Mark Sandman - Sandbox
By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
Because of my love for rock and jazz, Morphine
grabbed my attention immediately when I first heard them. I remember the
day in 1999 that I read the story about Mark Sandman dropping dead on stage
of a massive heart attack. I was mortified. I had just begun my exploration
of their unique brand of rock music a few years prior to his passing. Mark
Sandman was a brilliant musician; he was one of the few that played bass
as the lead instrument in a group and he had one of the most entrancing
and extraordinary vocal styles I had ever heard. He could make his bass
sound so powerful and dominant; much like a lead guitar. He also had a
lot of music in the can before he left us.
Sandbox is a collection of some
of the best music Mark recorded outside the realm of his group Morphine.
Most of it does sound like Morphine so it was easy enough to find a common
denominator in a matter of moments. This is the pre-release two-disc set,
minus the DVD (if you order it now you can get the complete set). I am
very happy to have this in my possession even though the DVD is missing.
There are 31 tracks of prime Sandman low-fi rock on this set.
The bass is predominant, although some
tracks have some great guitar parts, which Morphine did not have. The trademark
bass and vocals make each song a rock gem to hold and cherish in Mark’s
memory. I have always loved Morphine because they were so different. Sandman’s
interesting vocal style, in the groove thumping bass lines accompanied
by the sexy saxophone, drove this music right along on its own private
road.
I really enjoyed the tracks about women;
they have so much energy and atmosphere, “Doreen,” “Monas Sister” and “Justine.”
Then to take things in a different direction with a more progressive harder
edged path, “Good Time Last Night” is a brief sojourn into a drone like
state, with bass parts that pull you through right through until the end,
setting you up for the second disc. I loved the way disc two opened with
“Riley the Dog.” He has a dog talking and howling to kick things off. It
is quite funny and heartwarming, showing what kind of person he was in
real life. His foundations hold firm but this is unmistakably Mark Sandman.
Do not fret Morphine fans this music rocks, as you would expect, just with
some different flavors-rock, pop, jazz, he even sings in Spanish on the
track “Hombre.” If I had to pick one song that clearly defines the Mark
Sandman sound, it would be “Livin With U,” what a great tune. There are
many outstanding songs on this comprehensive set besides what I already
mentioned. “Snow” and “They Bent Me” are real ear catchers.
Now we have another reason to continue
to celebrate the life and art of Mark Sandman. I do hope more of this great
music is uncovered soon. This was a definitive set; surely, this will be
a revelation to so many fans that have not discovered Sandman’s legacy
on CD.
More
CD Info
Mark Sandman
- Sandbox
Label: Hi-N-Dry
Rating: 
| Disc: 1
01. Double Stripper Double Sax
02. I Can Do That
03. Tomorrow
04. Patience
05. Cocoon
06. Imaginary Song
07. Goddess
08. Jealous Dream
09. Justine
10. The Phone
11. Devils Boots
12. Born Again
13. Wig
14. 51%
15. Good Time Last Night
|
Disc: 2
01. Riley the Dog
02. Some Other Dog
03. Snow
04. Doreen
05. Get Along
06. Monas Sister
07. Hombre
08. Hotel Room
09. Lets Not Talk
10. Bathtub
11. I Wanna Go Home
12. Deep Six
13. Livin With U
14. They Bent Me
15. Middle East
16. Early Man
|
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
is a veteran syndicated music critic, his reviews appear in over 35 publications
world-wide. To read more of Keith’s work visit muzikreviews.com
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