music

Crazy Horse Country (2005)

Mark released his first CD, "Something Tells Me," in late 2000 to critical acclaim. One of our favorite quotes was from Swedish reviewer, Jonah Ohman, who wrote: "Mark's music is what the music of the Byrds or the Flying Burrito Brothers must have been if they had continued on their country/rock/folk in the 90's. . . . Gram Parsons is smiling in heaven!" "Something Tells Me" was played enough on European country radio to place Mark at number 38 on the Worldwide Mainstream Artists' Chart of February 2001! Unfortunately, American radio continues to shut most Americana artists out! 

Mark has spent a lot of time and money in preparing his second CD, "Crazy Horse Country." It features the same musical stylings as his first--Byrdsian country-folk-rock! Mark wrote seven of the twelve offerings and is backed vocally as well in several duets by talented Minnesota singer, Sue Shockey. 

The album features several impressive cover tunes, the first being "If YOu Could Read My Mind," written by Gordon Lightfoot. Mark does it surprisingly different than the original version, giving it a west-coast country-rock sound, replete with steel and Richenbacker. He also does a pedal steel-soaked version of Tim Hardin's classic, "Misty Roses." In addition to these standouts, listen to Mark's own classic folk tale of the Nez Perce leader--Chief Joseph, in which some of Joseph's own words are set to music! You will also want to make sure to listen to "You Keep Runnin' Revisited," a one-of-a-kind hard-rockin' lyrical critique of the American political system, with actual quoted speech lines from your favorite (?) presidents! 
The album is presently receiving considerable airplay on roots streaming radio station, Sisyphus Tracks. 

 

Something Tells Me (2000)

Mark Diedrich is a songwriter and musician of diverse musical influence. His music is a blend of folk, country, bluegrass and rock, best labeled today as Americana. It features the rootsy sounds of acoustic guitars, harmonicas, steel guitars, harmonies from vocalist Sue Shockey, and 12-string Rickenbacker guitars, and several Neil Young-styled guitar solos by Jim Cardinal. The results have been compared to the sounds of the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, and Mike Nesmith and the First National band. 

Since the album's release,it has received considerable attention in many European countries. Mark became one of the 50 most played indie artists on the Worldwide Mainstream Artists Chart in February 2001. His version of "True Love Ways," was released on the May 2001 Country Hotdisc promotional compilation, and went to number 52 on the EMS indie country charts. "Walk Away" and "He Sure Could Sing" were also released to European radio, via Texas Twister Radio Records Comp. 6. 

Mark's CD starts off with "He Sure Could Sing: Song for Gram Parsons." It tells the biographical story of a Johnny B. Goode gone wrong--the unfortunate death of a talented singer and writer in 1973. 

The second track, "Stranger Yet," features dueling 12-strings and pedal steel--for pure sixties country-rock heaven. 

Third track, "Something Tells Me," a love song, features double lead guitars, reminiscent of the Eagles, played by former Nashville player, Jim Cardinal. 

Mark does one cover on the album, fourth track, "True Love Ways," the Buddy Holly classic, and gives it an entirely new interpretation by speeding it up and using a 12-string riff and pedal steel. 

The other tracks continue to show Mark's vitality and versatility, especially the hard-edged country-rock sounds of "Walk Away," the fast banjo driven gospel-bluegrass song, "Universal Gathering" and the rockin' "Boots and Saddles." And if you loved the Byrds' "My Back Pages," you will appreciate "Find Our Dreams," which features the jangly 12-string and McGuinn-ish lead solo. The album concludes with the spiritual poetry of Madame Guyon put to music--"Still Without Ceasing"-- with great backup singing by Lori Ann Reinalda. 

 

Reviews for Something Tells Me

author: Ray Grundy, United Kingdom Dj

Mark Diedrich is a self confessed fan of 60s Rock/Pop/Country band, 'The Byrds,' and it certainly shows in his music. "Stranger Yet" is a self-penned song, complete with jangly guitars that could very easily have come off a Byrds album. This is a good release from Mark and I expect it to do well for him.

Welcome addition to the collection of any Byrds' fan!

author: Larry Belanger/allmusic.com

AMG EXPERT REVIEW: Mark Diedrich has put out an album that has a country-rock feel and style in most of the songs. The few that are not in this genre are not too far from the signature style of the artist. They touch on bluegrass, gospel and rock, which adds just a bit of variety, but never wanders too deeply. Mark Diedrich's musical influences (the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Flying Burrito Brothers) comes shining through in his compositions, but he still manages to convey to the listener through lyrics and melody lines, an individual, original, signature style and sound.

This is the Kind of Disc I search For!

author: Jay Bunke

Mark, who is a friend of mine, captured a unique sound on his disc. The overall atmosphere still haunts me a bit after several listens. Licks aside, he preserved something that is truly unique. There are precious few recordings in my collection that have a sound that really mystifies. It's relaxed, yet has artistic tension, it's gentle, yet something seems to be lurking, it's straightforward, yet mysterious at times. This is a disc that will keep me wondering for many plays to come!

author: Thomas Leary For Mule Dog Magazine

This CD has some excellent material mostly penned by Mark. The only exception is a tune that is a real treasure, "True Love Ways," by the great Buddy Holly and Norman Petty. The execution on this is flawless and . . . everyone should hear this fantastic version. It is a must, as well as the wonderful tribute to Gram Parsons, "He Sure Could Sing." All in all, a very fine CD with a different sound.

author: Big Al Watts, Australian Country Dj

This material is a real treasure as far as I am concerned. That West Coast country-flavored music, so popular in the 60s and early 70s, never went out of favor. . . . I'm not sure I would compare Mark to any particular artist. What I hear is an artist who is presenting some great material, played with a passion that only a singer-songwriter can. I love it and can't wait to air it on my program.

author: Mike Aydelott Of Round Sound

Touted as an artist in the Americana style, Mark Diedrich wears his reverence for the Burrito Brothers, Byrds, and Buffalo Springfield in full view. While these influences are clearly in force (a jangling 12 string Rickenbacker is liberally used), the execution reminds me more of Brewer and Shipley. This disc is distinguished by Diedrich's sincere commitment to the styles he loves, the tight arrangements, and clean harmonies. It is a fresh re-introduction to an important American music style.

SOME GOOD LISTENING

author: Sue Mccarthy

"Stranger Yet" celebrates the sound of the Byrds. This has a lovely country feel, with some nice guitar work. "Find Our Dreams" is about the love for his wife, a song with a Byrds feel, . . and guitarist Jim Cardinal does a great solo. . . . . My pick of the album is "Something Tells Me" . . . Tempos range from slow to fast, and the whole is some good listening.

Mark Diedrich -- Classic Americana

author: John Ludi

Mark is a skilled and astute songwriter/musician with an independent spirit and a strong country influence. His vocals are kind of a cross between Jerry Garcia and Petty/McGuinn. "Something Tells Me" is a fine release that displays several decades of quality work.

author: Ben Ohmart Of Musicdish Industry E-journal

In just 36 minutes, you will know what it's like to blend country, pop, folk and bluegrass under a Byrds' blanket and come up with something bracing and static free. Everyone seems to be reminded of The Byrds when they listen at Mark's soft pop acoustics, backed by that country band in the next studio. Well, what about Michael Nesmith? . . . "Stranger Yet" . . . and "True Love Ways" are my favorite kind of sounds . . . and they take me back lovingly to that Nesmith 60s sound again. Thank you!

author: Donna Of Downeast Reviews

Mark Diedrich's musical influences from the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers comes shining through in his compositions, but he still manages to convey to the listener through lyrics and melody lines an individual, original, signature style and sound. . . .The artist has the charisma and talent that should take him places. . . .This one's a keeper! (See full review for details.)

author: Gerd Stassen, German Dj

I really enjoyed the CD, with the wonderful Rickenbacker jingle-jangle sound. . . . Byrds. . . (Turtles). . . & steel guitar. My faves are "Stranger Yet," and the classical "True Love Ways," and songs like "Universal Gathering" . . . great stuff for my Hillbilly Rockhouse radio show!

author: Trudy Burke, Australian Dj

"Boots and Saddles" is a really great song--it's actually one of my favorites on the album!

author: Theglobalmuse.com/cdreviews/reviews25.html

Mark Diedrich . . . mixes his style with a great country music vibe, but still keeps that folk sound pure and passionate. The lyrics are real and heartfelt, and expressed so beautifully by Mark's great vocals. . . . With a laid-back blend of folk and an intelligent take of songwriting, Mark brings the beauty of his music to the spotllight in this album. It's just great music, what else can I say.

author: Jonas Ohman (of Sweden)

"The designation Americana fits very well on Mark Diedrich's music. It includes all the necessary ingredients: Folksy lyrics with substance, melodies in the borderland between country and rock, with a hint of psychedelica thrown in, a band including everything from a 12-string Rickenbacker to a banjo, and references to Gram Parsons and The Byrds. The album kicks off with a heartfelt tribute to Gram Parsons. With the one exception being a personal version of Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways," the rest of the songs are from Mark's thirty years as a songwriter. The music is as soft-spoken as Mark, the electronic gadgets are reduced to a minimum, and it's the singer and the musicians that are in the focus, not the producer. Over all, this is an enjoyable album for all who are tired of commercial and overproduced music. Gram Parsons is smiling in heaven!"

author: Bryan Baker---gajoob

Time often gives presence to depth and can uniquely allow an album such as this to act as a sort of testament to a life's work. The songs on Something Tells Me are culled from Diedrich's catalog of hundreds of songs, dating back to 1973. And the timespan belies a stylistic range as well, starting out solidly in a coffeehouse folk vein with Sue Shockey's capable background vocals, and touching more than passingly into more edgy electric folk rock. . . . Jim Cardinal's electric guitar provides some sizzle throughout. Also of note is Diedrich's special affinity and respect for Byrds legend Gram Parsons, who makes his influence felt powerfully throughout.

author: Fufkin.com

Very nice, authentic Byrds sounding CD. This isn't just jangly, it is downright Byrdsian, particularly Sweetheart/Gram Parsons era.

author: Dave Pilot, For Rockzillaworld

There are songs on this album that deserve to be heard. One is "Find Our Dreams," . . probably the best cut on the disc, combining a Byrds' style harmony and lyrical style. . . . Also, Diedrich's take on the old classic ["True Love Ways"] is startling; the first listen is almost like hearing the song for the first time. . . . To those of a similar mind as Diedrich, this will become a favorite CD that rarely leaves the changer. It is coffeehouse music, best enjoyed on a back porch overlooking a mountain valley waterfall! (See website for full review)

Behind the Music

Mark Diedrich is a native of Minnesota, having lived most of his 50-something years in the Rochester area. His mother was a great piano player and lover of singing show tunes, surrounding Mark Diedrich with music continually. She is the one that showed him the path by signing him up to play drums in the fourth grade. He played drums with his first band in the '60s, the Nightmares. He started to have an interest in the guitar around this time, he felt that he would like to try his hand at writing songs and the guitar would give him a new medium. He wrote his first compositions when he was 14 years old. During his high school years, he resided in St Paul, MN, where he played guitar and sang with a number of rock-based bands. Mark Diedrich went on to study art at the University of Minnesota. This is the period when he formed his most enduring working band, Coyote, and it's subsequent incarnation, Going to the Sun. The band performed throughout the state of Minnesota and western Wisconsin between 1970 and when they disbanded in 1973. During these years, Mark Diedrich worked hard at honing his songwriting abilities, focusing on writing memorable and enduring melodies and lyrics. His musical interests were strongly influenced by bands like the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. He feels that these influences led him beyond rock to a stronger roots folk, country, and bluegrass style. He focused his lyrical writings on content that ranged from love and relationships to tales of the Civil War and Native American Indians. His early efforts to reach record labels with his demos were to no avail. 

Unfortunately, through the overuse of his voice, his throat was severely damaged and did not recover fully until years later. Unable to perform because of his throat, Mark Diedrich turned to writing Christian music in 1973. With the aid of other musicians, he recorded a collection of dynamic spiritual songs. His intention to press records was abandoned when he moved to Chicago for a time with his young family. As his throat improved, he continued to write songs and made a dozen home recordings, which he made available to friends on cassettes. He found a career niche of writing history of Native American Indians and publishing his work under the name, Coyote Books. In the '80s, he performed in restaurants and bars doing solo engagements and in a duo, Diedrich Brothers, with his brother Paul Diedrich. In the mid-'90s, with a resurgence of coffeehouse venues in southeastern Minnesota, Mark Diedrich began performing as a solo act on acoustic guitar and harmonica. Having over 200 songs in his repertoire, he easily performed all original material and interpretations of songs from favorite artists like Neil Young. 

In early 2000, Mark Diedrich joined forces with an IBM engineer and musician, Jim Cardinal, who owned a recording studio in Rochester, MN. Together they produced Mark Diedrich's ten-track album, Something Tells Me. All of the songs on the album were original songs, with the exception of Mark Diedrich's interpretation of Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways." The album has been described as an eclectic and exciting mix of folk, country, and rock, which certainly takes it's rightful place in contemporary Americana. ~ Larry Belanger, Rovi