Mark T. Small ~ 2021 August 18 ~ Falmouth Bandstand ~ Falmouth, MA
Review
This was about the fourth time I have seen Mark T. Small, blues guitarist extraordinaire. He plays primarily blues numbers from the 1920s through the 1950s. He tells stories about the songs and the men and women who created and performed them. If that sounds talky, well it is, a bit, but the stories and information Mark shares are completely fascinating and add a lot to the enjoyment of these songs. A real virtuoso, he switches among a couple of acoustic guitars and a dobro.
He also sings very well, varying the vocals from the sweetly melodic to a swampy growl. It's impossible not to be drawn into the world that Mark portrays with such fevered enthusiasm. Every time I've seen him I've come away with a new appreciation for the truly American music form, the blues.
You could tell how much Mark was into playing since he started at 6:30 and played straight through to 9:00, without taking a break, and even kept on with an encore or two. He set up at the bandstand at Marine Park by Falmouth Inner Harbor. This location has had a minimal music series this summer, with about two other concerts, and they are hoping to have a more extensive series next year. That would be great, since there's plenty of room for lawn chairs or blankets as well as a good sized parking lot right next to the park.