Mark Mulligan | CD Reviews

Being a long time junkie of "First World Refugee" (I love every song on that freakin' album!), I really had hopes that "A Bar Down In Mexico" would take me to the same place........well, it did and then some! When I received the CD in the mail, I turned off my cell phone, cracked a beer, and "high-fived" my wife knowing that we were in for an evening of relaxation and tropical visions that we could relate to. The lyrics that you've written are inspiring to me, both as a musician and a human being. Pure Genius. You're voice sounds better than it ever has, and it's obvious to me that you've tapped into what every man dreams of. Not only singing it, but living it. The fact that you can write songs like these (effortless, no doubt) gives hope to all of us "north of the border" who dream of a better life. I must say, "It's About Time" is the single reason that I left work an hour early today and picked up my daughter (we sang all the way home)........it was worth every second. It seems that every weekend, as I'm jamming your CD, I get that euphoric feeling that eventually, I will kick life's ass.......have the simple pleasures.........do what I want to do.

I remember you gigging at Margaritavilla in Penasco, you letting me play a few Buffett songs during your break @ Balboa's or that one horse town in Arizona, and knowing that you truly love what you do.

Thank you my friend. -Jason "Remittance Man" Putman, Las Vegas NV

My favorite is still ‘It’s About Time’. After listening to it many times I made a few changes in my life. No more traveling to places I don’t need to be and more time with family and friends. I have also gone 30 days without a drink for the first time in several years. One morning I woke up and realized I didn’t like the person looking back at me in the mirror. It’s about time for a change I thought Paul, GA

Mark, My CD changer broke about 2 weeks ago,( with your disc in it! ) and I hadn't got to listen to it until today, and may I say that this is your best effort yet! I was trying to do some paperwork, but couldn't concentrate because of your lyrics! Immediately popped open a Corona, sliced a lime, and pretended that I was in San Carlos instead of frosty Arkansas (32 degrees). I'm looking forward to spending some time on the lake this summer, with your new disc in the player. Thanks for the great effort, and your voice really does sound better than ever. I especially enjoyed the Mexico sounding brass section on the disc. I better get back to that Corona!

Take care, Larry, (Arkansas)

Hey Mark I got the CD a couple days ago and I am absolutely speechless at how good it turned out. I can't stop listening to it, it has such a perfect mix of party beach songs and beautiful ballads. Your voice also sounds the best that it ever has, it's just unbelievable. My kids like it also, we we're dancing to the title song just last night and then they asked to hear it again on the way to school this morning, so you even beat out The Disney Channel which is what they are hooked on. I was sitting on the porch when I heard It's About Time for the first time and I have to admit I cried like a little girl, thinking about all you have gone through this past year and then realizing that I take my family for granted sometimes, it just really hit me in the stomach, but in a good way. All ten songs on it are great! You know sometimes you look forward to a new CD so much and then it kind of disappoints you, I was afraid that was going to be the case with this, but it is the exact opposite. I hope your boys are doing good, and your life is moving along the way God has planned it. Again, great job on the CD, it's the best 10 songs I have heard on one CD before and I'm not exagerating.

Brian, Missouri

LOVED the new cd brother. You're so good it's scary. Here are my fav tracks:

A Bar... GREAT KICKER! Put me in the mood immediately! I have that bar dream too…mine is in the South Pac…yours is in Mexico. You’ll have to come visit mine someday J

It's About Time Phew! For dads everywhere...

Third World - when I heard the line "Bartender, what did you do to this crowd?!" - I howled out loudly!! LOL!~

Last Night I Dreamed - a beauty. We've all had this experience.

If I Saw You Tonight - Again a song about ex'es that I can relate to.

Jesus Love You - BRILLIANT! :)

Mellow - Decompresses, the boat sails back to the dock. Nice closer. Human Numan, Sirius Radio

I have a meeting with the boys teachers....
>They want to know why they are singing about buying a bar down in Mexico.
>Every morning on the way to school Abby HAS to play that song for them. Then I
>get home and Brian is singing...and all I gots this lousy shirt! I know later
>in life who one of their musical influences will be. Dennis, Gilbert AZ

We have listened to your CD a couple of times already. We both love the "Jesus Loves Me" song. This new album seems like a more mature effort on your part, but isn't that as it should be. Although your songs are Mexico/freedom/centric, they also seem to have more depth and universality than some of your earlier songs. Of course, maybe that is just my ears listening with a different perspective. Your backup musicians have also add a richer dimension to this new collection of songs. All in all we are very impressed with the CD and your style as a troubadour. Your poems are meaningful and your melodies pleasant to listen to. What more could one ask? Vaughn, Tucson AZ

Below are reviews of Mulligan's IslandFest 2006, held in October in San Carlos (If you attended the event, send in your comments and we'll post 'em too!) And at the bottom of the page is a review of the "Journey Around The Sun CD...thanks Mark McGuffin!

REVIEWS (Shows, CDs, etc.)