Review by Anne Leighton
Rock and roll history almost missed Mark Stein. Thankfully he decided to create his own Matrix, and called it The Mark Stein Project featuring talented musicians with memorable talents and supportive powers. The group played three shows this winter at NYC’s B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, Massachusetts’ Bull Run, and Upstate New York’s Daryl’s House.
The band includes Rat Race Choir’s guitarist Mark Hitt, who has also sung and played with Robin Zander, John Entwistle, Brian Johnson, and the Tubes. Drummageddon’s Charlie Zeleny has worked in bands led by Joe Lynn Turner, Derek St. Holmes, and Jordan Rudess. Then there’s the new guy that shines with bass chops and a voice that harkens back to a young Glenn Hughes. His name is Jordan Steinberg, and he’s also on Steve Miller’s radar. Miller was in the audience at the New York City show, and after hearing the working bassist blend his voice in Stein’s gospel “Pray For Peace,” The master pop stylist and guitarist shouted, “Nice Jordan!”
”Dreamer” from New York City
Stein himself, a founding member of Vanilla Fudge, has supported — playing keys, singing, collaborating with Dave Mason, Alice Cooper, Carl Palmer, the late Tommy Bolin) and also made guest appearances with the Doors & Deep Purple. He talks about them in intimate and powerful ways.
He shared pivotal moments in his coming of age as an artist, like the time he was “scared shit” when he opened for ELP with his solo band Boomerang after the initial demise of Vanilla Fudge in 1971, gaping as Keith Emerson played powerful notes and created drama in concert. Did we mention, ironically, if we flash forward to Stein being the keyboardist and singer that Carl Palmer hired for his recent salute to his late, great ELP band mate. In concert these days, the Mark Stein Project played “Knife Edge.”
Watching Stein’s smile, as he proclaimed one note at a time in the Fudge version of “You Keep Me Hanging On.” Next to the Supremes, Rock and roll history has that angst-ridden song forever as it also charted at Number 6 in North America.
Stein’s the real deal, connecting the music and stories with the audience first. I’m impressed. Serving as a publicist for Mark Stein has been a very spiritual experience.
”Smoke On The Water” from Massachusetts
