Marshall's musical influences include Son House, Bukka White, Charlie Patton, Rory Block, Blind Willie McTell, Tommy Johnson (a big influence), Roy Bookbinder, and Johnny Winter to name a few.
A driving force has emerged on the Canadian blues scene. Marshall Lawrence is taking traditional blues styles and infusing them with a raw, fiery energy. Marshall's adrenaline-driven sound is a fierce combination of funk, rock and soul, a wild ride he calls "acid blues".
Marshall Lawrence is a dynamic and unique blues performer who has experienced many phases in his life and music.
The Blues has long been recognized for its healing properties, but not a lot of Blues players are actual doctors. Marshall Lawrence is called ‘The Doctor of the Blues’ for good reason – he’s a bonafide Ph.D, holding a doctorate in psychology. “Ironically, a fan laid the nickname on me, but he didn’t know that I actually have a doctorate,” says Lawrence.
His first album,‘Where’s the Party’ is a reflection of his journey through the Blues that culminates in those same healing properties. “My original reaction to the Blues was strictly visceral,” he explains. “I’d been through Jimi and rock and funk, but the Blues is what grabbed me inside.”
“And it took a while to settle on it, too. I went through a lot of performing styles before I thought it all through and decided on the Blues – almost like it was an intellectual process.”
As a result, Lawrence has matured into a performer who brings a variety of influences to his stage show. Energy is perhaps the most recognizable element, and one of his styles lays in his ‘speed guitar’ technique that includes influences derived from mandolin work. “I picked up a mandolin when I was at the University of California and couldn’t find any blues players, so, I hooked into bluegrass. The technique has had an influence on my blues playing,” he says.
Lawrence includes that same technique in his acoustic playing, which will be prominent on his newest soon to be released album ‘The Morning After’. “I put ‘Where’s the Party’ together as the first of a blues duo,” he says. “The Morning After is all acoustic material, and features more original material.”
Both approaches work for Marshall Lawrence as he summons up the Blues to fix whatever ails you.
See his personal web page for all the latest information and more sound clips:
www.doctorblues.com
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Shannon Mock, a good friend who has generously given her time and talent to Forget-Me-Not, could now use our support. She is in the final days of a talent competion that I fully support and encourage you to do the same. Just click on the FameCast icon to vote, complete the registration, and you'll be able to vote and post a comment. Please try to vote every day. Voting ends at 11am central on April 8th.
Remember, too, the Forget-Me-Not Series concert at Nashville Palace, Sunday, April 6, from 6-11p.m. Shannon, along with several other talented artists, will be performing live. Admission is free, donations will be appreciated and there will be a raffle and silent auction, as well. Hope to see you there!
RED ROAD CROSSING FIRST ALBUM IS OUT NOW! You can find it in your best music seller or online at Brennus music site. www. brennus-music. com Get a good time enjoying it :) Thanks for the support you give
hey Doc...just wanted to publicly thank you for scorchin' the stage last saturday night at the Crown with me and Patty...lookin' forward to a red-hot night of the fruits from the roots on the 26th at the Treehouse in E-town...TH
A Friend Is Like A Four Leaf Clover: Hard To Find And Lucky To Have! Have A Great And Wonderful Week! And I Hope You Feel Good! A Big Hug For Your Friendship!
Mr Marshall, Just thought to stop in. Hows everything going for you? Its damn cold here... Besides that I'm working on the first CD. Its taken alittle longer than I anticipated. However the end result will be well worth the wait. In the meantime I've put a new Interview on the EDEN MYRRH band site as well as some fresh tracks. The heavier tracks are being worked on. Have a listen and feel free to leave some feedback in the blog there. Stay in touch. Take Care, Nikko
