Perhaps best known as lead singer/guitarist with sonic trailblazers Grand Funk Railroad, Mark Farner has also had a successful solo career, alongside notable collaborations (Ringo Starr’s Allstars). The constant throughout a multifaceted vocation has always been a strong focus on melody and song structure, and his musical palette has coloured our world for over half a century. The late ‘80s found him at a pinnacle, of sorts, and a definite highlight was an energetic set at the Woodstock Revival festival. Thanks to those cool cats at Liberation Hall that set gets its first official release, and as Rock ‘N’ Roll Soul: 1989 proves, it was certainly worth the wait and your only quandary will be whether to pick up the DVD, CD, download or vinyl version.

Held to commemorate two decades since the original peace and love festival, Woodstock: 20 Years After assembled an impressive array of acts that included Canned Heat, Humble Pie, Iron Butterfly and Blood Sweat and Tears. However, it was Mark Farner (and band) who were afforded the optimum position on the bill, and as the sun began to sink and turn the Californian sky a violet bruise colour, it made the perfect frame for Mark’s set. ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Soul’ was the opening shot and in the annuls of rock and roll there’s never been truer words spoken. Woe betide those not paying attention because Mark Farner hits the stage as if a musical tornado and with an impressive mullet (it was 1989, after all) bounces around the stage like Bruce Springsteen on meth. Yet, the rest of the band refuse to be overshadowed with bassist Lawrence Buckner and drummer Mike Maple providing a dextrerous beat along with keyboardist Mike Blair and second lead guitarist Arnie Vilches adding their magic atop. With each band member providing backing vocals (and with Mark flitting between guitar and keys) a warm, lustrous (though uncluttered) sound is created that ensures the band seem far bigger than their constituent parts, and when you are performing outdoors with the wind blowing the sound around, it’s the only way to go.

The 15-song set list includes nine stone-cold classic Grand Funk Railroad tracks (all of which comprise the nine-track vinyl, while other formats contain the full show), yet in whatever guise the band appear, they always hit the highs in terms of energy and entertainment. It’s a set that flows exceptionally well with ‘Airborne Ranger’ going in for the kill before ‘Judgement Day Blues’ takes its foot of the pedal to get mean and moody. Perfectly melding rock and roll to gospel, there’s something so very spiritual and uplifting about ‘Come To Jesus’, it has the ability to elevate your soul in the way that only good music can. It’s testament to Mark’s solo career that songs from this era nestle nicely next to the Grand Funk Railroad classics, and knowing what songs such as ‘I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home)’ and ‘Heartbreaker’ mean to the fans, they’re performed with the respect they deserve. However, the overarching feeling to this set is one of celebration, and that becomes most apparent on a cover of the Goffin/King penned ‘The Loco-Motion’ to close the disc and, in the true spirit of the original Woodstock festival, certainly gets the good vibes flowing.

With Christmas fast approaching you might be looking for stocking fillers, so now is the time to give the gift of Mark Farner.

Rock ‘N’ Roll Soul: Live 1989 is released via Liberation Hall and is available now (from here).

Track List:

1. Are You Ready
2. Rock ‘N’ Roll Soul
3. Footstompin’ Music
4. Airborne Ranger *
5. Judgement Day Blues *
6. Some Kind Of Wonderful
7. Paranoid *
8. Come To Jesus *
9. Mean Mistreater
10. Must Have Been Love *
11. Bad Time
12. I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home)
13. Heartbreaker
14. Isn’t It Amazing *
15. The Loco-Motion

* Also appears on CD, DVD and download, but not on vinyl version.