Mark LeVine is an opportunist, taking advantage of this year 1968, discographically blank for his mentor Bob Dylan, to follow in his footsteps. "Pilgrims progress" could have been a logical continuation of the masterpiece "John Wesley Harding" - 1967 as Dylan's shadow haunts these 12 compositions.
The album's title appears to be a nod to John Bunyan's Christian short story and allegory "The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come" - 1678-1684. But here there is no question of virtue and puritanism: Mark Levine, draped in the trappings of the cursed poet, makes explicit reference to drugs and sex.
Among the studio musicians are a certain Ry Cooder, who no longer needs to be introduced, and the trio Jerry Scheff, Ben Benay and Toxey French, noted for having shared a few recording sessions with Curt Boettcher and publishing a obscure album under the name Goldenrod.
It's made with exactly the same features as Gentle Soul, and while that one has a soft rock or flowery feel, this one does away with excessive decoration, and has a finish that looks ahead to the singer-songwriter works of the 70s. It has become. Produced by Mike Deasy
Tracks
1. Going To The Country - 4:21
2. Twenty-One Years Older Than Yesterday - 3:44
3. Dr. Grossman - 2:25
4. Purple Dreams Are Creepy - 3:22
5. The Love Song - 3:02
6. Richard Lee - 7:19
7. Miller's Crossing - 2:53
8. Texas Style - 6:37
9. Sure I Can Write - 4:53
10.Better Dad Than Dead - 5:19
11.Nothing More Is Nothing Less - 4:06
12.Periwinkle Blue - 2:27
Words and Music by Mark LeVine
Personnel
*Mark Levine - Vocals, Rythm Guitar
*Ry Cooder - Acoustic Lead Guitar, Acoustic, Electric Bottleneck Guitar, Mandolin
*Michael Deasy - Acoustic, Electric Lead Guitar
*Joe Osborn - Bass
*Jerry Scheff - Bass
*Toxey French - Drums
*Paul Humphrey - Drums
*Larry Knechtel - Piano