John Mark Heard
Poet to the Poets
1951 - 1992
Dormite In Pace Dei
MARK HEARD |
Mark's selftitled first solo album (reissued in 1978 as On Turning to Dust). Mark's early work is often compared to James Taylor, and the similarities are obvious on this recording. The 1998 CD-reissue includes the following bonus live-tracks: I'm Crying Again/Stuck In The Middle/The Power Of Love/True Love |
MARK HEARD |
Reissue the 1975-album Mark Heard |
MARK HEARD |
Mark's late 70's album Appalachian Melody, released on Larry Norman's Solid Rock Records. Produced by Larry Norman and Mark, Appalachian Melody continues in the acoustic, James Taylorish vein established on Mark's debut album, but with more confidence. A few tracks feature Jon Linn's electric blues guitar, hinting at new musical directions for Mark. With the possible exception of Fingerprint, this is the album that best captures Mark's playful, humorous side. Novelty numbers such as "On the Radio" and "Jonah's Song" provide comic relif from the deeper, introspective dimensions of "Here I Am (Once Again)" and "Sidewalk Soliloquy." |
MARK HEARD |
Mark's European-only release on the Swiss label Palmfrond Records, produced, engineered, and mixed by Mark. Here Mark continues the transition from acoustic music to rock'n'roll, blending his folky sound with a few electric numbers. Both his razor wit and his senitive artistry are in full evidence here, and the album contains his first indisputable masterpiece, "All the Sleepless Dreamers." |
MARK HEARD |
Mark's first release on Chris Christian's Home Sweet Home label. |
MARK HEARD |
This album realized all of Mark's lyrical potential, pounding Francis Schaeffer's pulpit of artistic and poetic honesty in the face of the decline of Western culture ("Victims of the Age," "City Life Won't Let Up") and taking christendom to task for its detachment from the world's problems ("Growing Up Blind," "Dancing at the Policeman's Ball," "Some Folk's World," "Nothing Is Bothering Me"). Modern, relevant, sensitive songwriting. Produced and arranged by Mark. |
MARK HEARD |
Stylistically, this acoustic-oriented release had more in common with Mark's first two albums than with the next three. This recording is consider a little gem, offering laid back songs of biting imagery with a richly textured accompainment. Standout tracks include "These Plastic Halos," "The Pain That Plagues Creation," and "He Will Listen to You." |
MARK HEARD |
Eager to return to rock'n'roll after the acoustic Eye of the Storm, Mark wrote and recorded the Mosaics album. But his label asked him for another acoustic record first, in hopes of capitalizing on the (relative) success of Eye of the Storm. In five weeks, Mark wrote, recorded, and mixed Ashes and Light, working in his new mobile studio, Fingerprint Recorders. The ashes - some of Mark's most incisive, acerbic writing to date ("Threw It Away," "We Believe So Well," "Straw Men") - were mitigated by the occasional hopeful ray of light ("I Know What It's Like to Be Loved," "In Spite of Himself," "Washed to the Sea"). With the support of musicians like David Mansfield and Harry Stinson, Mark created a brilliant album, and a sure classic among his fans. Produced and arranged by Mark. |
MARK HEARD |
Recorded in 1983-84, but delayed until after Ashes and Light. A decidedly rock album (more so than any up to this point) with a great cover of T-Bone Burnett's "The Power of Love." This was Mark's most focused work of social criticism, and his last studio record for Home Sweet Home Records. |
iDEoLA |
Mark took the pseudonym "iDEoLA" for this rather electronic tour de force on the new What? label (distributed through A&M Records). Heavy on the digital samples, synths, and drum machines, this album sounded nothing like any of his work before or since. Mark had already established a reputation as a formidable songwriter, but on Tribal Opera his skills took a quantum leap forward. It's a must have, with "How to Grow Up Big and Strong," "Hold Back Your Tears," and "Go Ask the Dead Man" leading the pack. Recorded and produced by Mark at Fingerprint LA (Mark apparently renamed his studio after moving it from a mobile unit to a shed behind his house). |
MARK HEARD |
The first of Mark Heard's final trilogy of albums. His songwriting became as honest, seeking, truthful, and raw as it ever had been on these three final works. On Dry Bones Dance, he revels in an earthy Americana that borders on twinges of country rock, complimenting the wry honesty of the lyrics. Powerful, emotional, truthful. |
MARK HEARD |
Plaintive, passionate, heartbreaking and hopeful music is colored by warm, acoustic production reminiscent of his earlier recordings, all of which dims in comparison to the lyrics, some of the best pure songwriting ever put on tape. Includes provocative ballads such as "Nod Over Coffee", "Lonely Moon" and "Look Over Your Shoulder". |
MARK HEARD |
Mark's last recording. 15 songs, electrified and heartfelt. Handling his guitar, accordian and 1939 National Electric Mandolin like they were his last hope for redemption, Mark developed a sound that matched his frenetic lyrics. Produced by Mark Heard, and co-produced by Dan Russell and Jim Scott. |
MARK HEARD |
A compilation of songs from Mark's three albums released on Fingerprint Records, including three previously unreleased songs. The recordings include the talents of brilliant musicians such as Buddy and Julie Miller, Sam Phillips, Byron Berline (an associate of the Flying Burrito Brothers), Burleigh Drummond of Ambrosia, stick-player Fergus Jemison Marsh (a long-time associate of Bruce Cockburn) and Michael Been of The Call, as well as many other great musicians. Co-produced by Dan Russell and Buddy Miller. |
DIVERSE ARTISTER |
A tribute to Mark Heard - seventeen artists covering Mark's songs. Billboard Magazine stated: "Taken as a whole, the collection remind us once again what a brilliant poet Heard was, and what a devastating loss his passing has been to music in general. Unqualified recommendation." The record was nominated for a Grammy in 1994. |
DIVERSE ARTISTER |
The Strong Hand of Love Radio Special as aired on WXPN's World Cafe in 1994. This 70 minutes tribute to Mark Heard includes music by Mark as well as interviews with artists such as Bruce Cockburn, Sam Phillips, Michael Been of The Call and Bill Mallonee of Vigilantes of Love, among others. Bruce Cockburn's acoustic version of "Closer To The Light", written in memory of Mark, is only available on this disc. |
DIVERSE ARTISTER |
A double disc including 34 of Mark's songs performed by 34 artists including Victoria Williams, Buddy and Julie Miller, Bruce Cockburn, The Williams Brothers, The Vigilantes of Love, Daniel Amos and Phil Keaggy. [Note: 14 of the tracks from the Strong Hand of Love album is included on this album as well] |
MARK HEARD |
This benefit CD includes two live tracks from Mark's final concert at Cornerstone in 1992 ("Freight Train To Nowhere" and "Orphans of God"), 25 minutes recorded live in concert at Calvary Chapel 1982, as well as 4 demos - the two previously unreleased songs "Mystery Mind" and "Let Freedom Ring" [which of "Mystery Mind" is an instant Heard classics - truly a sparkling gem] as well as "Mercy Of The Flame" and "I Just Wanna Get Warm". The CD aslo includes clips from a fascinating interview with Mark. NOTE: Mystery Mind is compiled to benefit the Heard Family Fund - the objective of this project is to generate funds for Mark's family as well as perpetuate the legacy of his work. |
MARK HEARD |
This CD includes 13 unreleased tracks from Mark's days at Home Sweet Home Records, digitally remastered. Among the tracks are 3 previously unreleased songs ("Morning Is Gold", "Night to Night" and "Tell Me It's Your Love"), as well as 3 previously unreleased instrumental renditions of Christmas songs. The last track on the CD contains a Jerry Houser interview with Mark on his 1985 release Mosaics (including audio-excerpts from that album). |
MARK HEARD |
The title says it all - Mark Heard recorded on what would become his very last performance, at Cornerstone Festival July 4, 1992. Mark had a minor heart attack on stage, but finished the set. Afterwards, Mark was taken to hospital. August 16, 1992, John Mark Heard passed away. |
MARK HEARD |
Hammers & Nails was released simultaneously with Matthew Dickerson's book on Mark’s life of the same name. Recorded as demos from 1987-1989 and just prior to Mark’s final series of masterworks, Dry Bones Dance, Second Hand, and Satellite Sky, these songs function as the prequel to his brilliant final chapter and a bridge from his earlier work. |
Mark Heard - discografi / covere / tribute nettside