Mostly Dylan was born of a collaboration between Tom Corwin and Tim Hockenberry and the inspiration of bringing new perspectives to the indelible music of Bob Dylan. The right musicians were essential to making this project a creative success. When I first heard Tim Hockenberry, it was clear he had a rare gift. Not only is his voice a refined instrument, but he has the talent and restraint to bring poignancy and new life to a familiar lyric. From the day we sat down to begin this record, it felt like something special was in the air. We have been extremely lucky to have the contributions of other great musicians on this record. Bonnie Raitt, George Marinelli, Ricky Fataar and others helped bring this record home. Tom Corwin ------- Mostly Dylan review excerpts: "Mostly Dylan, brings an exciting feeling of freshness to Dylan's great material. On this album the newness comes mainly from the superb production of Tom Corwin, who's previously worked with Bonnie Raitt, Chris Smither and Rory Block. Raitt joins in a splendid performance on "Mr. Tambourine Man", accompanied by the razor-sharp drum work of veteran Ricky Fataar." Corwin and Hockenberry unmistakably prefer Dylan's older work. They provide a heartbreaking rendition of 'One Too Many Mornings', and 'The Times they are a Changing' sounds much more dramatic than the original. "The album's second to last song is an extremely laid-back after-hours interpretation of "Rainy Day Women 12 & 35". Tom Waits would have been proud." TON MAAS Ode Magazine ------------ "Rainy Day Woman sounds like Dylan and Miles Davis trapped in a dive bar at 3a.m." Mark Whittington Mercury News -------- "Unique yet familiar" Highly recommended. Some unique arrangements of these familiar Dylan tunes. Tim Hockenberry's voice fits the material well. Two originals join the 10 Dylan songs, and Bonnie Raitt plays slide on Mr. Tambourine Man. One of the more enjoyable Dylan cover albums released in 2004. Reviewer: D. Plentus "webmaster: dylancoveralbums.com" ----- "Mostly Dylan is totally great" "Mostly Dylan" revisits a collection of tunes from the Dylan songbook, placing them in a fresh context alongside a couple of originals which hold up as worthy additions. It is a mature, polished effort, featuring chiming guitars, fluid bass, sturdy keyboards and a distinctive, atmospheric sound suggesting a Northern California version of Daniel Lanois' New Orleans mystique. A collaboration between vocalist/instrumentalist Tim Hockenberry and producer/musician Tom Corwin, it also features a host of superb players such as guitarist George Marinelli, drummer Ricky Fataar, and a guest appearance by Bonnie Raitt. The first thing one notices is Hockenberry's voice...a rough-edged yet pliable instrument that suggests Marc Cohn in the lower ranges but soars effortlessly into an upper range without losing any of its power and emotional directness. It is somehow both familiar and distinctive...comparisons can be made to contemporary singers such as Joe Cocker and Tom Waits, but traces of long past singers such as Satchmo, Fats Waller and Louis Prima give it a timelessness that transcends the modern era. The disc opens with a stately interpretation of "Forever Young," a meditative reading that sets the tone for the rest of the album, and stands as an effective reinterpretation that carves out its own territory amidst many other versions of this song. "Like a Rolling Stone" features a tasteful instrumental bridge anchored by Marinelli's guitar, and trades Dylan's angry tirade for a more wistful and poignant reading. Other familiar Dylan songs are completely recast..."Mr. Tambourine Man" emerges as a contemplative waltz with an emotional slide solo by Raitt, and "Rainy Day Women #12 and #35 is transformed into a hallucinatory, 3 a.m. drunken stagger punctuated by Hockenberry's boozy trumpet and Randy Quan's sly wah-wah guitar. Perhaps the album's tour-de-force is a stunning reworking of "My Back Pages," with its behind-the-beat phrasing, hesitant arrangement and rhythmic shifts. Lyrics cascade out of quiet interludes, and a spiraling, tremulous guitar solo takes the song to a climax, only to have the band run away with the song in an electric outro jam in 5/5 time. The two original tunes - both Hockenberry/Corwin efforts - blend seamlessly into the rest of the disc. "Two Steps Back" is an appealing minor-key ballad featuring nice fretless bass work from Corwin, and "Flirting With Disaster" more than holds its own, despite the use of a repetitive hook which Dylan himself probably would have eschewed. "Mostly Dylan" closes appropriately enough with a brief and gently dreamy reading of "Tomorrow is a Long Time." Taken as a whole, the album is a rewarding listen...quiet yet intense, richly textured and tastefully produced. "Mostly Dylan" is the first of a planned series of similar projects featuring different songwriters' works...I'm already looking forward to hearing the results of their next collaboration. Reviewer: Dan Reich - Amazon.com ------- "I've seen the new face of Dylan, and it is good." Mostly Dylan has been on heavy rotation in my world ever since I got it. I must admit that I am often skeptical of cover-albums -- particularly with something like Dylan (because from the Byrds to Guns n' Roses, he's been quite covered already). Still, Corwin and Hockenberry somehow managed to really pull this off. The interpretations are very unique -- with a wonderfully jazzy vibe that's on so many of the tracks -- which brings a totally different feel to these songs. And it's not just different for difference's sake; the difference is also very much in line with the spirit of the tunes: these covers really seem to bring out the essence of the songs themselves. And all the while, there's virtuosic musicianship holding it together. Amazing all around. Reviewer: Gabriel Stricker -Amazon.com ---------- About the artists: Tom Corwin Producer, arranger, engineer, bass, guitar, keys After many years and recording and performing as a bass player with a variety of artists including Patti LaBelle, Booker T. Bonnie Raitt, The Blind Boys from Alabama and the House of Blues Band, Tom decided to focus his attention on producing and recording. Since that time he has recorded Bonnie Raitt at his home studio on more than ten records, recorded Kris Kristofferson's recent release "Broken Freedom Song" and produced Bob Stillman's debut release "Come Down Angel". Tom dreamed up Mostly Dylan one afternoon in his studio. He is one of the founders of mostly ink. ----- Tim Hockenberry vocals, keys, trombone, arranger Tim Hockenberry, considered "one of the best singers in the Bay Area..." began his love of music at an early age. In Minneapolis, he studied trombone and piano extensively before touring with the Clark Terry Big Band in 1983. Hockenberry moved West in 1990 and began performing as a jazz and R&B vocalist, sharing the stage with acts such as Robert Cray, David Sanborn, George Benson, BB King, Ben Harper and Roberta Flack. ---- Ricky Fataar - Drums Born in Durban, South Africa 05/09/52 As teenagers my older brothers and I formed a band called "The Flames," made several recordings and toured all over Southern Africa. In 1968, we moved to London; then L.A. in 1970, after signing to the Beach Boys' "Brother" label we made 2 albums. After we disbanded, I joined the Beach Boys, recording Holland and a 2-disc live album. I worked in London and L.A. with many artists. During that time Eric Idle asked me to appear in the TV show The Rutles, All You Need is Cash. I played Stig O'Hara (the quiet one). I met Bonnie Raitt in 1979, it was then she asked me to play on her Green Light album as part of The Bump Band. I then emigrated to Australia where I played on and co-produced albums for Tim Finn, Crowded House and others. I produced music for films and composed the score for an Australian film Spotswood. ------ George Marinelli Guitars Born- Staten Island, NY. Lived in Los Angeles 1963-1991. Moved to Nashville in 1991. George marinelli teamed up with some friends in 1982 to form 'bruce hornsby and the range'. after making the first album, 'the way it is', they were nominated for and won the grammy in 1986 for 'best new artist'. they went on to make two more albums. marinelli then moved to nashville in 1991 to pursue session work, writing, and producing there. in 1993, he played on bonnie raitt's album, 'longing in their hearts', and has been playing and recording with her mostly on and sometimes off, since. When not busy gigging with bonnie and his own band air parma, he's occupied with session work ranging from the dixie chix to art garfunkel, vince gill to peter cetera, and others. over the last couple of years, he's been producing go to the links page to see and hear some samples, of george's producing work. ------ Bonnie Raitt Slide guitar More than a best-selling artist, respected guitarist, expressive singer, and accomplished songwriter, Bonnie Raitt has become an institution in American music. The release of The Best of Bonnie Raitt On Capitol 1989-2003, her 17th album, makes it clear that her contributions, in music as well as social issues, will endure as hallmarks of our time. ------ Randy Quan - Guitar (Times, Rainy Day Women, Tambourine Man) Randy Quan has been the featured guitarist with Booker T. Jones since 1997, has toured with blues legend Billy Boy Arnold and co-produced albums for alto saxophonist Michael Bolivar. He recently won a Native American Music Award for his production and performance on Destined Love Traveler by Koljademo. His sensitivity as a player shines on The times they are A-changin', Mr. Tambourine Man, and Rainy Day Women #12 & 35. ----- Jerry Cortez - Guitar ( Tambourine man, Two Steps Back) Jerry is a great all around player who is tremendously talented at fitting into any situation. He has played with Jessie Colin Young, Jerry Garcia and Pete Sears. He is always solid and has the talent to dazzle an audience at whim. A great acoustic guitar players get harder and harder to find. We were lucky to have Jerry play acoustic on Mr. Tambourine Man.