This week’s episode features UK-based author, music journalist and musician Mark Brend, who introduces Al to David Ackles and his 1968 self-titled debut album. Mark talks about why he decided to buy the album 40 years ago without having heard any of it, and he revisits what his initial impressions were. He also shares what he learned about the making of the album and about Ackles’ career as a result of researching his latest book, Down River: In Search of David Ackles. Mark discusses his musical project Ghostwriter and how its latest album, Tremulant, was something of a departure.
Mark mentioned that you can order Down River: In Search of David Ackles via the Jawbone Press website. You can find out more about the book and order it here: http://jawbonepress.com/down-river/
You can follow Mark on Bluesky at @minutebook
To check out Mark’s music with Ghostwriter, head on over to their Bandcamp page…https://ghostwriter3.bandcamp.com/
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1:16 Mark joins the show
1:36 Mark recounts his first experience with listening to David Ackles
4:55 Mark talks about Ackles’ penchant for telling stories with his songs
6:33 Mark initially had a hard time finding information about Ackles
10:06 Mark explains why he chose this Ackles album to discuss
12:23 Mark highlights a couple of his favorite moments from the album
15:54 Mark surmises why Ackles hasn’t received more recognition
23:24 Mark talks about the recording of the album
29:21 Mark and Al talk about how well the album’s final two tracks work together
32:55 Mark acknowledges the contributions of Michael Fonfara and Jerry Penrod
35:37 Mark explains why he decided to write Down River
36:51 Mark talks about some discoveries that surprised him while researching the book
39:44 Ackles has some devoted fans, including some well-known musicians
43:24 Mark talks about his musical project Ghostwriter
Outro music is from “Often Forfeit” by Ghostwriter.
