums and musician/composer Sean Buls on guitar. I’d like to say a huge “Thanks!” to the guys for helping me bring the music from the recording to the stage.

Mark Pountney and Band performing with band at Jimmy’s for Love Luck and Time Album Launch 26.09.21. Stu Todd (Left) Mark Pountney (Mid-Left), Andy Fernihough (Mid-Right) Sean Buls (Right). Photo by Grace Darroch 2021.

The night was supported by a captivating performance from, local singer-songwriter Evie Moran; reflecting influences like Billie Marten and The Staves, her carefully crafted originals tell stories of love, dreams, and nature.

Also supporting the event was Alan O’Hare from Only Child, he played a set of original tracks including his new single The new single Straight Lines; his tribute to all the women and men that came before us. He namechecking Woody Guthrie, Nina Simone, Shane McGowan and Gil Scott Heron in a passionate statement of intent on the troubadours that preceded him.

The album Love, Luck and Time was played in it’s entirety; opening with acoustic title track, Love, Luck and Time quickly followed by the rocky Master Key. There was the addition of songs from previous albums, such as Diamond of My Mind from Mark Three, The River and Simple Story, which appear on Rust & Dust by my previous band, the Mojave Collective and Won’t Let You Down, which hasn’t been officially recorded yet. The night was well-attended and each member of the audience received a free download of the album.

Love, Luck and Time is available from all major digital music stores amazon, spotify, iTunes, Band Camp

April 28, 2020April 28, 2020

California on my Mind Single by Mark Pountney

California on my mind.

New single, California on My Mind, is now available for stream and download. The track was recorded in January 2019. All instruments were played by Mark Pountney except double bass (Chris Simpson). The music was mastered with the help of Andy Fernihough.

Artwork was created by Mark pountney; Photo by Alison Roberts.

Also available is Mark’s Albums, Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, Live at Home and Rust and Dust by the Mojave Collective.

October 16, 2019October 16, 2019

Mark Pountney Grateful Freds at the Atkinson, Supporting Alice Wallace

Mark Pountney discusses the Grateful Fred night 2 October 2019, supporting Alice Wallace:

I recently performed at one of my favourite venues, the Atkinson Theatre in Southport. It was a Grateful Fred’s night, and these nights, in particular, have a long history of bringing quality artists over from the States to perform, supported by local artists. I was supporting Alice Wallace.

Mark Pountney performing at the Atkinson — Mark Performing at the Atkinson Theatre Photo by Matt Todd

I performed a mix of material from (Mark Pountney albums) Mark I, Mark II, Mark III and Live at home. It’s always a pleasure to perform in front of an attentive audience, and the crowd at the Atkinson is certainly that. I started off the set playing alone and was joined, for the second half of the set, by Paul Dance on bass guitar. The songs I performed included Footprints in the Sand, Sorrow Killers, Diamond of My Mind and Don’t let me go.

Mark Pountney and Paul Dance performing at the Atkinson

Headliner

Topping the bill was Alice Wallace, a California born Singer-Songwriter, who was about to embark on a UK tour. This was the first date of the tour. She was backed by two excellent musicians, Joe Coombs electric guitar and Scott Warman on upright bass. Together they played a fantastic set of original songs and some covers. Alice has certainly mastered the art of yodeling and had found a way of integrating the technique into her material. I particularly enjoyed a song called the Same Old Song.

A local trio, The Hard Way Home, kicked off the night, super tight harmonies and strong original material.

Thanks to Paul Dance for bass, the staff at the Atkinson for light / sound and hospitality, Colin Maddocks for the invitation and support. Also, wishing Alice and the guys the best of luck with the rest of the tour.

August 23, 2019August 27, 2019

Pedal Steel Sessions with The Sums and Shadow Captain.

Earlier this year I was asked play some pedal steel guitar on a couple of recording sessions. The first session I played on was for Shadow Captain, (aka Stuart Todd). The songs were Goodbye and Clandestine Lover. I played drums on that on too. That’s due for release late 2019/ early 2020. Andy Fernihough, who is well known as a musician and as the studio manager at Crash Rehearsal Rooms, has been working on those recordings. So when the Sums, formerly known as Smaller were looking for some different sound, Andy suggested that I could do some steel on their new album, Better. I played on two tracks, Contraception Is Rife and Salt of the Earth. I first saw, lead singer, Digsy perform with Smaller at the Liverpool Lomax, supporting Oasis. Later I played on the same lineup a few times in venues like the Picket, when I was in the Marbles.

I bought the steel from a friend in about 2006, some of it was hand made but it has a Ronnie Bennett pickup on it. It’s hard work to play the mechanisms are very stiff, but I’ve persevered and managed to get some good things out of it. I need to practice more. Some of my favorite steel players are Buddy Emmons, Buddy Cage (New Riders), Jerry Hogan (Heads Hands and Feet), JayDee Maness (Sweetheart of the Rodeo), Red Rhodes (Mike Nesmith), Weldon Myrick (Areacode 615) and of course Jerry Garcia,

I have a some more sessions planned.