Mark Westin's "Tales" Is a Must Listen in 2023

Tales is an album by singer-songwriter Mark Westin that takes listeners on a journey through his experiences and emotions, expressed through a collection of soulful and introspective tracks. The album offers a unique blend of folk, rock, and blues, and Westin's hauntingly beautiful vocals add a layer of raw emotion that is sure to resonate with listeners.

The album starts with the track "All Are Welcome Here", which sets the tone for what is to come. Mark's warm, melodic voice adds a sense of intimacy into the tales he weaves. 

Tales was recorded at The Building in Marlboro, New York. After the isolation of Covid, which had required Mark to record by himself at home with collaborators uploading their tracks, "I really wanted to get back into a room with other musicians and make an old-school record," he shares.

His band for Tales was The Restless Age: Will Bryant, Lee Falco, and Brandon Morrison. They’re terrific players who have performed with Donald Fagen, Marshall Crenshaw, Joan Osborne, The Lemonheads, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Amy Helm and many others.

"I wanted the album to feel fresh and immediate, so I gave the band only basic sketches of the songs in advance and told them to go with their first instincts in the moment. We all played together live, and none of the songs took more than three takes to nail down."

Tales is a truly remarkable album that showcases Mark Westin's incredible talent as a singer-songwriter. The album's lyrics are introspective and deeply personal, and Westin's hauntingly beautiful vocals add a sense of raw emotion that is sure to resonate with listeners. The album's unique blend of folk, rock, and blues creates a rich and diverse soundscape that is both powerful and deeply moving. "Tales" is an album that deserves to be heard, and Westin's talent as a songwriter and musician shines through in every track.

Freelance Writer

Emily Hinde