MARK EITZEL
Music For Courage And Confidence (NewWest)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Mark Eitzel just kills Bill Withers' soul masterpiece "Ain't No Sunshine." Just kills it. Strips it bare. Nothing but a stark organ, some clunky percussion, and Eitzel's sleepy white boy drawl. And it's fucking fantastic. About the most depressing slice of music pie served up this year. Where Withers' take was a heart wrenching cry of love, full of sweet memories, anguish, sweat and irresistible pleas, Eitzel offers doom and gloom desperation. You know when that woman heard Withers she came running back, and you know when that woman hears Eitzel, she shivers, cries a little and moves on. And all that without changing a word. I've sold Eitzel short before, but here I can't complain, he's come up with a gem. There's a bunch of other covers on the record, but I'm all done talking.

© 2002 - John Sekerka