Marvin Etzioni

Last updated

Marvin Etzioni
The Best Holiday Show Ever 12 16 2015 -17 (23643547240).jpg
Background information
Birth nameMarvin Elan Etzioni
Born Brooklyn, New York
Genres Rock music, alt-country
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Vocals, mandolin, mandocello, guitar, bass, piano, Mellotron, keyboards
Years active1976–present
Website www.marvincountry.com

Marvin Elan Etzioni is an American singer, mandolinist, bassist, and record producer. Also known as the Mandolin Man, Etzioni is best known as a founder of, and bassist for, the band Lone Justice. He is a noted record producer and has released three solo albums. [1]

Contents

Biography

Early years

Etzioni grew up in Brooklyn, then moved to Los Angeles. His grandfather sparked an early interest in country music by compiling mix tapes, and gifting Etzioni a mandolin at age eight. [2] In high school, Etzioni sang and played drums in the band Prudence Goodbody. [3] [4]

In 1976, Etzioni led the band Model, who shared stages with the Plimsouls and the Motels. Model recorded with producers Chuck Plotkin and Richard Baskin, but nothing was officially released. [5] Then in 1980 Etzioni began performed solo acoustic gigs in Los Angeles. [6]

Lone Justice

In 1982, Etzioni met Ryan Hedgecock, who shared his love for country and roots music. Hedgecock was already performing with Maria McKee. Hedgecock and McKee asked Etzioni to back them on bass duties, along with drummer Don Heffington and the band Lone Justice was launched. [7]

Etzioni was a member of Lone Justice from 1983 to 1986, during which he encouraged them to write original material, and contributed the songs "East of Eden," "Working Late," "You Are the Light," and "Soap, Soup and Salvation" (written with McKee). [8]

In 1993, Etzioni and Heffington backed McKee on her solo album You Gotta Sin to Get Saved , and were part of her band in the subsequent tour. [9]

Production and songwriting

Etzioni has produced for numerous artists, including Peter Case, [10] Counting Crows, [5] and Toad the Wet Sprocket. [11] Etzioni's compositions have been covered by Cheap Trick, Victoria Williams, Julie Miller and Judy Collins. Etzioni produced and wrote songs with the Williams Brothers (Andy Williams' nephews Andrew and David). Together with David Williams, Etzioni co-wrote "Can't Cry Hard Enough" which became his most successful song. [3]

Solo recordings

In the 1990s, Etzioni recorded and released three albums: The Mandolin Man (1991), Bone (1992) and Weapons of the Spirit (1994). [12] [13] Etzioni employs the analog-vinyl-digital (AVD) technique, in which his master tapes are converted first to vinyl, and the vinyl is recorded to digital for the final product. [11]

In 2012, Etzioni released the 2-disc album Marvin Country on Nine Mile Records. On the album, which had been in development since 1985, Etzioni played mandolin, mandocello, guitar, bass, piano, Mellotron, porchboard and keyboards. Included are duets with Lucinda Williams ("Lay It on the Table"), [14] Steve Earle ("Ain't No Work in Mississippi"), Richard Thompson ("It Don't Cost Much"), Buddy Miller ("Living Like a Hobo"), John Doe ("The Grapes of Wrath")., [15] Maria McKee ("You Possess Me"), and the Dixie Hummingbirds ("You Are the Light"). [16] For most songs, the backing band was Heffington (drums), Steve Fishell (pedal steel), Gurf Morlix (bass), Tammy Rogers (fiddle), and Buddy Miller and Duane Jarvis (guitar). [17]

Sin City All Stars

Etzioni was part of the Sin City All Stars which was a one-off band for a 2004 Gram Parsons tribute concert that was captured and released on both CD and DVD. [18]

Thee Holy Brothers

Long-time friends Etzioni and Willie Aron (of the band Balancing Act) collaborated as Thee Holy Brothers, and released the album My Name Is Sparkle on the Peermusic label. Their band name was provided by their rabbi. Nine songs are presented in two acts, addressing the topic of spiritual grace. Thematically, the album has been likened to George Harrison's All Things Must Pass and Pete Townshend's Who Came First . [7]

Discography

Solo albums

With Lone Justice

With Thee Holy Brothers

With The Sin City All Stars

As composer

As producer

Other appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Case</span> American singer-songwriter

Peter Case is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His career is wide-ranging, from rock n' roll and blues, to folk rock and solo acoustic performance.

Lone Justice is an American country rock band formed in 1982 by guitarist Ryan Hedgecock and singer Maria McKee in Los Angeles. The band released two albums, Lone Justice in 1985 and Shelter the following year, before disbanding in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria McKee</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1964)

Maria Luisa McKee is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for her work with Lone Justice, her 1990 song "Show Me Heaven", and her song "If Love Is a Red Dress " from the film Pulp Fiction.

<i>You Gotta Sin to Get Saved</i> 1993 studio album by Maria McKee

You Gotta Sin to Get Saved is the second album by the American singer-songwriter Maria McKee, released in 1993. The album includes two Van Morrison covers and a take on Goffin/King's "I Can't Make It Alone". The first single was "I'm Gonna Soothe You", which peaked at No. 35 on the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Lone Justice</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Lone Justice

Lone Justice is the debut studio album by American roots rock band Lone Justice, released in April 1985.

<i>Iron Flowers</i> (Grey DeLisle album) 2005 studio album by Grey DeLisle

Iron Flowers is an album released by country/folk artist and voice actress Grey DeLisle; her fourth release. It comes in an Enhanced CD format, which includes "Analog Journey into Iron Flowers". This enhanced content includes interviews with DeLisle detailing the album's tracks and the recording of them.

<i>Two Graduated Jiggers</i> 2000 studio album by Jon Wayne

Two Graduated Jiggers is the second album by Jon Wayne. It was released in 2000 via Waco's Goats.

This article is a discography for American singer Maria McKee. For releases as part of Lone Justice, see Lone Justice § Discography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Cry Hard Enough</span> 1992 single by The Williams Brothers

"Can't Cry Hard Enough" is a song written by David Williams and Marvin Etzioni. Williams originally recorded a version titled "I Can't Cry Hard Enough" with Victoria Williams for the latter's 1990 album Swing the Statue!. The following year, the version by both David and Andrew Williams as the Williams Brothers was released as a single. It peaked at number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1992. It also spent two weeks at number 29 on the Cash Box chart.

<i>Peter Case</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Peter Case

Peter Case was the debut album by American power pop singer-songwriter Peter Case, released in 1986 on Geffen Records. Omnivore Records reissued it with additional tracks in September 2016.

<i>Sings Like Hell</i> 1993 studio album by Peter Case

Sings Like Hell is an album by American singer-songwriter Peter Case, released in 1993. In 1996 the album title gave rise to a monthly music series, Sings Like Hell, staged at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, California.

<i>This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes, 1983</i> 2014 compilation album by Lone Justice

This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes, 1983 is a compilation album by American band Lone Justice, released in January 2014 by Omnivore Recordings. The twelve songs include nine previously unissued tracks recorded at Suite 16 Studios, Los Angeles, in December 1983 by engineer David Vaught with direct to two-track tape and no overdubs. "Rattlesnake Mama", "Working Man's Blues" and "This World Is Not My Home" have previously been released on the 1999 compilation album This World Is Not My Home.

Jonah Tolchin is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and New Jersey native. He performed at the Newport Folk Festival in 2012. Tolchin released his first full-length album, Criminal Man, independently in 2012. He is currently signed to Yep Roc Records through which he has released two albums.

Amy Allison is an American country music artist and the daughter of jazz-blues musician Mose Allison. She became interested in country music as a kid growing up on Long Island, and first began making music as the lead singer of Amy Allison and the Maudlins. She then joined Ryan Hedgecock to form the country duo Parlor James in 1994, before embarking on a solo career in 1996.

Don Heffington was an American drummer, percussionist, and songwriter. He was a founding member of the Los Angeles alternative country band Lone Justice, which he performed with from 1982 to 1985. Heffington was also a member of the bluegrass band Watkins Family Hour, recorded three solo albums, and was a session and touring musician for various artists, including Lowell George, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Victoria Williams, the Wallflowers, the Jayhawks, and Joanna Newsom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Gonna Soothe You</span> 1993 single by Maria McKee

"I'm Gonna Soothe You" is a song by American singer-songwriter Maria McKee, released in May 1993 by Geffen Records as the lead single from her second studio album, You Gotta Sin to Get Saved (1993). The song was written by McKee, Marvin Etzioni and Bruce Brody, and produced by George Drakoulias. It reached No. 35 in the UK and remained on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks. The accompanying music video was directed by English film, documentary and music video director Julien Temple. It achieved play on Power Play Music Video Television and VH1.

<i>This World Is Not My Home</i> (Lone Justice album) 1999 compilation album by Lone Justice

This World Is Not My Home is a compilation album by American country rock band Lone Justice, released in January 1999 by Geffen. It contains tracks from their two studio albums, Lone Justice and Shelter, as well as several early demos and outtakes, including nine previously unreleased tracks.

<i>Live at the Palomino, 1983</i> 2019 live album by Lone Justice

Live at the Palomino, 1983 is a live album by American country rock band Lone Justice, released in 2019 by Omnivore Recordings. It was recorded in October 1983 at the Palomino Club in Los Angeles by an early Lone Justice lineup consisting of Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Marvin Etzioni and Don Willens. The live album features songs from their yet to be recorded debut album, 1985's Lone Justice, coupled with classic country covers, and songs which, years later, have appeared in demo form on various compilation albums. The two-track live recording was discovered more than 30 years later by Hedgecock and issued with full cooperation from the band.

<i>The Western Tapes, 1983</i> 2018 EP by Lone Justice

The Western Tapes, 1983 is an EP by American country rock band Lone Justice, released on 23 November 2018 by Omnivore Recordings. It consists of demo recordings made in 1983 prior to their self-titled debut release in 1985 and was recorded by the original Lone Justice lineup consisting of Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Dave Harrington and Don Willens. All tracks are previously unissued, except "Drugstore Cowboy" which was included on the compilation album This World Is Not My Home in 1999. David Mansfield, who has toured with Bob Dylan and later became a member of Bruce Hornsby and the Range, guests on pedal steel guitar and fiddle.

<i>This Moment: In Toronto with the Loose Band</i> 1995 live album by Victoria Williams

This Moment: In Toronto with the Loose Band is a 1995 live album by American singer-songwriter Victoria Williams. It has received positive reviews from critics.

References

  1. Martin Chilton (May 2, 2012). "Marvin Etzioni, Marvin Country! CD review". The Telegraph. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  2. "Marvin Country - Interview: Mark Etzioni". Citizen LA. June 1, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Marvin Etzioni: "Marvin Country" (Nine Mile Records)". Coachella Valley Weekly . June 11, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  4. "Marvin Etzioni". ArtistTrove. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  5. 1 2 Bryan Reesman (November 1, 1999). "Marvin Etzioni: Lost in the Moment". Mix Magazine. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  6. Dan MacIntosh (February 7, 2013). "Marvin Etzioni of Lone Justice". Songfacts. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Eleni P. Austin (November 2, 2016). "Thee Holy Brothers 'My Name Is Sparkle' (peermusic)". Coachella Valley Weekly . Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  8. Morris, Chris (July 1, 1985). "Justice at Last". Spin. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  9. Lance Davis (April 23, 2013). "Keeps Me Wonderin' What Might've Been". The Adios Lounge. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  10. Sullivan, Denise (2001). Rip it Up!: Rock & Roll Rulebreakers. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN   9780879306359 . Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  11. 1 2 Bill Locey (June 25, 1992). "Stringing Along : It's passionate, it's from the heart and it cuts to the bone. And he's closer to Jimi Hendrix than Bill Monroe". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  12. Randy Krbechek (September 7, 1994). "Interview with Marvin Etzioni". CD Shakedown. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  13. Appleford, Steve (April 5, 1992). "'Mandolin Man' Reflects Thoughts From the Heart of Ex-Lone Justice Rocker". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  14. Evan Schlansky (March 15, 2012). "Guest Blog & Song Premiere: Marvin Etzioni and Lucinda Williams, "Lay It On The Table"". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  15. Catherine Fuentes (April 5, 2012). "Song Exclusive: Marvin Etzioni's Spirited 'The Grapes Of Wrath' featuring John Doe". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  16. Holly Gleason (August 1, 2012). "Marvin Etzioni: Marvin Country". Lone Star Music. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  17. "Marvin Etzioni - Marvin Country". American Roots UK. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  18. Weiss, Neal (August 31, 2004). "Gram Parsons Tribute - Universal Amphitheatre (Universal City, CA)". No Depression. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  19. Himes, Geoffrey (May 17, 1992). "Team Players Breaking Out in Solo Debuts". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  20. Sandler, Adam (October 12, 1992). "Restless Etzioni breaks out 'Bone'". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  21. Verna, Paul; Marilyn A. Gillen; Peter Cronin (May 14, 1994). "Album Reviews". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  22. Paul Kerr (April 1, 2012). "Marvin Etzioni. Marvin Country!". Blabber 'n' Smoke. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  23. Zollo, Paul (May 31, 2017). "The Paul Zollo Blog: Reflections On New Albums From Peter Case, Athena, Thee Holy Brothers". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 1, 2017.