Album Notes

You can sample some of these songs recorded live and posted to Mark's You Tube channel by following this link: http://www.youtube.com/user/Maysey1, please take some time to watch some of his other video's as well.

In this big ol' world that we live in, we've all come across our fair share of good times and bad. Things happen that make us rejoice one minute, mourn another. It's all part of that big game called life. Whenever life throws us that unexpected curveball, regardless of what it is, we all turn to something to vent our frustrations, fears, worries, and cares. It's what makes us human.

Mark's songs on this CD are a compilation of how he's sorted-out the cards life has dealt him throughout his life. From working along with veterans while serving in the Air Force, to putting up with the same stress and burdens that we all face daily, to coping with anger and frustration after his step-mother was brutally murdered, Mark has dealt with more than his fair share of pain and sorrow. The way he's dealt with them is by picking up his guitar and writing a tune, and as the title track tells you, at this point in his life he's doin' it as best as he can.

The song titled "This is My Rifle" is dedicated to Mark's Uncle Sonny, who proudly served in the military. His only regret is not having the opportunity to have spent more time with him. The song is a powerful ballad about what veterans endured physically and mentally, the haunting nightmares and endless flashbacks, that some carried all the way to their graves.

So kick off your shoes, settle back with whatever you do to relax with, snuggle up with the one you love, turn up the volume on the CD player and wander around in this world of Mark's. He's a fellow traveler in this journey we all call life, and a simple human with a simple message- it's better to be a human than just being.

Some of these songs may make you happy, others may make you sad, and all of them collectively may make you see yourself and identify with. But one thing these sweet tunes will surely do for you is make you feel.

After all, that's what makes us human. Samuel Young, Retired Vietnam Navy Veteran.

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Reviewer: Bill McDonald / President of the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). http://www.militarywriters.com/ He is author of a best selling book titled “A Spiritual Warrior's Journey”: The Inspiring Life story of a Mystical Warrior
Available through Amazon.com Barnes and Noble Borders.com Tattered Cover Book Store BestBookbuys 1stBooks Buy.com BooksAmillion.com - OR – you can order directly from his website and receive a personally autographed copy. I have personally read his book and believe me it kept me snuggled up and reading all day long –I sincerely couldn’t put it down!! His website is http://www.lzangel.com/WarBook.htm

Thanks Bill for Your Wonderful Review!!!


Ballads for the Soul - By Bill McDOnald

As soon as you begin listening to the first track from the CD “At This Point in My Life” by Mark Maysey, you get hooked; these emotionally soulful ballads will gently get absorbed into your mind and heart. The words are pure poetry and paint a picture for us of a man who has traveled down a few hard roads to get to where he is at now in his life. Riveting in a good way, the music is relaxing and inspiring; the kind of music that will take you to the back roads of your own mind.

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire CD but there were a couple of his songs that I liked best for different reasons. One brought back memories of basic training and my “tour of duty” in Vietnam. It is called “This is My Rifle” which resonates with that dark humor of war and life in the military where both good and bad memories are buried. It will make you smile but also makes you realize the serious nature of the song as well. This song is being received very well by those listening to K-Dade web radio (600,000 listeners world wide now on the internet!) and is already thought of as a classic.

The title song “At This Point in My Life” is very well done. It is a strong statement but with a soft and gentle approach that uses the words and the music together to covey the feelings of not just the singer but also the listener. Maysey’s guitar work throughout this song and the rest of the CD are by themselves good enough but when accompanied with his intelligent lyrics – the combination is powerful and makes a huge emotional statement.

Mark has lived a life of joys and sorrows and his music shares that with us. His recordings are the sounds of the common man caught up in life’s journey trying to find meaning to it all. It is a moving and respectful look within our own selves through music. Listening will be easy – turning off his music and walking away when the CD is finished will be hard. It is good enough that one feels the need to listen to it several times in a row. The first time I played it just to feel the whole mood of the album; the next times I listened so I could dive deeper within the words and daydream myself back to my own memories.

This CD is given the MWSA’s Top Music Rating of Five Stars! It must be heard to fully appreciate it.

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After listening to Mark’s music, I believe he rivals many of today’s popular and gifted musicians. His music will definitely take you on a subtle and relaxed journey of past and present reflections, those simple moments and pleasures so often silenced and shadowed by our never ending and exhaustive struggles just to stay afloat in this ever changing and demanding world in which we live. His music will smooth over most of your day-to-day trials and tribulations, while his lyrics will have a very calming and nourishing affect on your inner child and it’s need for spiritual growth. Many of his songs offer a subtlety in its progressions and lyrics that keeps you listening and wanting to hear more.

Atira,
Violin Teacher