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Produced by second guitarist Norman Nardini, the CD features 11 strong songs penned mostly by Nardini and sung stylishly and forcefully by Stutso. The tunes range from the slow and soulful, such as "Three Times Your Fool," to the uptempo ilk favored by the Drivers, like "Scared Straight" and Heart Break Shake." There is even a song with a Latino flavor, "Are You Feelin' Me?." "Bow Legged Woman," the longest cut on the album, sounds strikingly like the late 1960s incarnation of Fleetwood Mac when it was an excellent British Blues band featuring the guitars of Danny Kirwen and Jeremy Spencer.

For the most part Stutso focuses on his singing; his sticks work is solid and yes, driving, but he only adds rhythmic embellishments and variety on a few cuts, such as the rave-up Rockabilly "Victoria's Secret." Tom Valentine on bass provides laudable accompaniment throughout, as does Glenn Pavone on lead guitar. The guitar interplay between Nardini and Pavone on the opening number, "Million Tears," is particularly compelling.

As a singer Stutso is impressive. He has power and range and his pipes are reminiscent of Curtis Salgado with faint flavors of Little Milton and Boz Scaggs. His vocal duet with Whitey Cooper on "You Go Your Way" is especially stellar.

No misleading title here: this album, a tasty amalgam of Blues, Rock, and Soul, has the perfect name: Rock My Soul.

Steve Daniels is a contributing editor at BluesWax. You may contact Steve at blueswax@visnat.com.

Wie wel eens de kleine lettertjes leest op de cd hoezen, en de tijd neemt om bezettingen en playlists uit te pluizen, zal hem misschien wel kennen: Mark Stutso, al 18 jaar is hij de drummer van Jimmy Thackery en iemand die het sideman spelen helemaal in zijn bloed heeft. Hij was dan natuurlijk ook zeer vereerd en verrast gevraagd te worden om lead zanger te worden op een bluesproject van een collega. Hij werd gevraagd voor een blues project van Norman Nardini, (King of Pittsburg rock 'n roll, en vriend van onder meer Southside Johnny) die een tiental nummers voor hem geschreven had. Mark mocht onder zijn naam deze cd volzingen met zijn krachtige soulvolle rock en blues stem. En dat heeft hij met veel verve gedaan. Nu is Mark niet aan zijn proefstuk wat zingen betreft, ze zijn eerder zeldzaam, de zingende drummers, maar Mark Stutso neemt bij de Drivers concerten wel eens meer de zang voor zijn rekening. Het mag gezegd worden, Jimmy Thackery is een eersteklas gitarist, maar als zanger is hij veel minder een topper. Daarom dat in de “moeilijkere” nummers waar een krachtige stem gevraagd is, Mark live meestal overneemt. Als drummer is hij de meester van de shuffle, daarom dat ook op deze cd er een aantal terug te vinden zijn. Zo begint de cd sterk met “Million tears” waar vooral opvalt wat een sterke stem deze man wel heeft, en ook de slide gitaarlicks van Glenn Pavone dragen ertoe bij dat dit al dadelijk een song is die de toon zet voor de rest van deze bluesy rockplaat. Het wat funky ritme van de meeste songs doet me samen met de stem van Mark regelmatig denken aan de muziek van de Cate Brothers, met wie hij onder meer ook ooit samenwerkte. Het langzame “Three Times Your Fool” en vooral “You Go Your Way”, beiden songs vol vocaal vuurwerk van Mark, die het soulgehalte van zijn stem benadrukken. Pure blues krijgen we in “Bow Legged Woman”, en in de afsluiter en de enige cover op deze cd: “I Want A Woman” een Eddie Hinton compositie, een song die natuurlijk op maat gesneden is voor die heerlijke stem van hem. Vertel het niet aan Jimmy, maar Mark Stutso zou binnenkort wel eens zijn eigen weg kunnen bewandelen, hij heeft het in ieder geval in zich.
(RON)

Who ever read the small print on the CD covers, and take the time to occupations and playlists to pick, he will perhaps know: Mark Stutso, the past 18 years, he is the drummer of Jimmy Thackery and someone who all play sideman in his blood. He was obviously very surprised and honored to be asked to be lead singer in a blues project of a colleague. He was asked for a blues project of Norman Nardini, (Pittsburg King of rock 'n roll, and friend of including Southside Johnny) that a dozen songs he had written. Mark was allowed under his name this CD volzingen with his powerful blues rock and soul full voice. And that he has done with great verve. Now Mark is not to test what his singing is concerned, they are rather rare, the singing drummers, but Mark Stutso take in the Drivers concerts ever more vocal on his behalf. It must be said, Jimmy Thackery is a first guitarist, singer, but if he is much less of a hit. Therefore, that in the "difficult" numbers where a powerful voice asked, Mark live usually takes over. As a drummer, he is the master of the shuffle, so that even on this CD there are a number can be retrieved. Thus begins the CD strong with "Million tears" where striking what a strong voice this man has, and the slide guitar licks of Glenn Pavone help immediately if this is a song that sets the tone for the rest of this bluesy rock. What the funky rhythm of most songs make me together with the voice of Mark regularly reminded of the music of the Cate Brothers, with whom he also once worked. The slow "Three Times Your Fool" and especially "You Go Your Way", both songs full of vocal fireworks by Mark, that the soul of his voice stress level. Pure blues we get in "Bow legged Woman," and in the valve and the only cover on this CD: "I Want A Woman" an Eddie Hinton composition, a song which of course is tailor-made for that wonderful voice of him. Not to tell Jimmy, but Mark Stutso would soon have his own way to walk, he has in any case in itself.
(RON)

you ain't no side-man...YOU'RE MARK-FUCKING-STUTSO!!!

a pleasure for me, too.

all the best,
Michael Right
Program Director/KXRA-FM
Host/"Nothin' But The Blues" Alexandria, MN

Got the CD yesterday. It’s in my car now. Very nice indeed. Had no idea you had pipes!!!

Please forgive the brevity. Just back from overseas and have a ton of catch up to do.

Pat Brown
Director of Sales and Marketing
Pro-Mark Corporation
11550 Old Main Street Loop Rd. * Houston, TX 77025 * 713-314-1100

Hey Mark;
Just got yer pack today; dropped it in and got rocked back in my chair. Strong, powerful material and vocals. Now, I am not a blues purist (you can read my rant about blues purists in the upcoming annual edition of the Blues Festival Guide: "Too Blue or Not Too Blue"). This does have nice a rock blues/r&b blues feel to it. Some of these tunes could be tweeked over to Country without much effort. In this crazy musical world ya need a product that will appeal to many different tastes; I think Rock My Soul is right on the money. I thoroughly enjoyed every note. I will proudly feature on an upcoming show. Great job! -John

I have no idea what you need to make excuses for, it sounds great. YOu're really singing your ass off, great to hear...serious vocal chops on 3 Times...gives me chills. And where did that falsetto come from? You've been holding out on us!

Congratulations on a GREAT solo record!!
JC Jimmy Carpenter

While visiting family in Ohio last July, I happened on a small club in the eastern part of the Buckeye State called ‘Bud and Tooties’ located in New Philadelphia, Ohio. So Friday night I rounded up a few friends and headed south to see Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers. The rhythm section consists of two of the best. Mark Stutso on drums has played with Thackery since the inception of The Drivers. Some thirteen CD’s later he still delivers the pulsating percussion and backbeat that cements the band, as well as contributing great vocals on many of the numbers.

To support his newest project, Thackery's ready to do the road time. "I started thinking that I missed the days when I was just a full blown, kick ass trio. I thought it would be fun to go back to that. I did keep Mark Stutso, my drummer of 15 years. He knows what direction I'm going in before I do." From Jimmy Thackery bio

February 25 - 2005
Wilberts: (Norman & The Guys opening up for Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers!!!) New club Downtown Cleveland across from "The Jake" (Jacob's Field)
9 p.m. - 1 p.m. - Fri.
Full house, love that! Norman said he was excited to be opening for blues legend Jimmy Thackery. He said he talked to Thackery and said he was gonna kick everybody's ass. "Boilermaker" started the festivities off on the right note. A powerful version of "Rock N' Roll City" followed. "Mr. Right Now" put a smile on everybody's face as did "Who Dat, Do Dat". A rockin' version of "End Of The Line" shook the house. Norman then called longtime Thackery drummer, Mark Stutso to the stage. The lazy bar room shuffle, "Down To MY Last Million Tears" gave Stutso room to soul shout. "Victoria's Secret" flat out rocked the house. Then Stutso crooned the Otis Redding sounding tune "You Go Your Way". Hey! This guy Mark Stutso sings his ass off! An old classic cover song "Work Together" kept things rollin'. Stutso then crooned the ballad "Three Times Your Fool" and left no doubt that soul music is alive and well. The set closed out with Norman, Whitey & Harry singing background vocals to straight up rocker "Heartbreak Shake". Very cool gig tonight and a great way to open a Jimmy Thackery show!

Moondog's: Norman opening the show featuring a guest appearance from Mark Stutso singing. Then the World Class guitar legend Jimmy Thackery band will come on with Mark Stutso doing his day job with the band on drums. 378 Freeport Rd, Blawnox, PA (412) 828-2040
10:00 p.m. - 2 a.m. - Fri.
Before the show, Norman was overheard backstage saying that playing with guitar legend Jimmy Thackery was kind of intimidating. You couldn't tell. From the moment Norman and his guys took the stage they were in charge. The opener "Boilermaker" got a great response. Thanks to Glenn Pavone for recording the song and been playing it in the clubs for so many years. Best wishes to Glenn who hasn't been feeling well. Norman calls him "The Big Cheese" out of respect. Second tune "Mr. Right Now" just felt so appropriate. "Who Dat Do Dat" kicked everybody's ass as did a crushin version of "This Ain't Gettin It". At this point, Norman brought out longtime Jimmy Thackery drummer Mark Stutso to take over on vocals, who then proceeded to sing 6 Norman tunes in a row. Six! Count em. Could there be an album in the works? Stutso gave "Heartbreak shake" a shake, then got down on new tune, a belly rubber, "Down to My Last Million Tears". Norman that said, "we want to play a song about romance and delight"...the Latin rhythm of "Are You Feelin Me" really was romantic. Then my favorite song of Stutso's performance "You Go Your Way" oozed a great soulful feel. "Let's Burn Breakfast" had this real swampy thing goin on. "Three Times Your Fool" really seemed to please the audience as it had audience members applauding and hooting when Stutso was doin his soul shoutin. Powerful, Powerful performance! Stutso then called up Thackery bandmate Sax man "Jimmy Carpenter" who really sounded smooth on the old classic "T-Bone Shuffle". The set closed with another old classic "Work Together". Yeah, it was a great set. Ya should have been there and watched the guys work together. It was a sight to behold. As soon as the set was over, Mark Stutso and Jimmy Carpenter got ready to do their real jobs playing with guitar hero Jimmy Thackery. Three hours of some serious house rockin blues later. Everybody went home fulfilled. I love a happy beginning and ending. Between sets, club owner Ron "Moondog" Esser brought up a birthday cake to celebrate Norman's birthday. Moondog said "now I know why Norman's ole lady refuses to be seen with him in public". Earlier in the week, when Moondog & Norman were visiting Glenn in the hospital, Norman was just being his usual crazy self and told the nurses to take special care of that room because the big cheese was in there and also told the nurses that he didn't need the priest to show up because he'd already blessed it in the name of the church of rock n roll. Sheesh!
Notables in attendance: Mark the vet, Jill West and Posse, Grant, Bruce, Carol, Gil & Sue, plus a house full of good rockin folks

Mark Stutso on drums for as long as I can remember, just a thrill a minute on the skins, and his vocals are at the top of the list. He can belt out the ballads and the rockers as good as anyone on tour today. I think he probably surprises his audiences the first time they see him and they just can't wait to hear him again. From West Virginia, he talks like a southern boy but sings like a soul man from the deepest part of the inner city. John Catt,---Promoter & Founding member of the Grand County Blues Society, Winter Park, CO

On a nite filled with the blues over 10 yrs ago I heard Mark sing "Thats How I Feel" after the set I told him that was one of the great performances I could remember hearing, that song that nite still stands as tall now as it did then, I will admit it Im a Thackery and the Drivers groupie and I know that if I go to a show or have them to Smokin Moes I will get to hear Mark do two things, sing the blues like only a few men out there can, yes I put him in with anyone singin, and when it comes to the kit, there aint no one with his power and touch, he reminds me of the great drummers of the 60s three pieces and all power trios that might be in that class, I would venture to say that no one who has seen him perform has missed his talent, I dont even have to contemplate who my favorite drummer in the business is. The mountain man from WV sits taller than them all. John Catt Smokin Moes and the Grand County Blues Society www.grandblues.org.

It wouldn’t be a Thackery and The Drivers album without a tune featuring the vocals of one of the hardest hitting drummers known to blueskind in the form of Mark Stutso, punching out his usual high energy, passionate vocals on “Putting Out Fires,” a slightly pessimistic story of a man looking for the blues when there are none to be found. It is nonetheless a catchy fun tune.--------Steve Hinrichsen, Blues Bytes, Aug. 2003 L.A., CA

Mark Stutso on drums playing like the great blues drummer he is, while singing in his strong, rich, husky blues voice that matched the power of the quartet's playing. By Rich Benson, Famous Dave's, MNPLS, MN 2003

Buffalo News/Monday, June 10, 2002. "Drummer Mark Stutso's vocals
on the ballad "That's How I Feel" and the hard rock "Drive to Survive,"
which ended the 77 minute first set, were versatile and impressive"
- Jim Santella
WBFO radio)

Hey Mark,
I assume yer offa' the road, fer now, anyhow. Just wanted to send you a note
to say we mucho enjoyed havin' ya'll here in T-Town (Suki's) again. And to
remind you (& I don't mind sayin' this, again) that you are just about THE MOST
Kick-Ass Drummer I have ever heard in my long lifetime, & I've heard em' all
no that's bullshit ya' know, but I have heard a mess of em.' That's not to
mention your singin,' which I b'lieve I've told you privately before that many
people prefer to Jimmy's.
Anyhow, the best part (for me) is just sittin' in my truck & BS'n; you're
sure as heck a man o' my own heart - "We shop at the same store."
Appreciate Ya' as the good ol' boy you are, & for bein' 1 great musician!

Tom (Pete) Petersen
p.s. I hope Jimmy appreciates ya' cuz we sure do

"Mark Stutso...just hearing the name brings a smile to my face! This guy
is truly a triple threat delivering great drums, soulful vocals, and gut busting humor!

"Mark Stutso is one of the finest drummers on the music scene. Solid and
steady as a rock with a hell of a voice to boot. I always welcome the
oppourtunity to play with him." Deborah Coleman.

Returning for his sixth go round with Thackery is the steady pounding drum and vocal talents of Mark Stutso. Mark's powerfully expressive vocals were sorely missed on the band's last release Switching Gears, and return here on the hard rocking tribute to America's auto industry, "Detroit Iron." Two numbers that would have benefitted from Stutso's vocal prowess are "Bad News" and "Lovin My Money." Both are pleasant enough tunes, but are custom made for Stutso's higher-toned crying delivery.------- Steve Hinrichsen

Dangerous Highway” finds the voice of one of the most underrated drummers in the blues, Mark Stutso, crooning the tale of a man’s longing search for that “one” and the troubles that can be encountered doing so. ----Steve Hinrichsen

Mark Stutso hits those skins like there's no tomorrow. A drummer not to be
missed. And he can sing too!------- Bob Ancheta KINK FM 102-Portland, Oregon, Host of The Sunday Night Blues Show.

" Mark Stutso is one of those determined artists who never let you down. Always on time and in the pocket. A truly great drummer able to keep the band tight and focused. Always a pleasure to hear and watch. While at Warner Brothers, I enjoyed his Thackery shows more than any other tours I covered. "
Danny Davenport
Former Promotion Director @ Warner Brothers Records
Now / Owner - Firstake Enterprises

Mark Stutso proved once again that he is not only an astute drummer but also a truly gifted, "nacherl-born" singer. What a voice! I'd love to hear more of it.

A Pounding Arrival, (01/28/09)

BluesWax Rating: 9 out of 10