MARK TWAIN'S DOG: Dog Tales

Mark Twain's Dog

Dog Tales

© 2005 by Mark Twain's Dog (639429913624)

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From the cynical "Radio Talk", to the sweet sentiment of "Kathleen's Waltz" and the simple, unabashed fun of "Mark Twain's Dog", "Dog Tales" is a listener/radio friendly collection of music ranging from folk to Americana to rockabilly to just plain fun.

notes

Mark Twain's Dog is an acoustic duo based in Kansas City that leans heavily towards modern folk and Americana. But this mutt ain't no purebred! Leave the back gate open and he'll dart out and wander the entire neighborhood, stopping to watch a car pass by with the radio on, then on to the harbor, for a little sea chantey. He'll scamper off for some rockabilly, then show his humorous side by pondering the question, "If Mark Twain had a dog, what would he look like?" Through an open screen door, he sees the kids gathered around the TV watching a cowboy yodeling. There's a couple of train tracks to cross, a visit with Mileva and then this dog heads back home to the classically influenced sound of angels.

Mark Twain's Dog is the songwriting team of Ken Zans and Gerry Monks.

Singer/songwriter Ken Zans started performing in Texas. While attending college in Austin, he played everywhere from coffeehouses at the local church to bars along "the drag," honing his writing skills and catching local artists Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker and Alan Ramsey at local clubs. "I've always liked songwriters who are poets as well," Ken says, "writers who can really turn a phrase."

Singer/songwriter Gerry Monks started performing in garage bands in high school in Kansas. He played guitar, bass and sang in various cover bands and was an award-winning jazz bassist in college. Like Ken, his solo performance experience began in church coffeehouses, while he learned the craft of songwriting by listening to everyone from the Beatles to James Taylor, Elton John, Peter Gabriel and everything in-between.

Ken's finger-picking guitar style is the perfect compliment to the big chords and melodic lead lines that Gerry provides. Add Ken's harmonica and Gerry's mandolin and you have the sound of "the Dog."

With a mellow, expressive voice, Ken Zans makes sense of what he has seen and felt, sprinkles it with a bit of humor, and lets us in on the joke. Gerry adds a cynical edge to the mix and with a "nudge, nudge, wink, wink" makes you wonder if the joke meant what you thought.

So grab a bag of Milk Bones, a tall glass of toilet water, curl up on your favorite rug, and have a listen.

reviews

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  • Totally Awesome!!!
    author: Robson

    This is probably the best CD I have purchased in the last few years!!!! Mark Twain's Dog is nice enough to be played during one of my dinner parties or when I am alone!!!! There has been nothing better since Angry Salad!!!

  • Authoritative Timeless Americana
    author: Richard Goldman

    Ken and Gerry have written and recorded some remarkable music here. These are new songs, yet they sound as though they've been around for quite some time. The influences are varied -- country, folk, rockabilly, rock, sea shanty, and the good old fashioned ballad. With wit, insight and emotion, Mark Twain's Dog have given us a CD of authentic, authoritative Americana. So stop reading, and buy the CD. Tell your friends. Remarkable old music from a young pup.

  • Very strong lyrics and music with a wide variety
    author: Bob Morgensen

    I really like the variety of songs and music on the CD. There is something for everybody on this fine collection of original material. Rockabilly Roll really swings, and the lyrics/story line in Einstein's Wife really moved me. The last song on the CD, Sixteen Spanish Angels, brought tears to my wife's eyes. Dog Tales is truly a breath of fresh air. Highly recommended.

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