“Markology released in 1978 was Mark O’Connor’s first guitar album. Markology II is his sequel, forty-two years later. ”
CD and Digital Available April 19th. Pre order from iTunes here!
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Read reviews of "Markology II"
Bluegrass Today: Mark O’Connor picks up his guitar again for Markology II
Review Quotes:
"The album should stand as a milestone and towering achievement in the genre."
-Minor 7th - Summer 2021
“To say that Mark O’Connor is a remarkable musician is an understatement…O’Connor can improvise ridiculously fast lines with ease while clearly articulating each note…While listeners can debate if this is a jazz album, they can’t argue that the guitar playing on Markology II is less than brilliant.”
-Downbeat Magazine – June issue, 2021
“There is probably a generation of fans who grew up between these two albums that don’t even realize O’Connor is every much the virtuoso on guitar as he is on violin….dedicated the project to the great Tony Rice, who played with him on the first album in 1978. Rice’s spirit hovers around the edges here, always present, always inspiring, but it’s definitely Mark O’Connor’s show, and it’s a thing of beauty.”
-No Depression 4/19/21
“Now, more than 40 years later, O’Connor has revisited the flatpicking album concept with today’s release of Markology II, a new set of guitar musings that display an even greater degree of technical dexterity, with a mature musician’s sense of arrangement, improvisation, and composition… insight into the mind of a genius.”
-Bluegrass Today 4/19/21
“O’Connor shows that he still has seriously amazing chops and influence even in the Workman/Tuttle/Strings world of modern flatpicking. He’s resurrected those skills, and it clearly shows this, like on ‘Flailing’ where one would swear he’d over overdubbed a low part. His pick control is incredible, along with his left-hand technique and range, especially since he had laid off guitar for decades. A must-own for all fans of great bluegrass flatpicking…This is a great player at the very top of his form.”
- Bluegrass Unlimited – May 2021
“Congratulations on all you have accomplished… your playing sounds amazing, as usual. That effortless fluidity would be nice to have! Well done.” –Steve Morse
"While he knew Rice only glancingly when he secured his help on Markology in the 70s, Rice became a mentor and lifelong friend. Rice became the dominant force on guitar for his generation just as O’Connor became the center of gravity on fiddle. Their lives were intertwined, so that’s why Markology II is dedicated to Rice. It’s not just a fine tribute, it’s a one-of-a-kind project. Bluegrass guitar is a lead instrument but it’s rarely if ever a solo instrument. Over 46 minutes, O’Connor bids the guitar in all kinds of directions completely on his own. It’s fiery, finessed, extravagant and spellbinding. So often we lament the passing of musicians whose voices are stilled. Rarely do we witness a resurrection." -Craig Havighurst (WMOT - On The String)