The Providence Phoenix   Local Anesthesia     A wealth of talent - Mark Renburke calls on the best for his new disc                       Released: 04.22.05     Source: Providence Phoenix     Author: Bob Gulla     Original source link                 ‘When I started this project last summer, it was all about the songs," says Mark Renburke of his self-titled debut. "I decided to record the ones I’d been playing live for the past few years and was pretty happy with composition-wise." But Renburke didn’t have a band together and he knew he didn’t want to do that Lenny Kravitz thing and lay down all the instruments by himself. "That kind of thing makes the production stale and lifeless," he says. "The CD was supposed to be mixed-genre, and to make each song the best I could I’d need to involve outside players." So Renburke did what someone in, say, Nashville or NYC would do - he reached out to some of the city’s best "session players." "That’s when I started to realize what a wealth of talent there was around here locally," he says, "and how certain songs would be better realized by getting that talent involved." Renburke had a few musicians in mind that he’d met over the past few years. Bob "Guido" Decurtis (tenor sax), singer-songwriter Dave Dill (guitar), and John Larson from the Marlowes (backing vocals) were all invited to contribute. "In some cases, I just got lucky and the sound engineer I was working with knew just the right person. Chuck Ladoucer at Red Dog Studio was really helpful with that, and I recorded and mixed about half the album with him." Chuck hooked Renburke up with drummer Shawn Leonard from Stefan Couture’s band and Dan Pepin, who did that "Cars meets Van Halen guitar lead on ‘Screwed Down.’ "Two duos I had a great time working with were Otis Read and Phil Edmonds and Atwater-Donnelly. My love of folk and Celtic music drew me to them, and they were so helpful and professional." Edmonds nailed his whistle track in just one take, and Aubrey and Elwood were recorded on location at their house in Foster. "I was thrilled that in both these cases the vision I had for the songs was beyond what I expected." Several members of Renburke’s live band also contributed to the disc, including some smooth fretless bass by Seth Forden, a splash of dobro from Barry Wenskowicz, and some solid drumming from Lon Gelade. One other moment of serendipity occurred. Near the end of the project, Renburke hit a wall with a bass part he recorded for "Screwed Down." The song, partially inspired by the band Material Issue, gave him an idea. "I thought why not try to get bassist Ted Ansani, the Material Issue bass player, to do it?" Can’t hurt to ask, right? "I met the guy about 12 years ago after one of his shows, but he didn’t know me from Adam," Mark explains. "When I got in touch with him, he was very cool about working with me, and did a fantastic bass part from his home studio [in Chicago], plus great vocal harmonies on that song and another. And so goes my brush with one of my rock idols! Every starving artist should be lucky enough to have that happen at least once in their life." Not everything fell into such a magical place, though. On a few occasions, after months of correspondence and arranging, Renburke had to scrap plans for targeted collaborations, which is one reason the project took as long as it did. "If things fell through I’d have to start over and look for a new player," he says. "I had to cut two songs from the project because I realized the concept wasn’t going to happen in time." After all is said and done, Renburke’s resulting album, a triumph of collaboration and communal musical resourcefulness, is stunning for its incredible array of styles, if not for its vast ambition. It covers everything from pop and rock to Celtic and contemporary folk. "At one point I realized I was dividing the album into two halves," he says, "one rock and pop half and one half that had a folk, Celtic, and roots feel. Then it hit me. Why not just make it a double EP?" Renburke has already received one bit of good news: the independent label Not Lame wants to carry his CD. Stefan Couture and the Campfire Orchestra and Dirty Hands (Pepin’s other band) will help Renburke celebrate his CD release on Saturday, April 23 at at 9:30 p.m. at the Century Lounge. Go to www.markrenburke.com for more details.Wandering Eye. Diane Blue and her band are at the Hi-Hat tonight (Thursday the 21st) from 8 p.m. to midnight. On Friday (the 22nd), Young Rust, a band specializing in high-energy renditions of songs by Mr. Neil Young, will take the stage at Cats. Also On Friday at the Rocky Point Pub, Train Of Thought and Sulfer play to what will likely be a wildly enthusiastic rocker crowd. Willie Myette’s immense jazz project Katahdin’s Edge plays the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River on Friday. Call (508) 324-1926. The return of the Fabulous Itchies looms on the horizon. They’ll be doing a special weekend of events with friends including Friday night at the Custom House Tavern, where the Wyld Card DJs spin with special guest DJs Josh Styles and DJ Peppermint Patty from NYC. Expect lots of ’60s garage, go-go, soul, and freakbeat. Then on Saturday (the 23rd), the Itchies return with a whole new show. The Stalkers will play their poundin’ NYC garage rock in the opening slot. Both events are free. Midnight Creeps will be back at the Green Room this Friday. The show will mark the area debut of their new drummer C.J. Creep and serves as a warm-up show for their European tour in May. The lineup also includes the Spitzz, Big World, and the Ghouls. Smokestack Lightnin’ is doing a show at the Call on Saturday. They’ll share the stage with the Howl, featuring Troy Gonyea, who recently left the Fabulous Thunderbirds to form this band. Check it out at www.churchof thehowl.com. Cirque Du Singe Brisé (Circus of the Shattered Monkey) returns to AS220 (115 Empire Street, Providence) on Sunday (the 24th) at 7 p.m. Esteemed Providence locals Allysen Callery, Mary Bue, and JJ Baron are on the bill, with instrumental avant-garde guitar work from Erik Wohlgemuth. This will be the last weekend show at AS220 before they close for renovations. The Circus will be held at Tazza starting on May 19 until AS220 reopens. 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Stone sings about the Station fire in "Eddie"     Local Anesthesia 12.06.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Grand evolution -- Erin McKeown’s songs get ‘bigger and better’     Local Anesthesia 11.28.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Howlin’ wolves -- Smokestack Lightnin’ brings down the house     Local Anesthesia 11.28.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The full Monty -- The Fan Club flirts with the big time     Local Anesthesia 11.21.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       One night only! -- Neutral Nation celebrate 20 years and a new disc     Local Anesthesia 11.14.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Wheat dreams -- Taunton-based crew goes Technicolor     Local Anesthesia 11.07.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The long haul -- Al Copley is in too deep, and likes it that way     Local Anesthesia 10.31.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Ace of clubs? -- Ultra arrives; the Electra Complex; and more     Local Anesthesia 10.17.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Seeking the truth -- Davies and Auchenbach conspire on a new disc     Rhode Island's most influential people in the Arts community 10.11.03 by Phoenix Staff (Providence Phoenix)       The Phoenix profiles Rhode Island's most influential people in the Arts community.     Local Anesthesia 10.10.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Blowin Smoke -- Greg Abate and Channel One tear it up again     Local Anesthesia 10.03.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Cosmic Psychos -- Sasquatch and the Sick-a-Billys get a groove on     Local Anesthesia 09.26.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Knight Moves -- Margie Wienk celebrates a haunting new disc     Local Anesthesia 09.19.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       April Fooled -- An Unsigned Band; plus, Pendragon turns 20     Local Anesthesia 09.12.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The 300 Shows -- Midnight Creeps celebrate a milestone     Local Anesthesia 09.05.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Floodstock -- The welcome return of Summerfest     Local Anesthesia 08.29.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Summer’s not over -- Rhythm & Roots tops a busy Labor Day weekend     Local Anesthesia 08.22.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Go, Cat, Go! -- Rockabilly picks up steam on the scene     Local Anesthesia 08.15.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Just for fun -- Cracking wise with Katie Lee Hooker     Local Anesthesia 08.08.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Have Mercy! The return of Mike Dinallo and company     Local Anesthesia 08.01.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Lotsa Hats, Big Shoes -- Eric Fontana Finally Gets His Disc Out     Local Anesthesia 07.18.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Straw Dogs -- The Haymakers' Why We Can’t Have Nice Things     Local Anesthesia 07.18.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Sound Defects -- Blues Bastard And Other Awesome Aberrations     Local Anesthesia 07.11.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Growing Painz -- Mastamindz Hatch Fiendish Plot     Local Anesthesia 07.04.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: The Best Goes On -- Music Pollapalooza comes to the Ocean Mist     Local Anesthesia 06.27.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Break out -- Letdown, Chinese Stars, Fuses rev it up     Local Anesthesia 06.13.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Answering the call -- The healing power of the Call for Action DVD     Local Anesthesia 06.06.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Newport news -- No Means Yes and the Philtres make headlines     Local Anesthesia 05.30.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Freakin’ out -- Mike Hamel and company head west     Local Anesthesia 05.23.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Demo derby -- Emery Vesch, Sibling Rivalry, and Flav Martin     Local Anesthesia 05.16.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Soundcheck -- Donnybrook, the Cringe, Illustrious Day, and more     Local Anesthesia 05.09.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Arabs off radar -- The avant act calls it quits; plus, an Invasion update     Local Anesthesia 05.02.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Healing sounds -- The Call’s energetic and heartfelt benefit CD     Local Anesthesia 04.18.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Musing again -- A winning Throwback, Benny Sizzler, and more     Local Anesthesia 02.27.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Hole in our soul -- The music community's devastating loss     Local Anesthesia 02.20.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week:     Local Anesthesia 02.13.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Wonderful world -- Cheryl Wheeler loves her job; plus, V for Vendetta     Local Anesthesia 02.07.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Story hour -- Dan Moretti and Once Through lay it down     Local Anesthesia 01.31.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Love you live -- Planet Groove lays it down at the Ocean Mist     Local Anesthesia 01.24.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Consolation prize -- Ricky Valente grows up     Local Anesthesia 01.17.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Whistle stop -- Otis Read, Phil Edmonds, and Friends     Local Anesthesia 01.10.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Lights, camera... Century Productions is where the action is     Local Anesthesia 01.03.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week:The big picture -- Best in show, pt. 2               Filed Under...   becky chace band (36) beyond blonde (183) black and white (12) CD Reviews (4) complaints (2) Crazed Rock Fan (3) Dirk Diggla (6) Decibel Magazine (12) ellis ashbrook (13) grandevolution (15) hawkins rise (102) Headlines (85) jazz bastards (4) J Hunter (1) frank martyn (24) mastamindz (27) owen mcgonigle (4) Misc. Items (2) Opinions (10) Pele (5) The Providence Phoenix (115) the radionics (9) RattleHead News (8) (2) rossoni (1) santa mamba (41) sasquatch and the sick-a-billys (121) sexcoffee (16) Satyr's Local Rock Report (23) Spock's Brain (3) terri g and the band (2) ultra plush (17) vulgarrity (2)             The Providence Phoenix is the God of local music in the area. Bob Gulla is an excellent music reporter, and they provide the only weekly local music coverage that is accessible to the masses.