Sometimes you want to listen to music that doesn’t tire you out. Not something new or overly complicated, but time‑tested and close in spirit. In such moments I am drawn to Americana, folk and country – to music played on guitar or mandolin. It’s important that the recording sounds clean and clear, without unnecessary noise or processing: only the voice, the melody, and the story that is easy to understand. That is why today I put all my work aside and played the EP “TWISTED” by Mark Thackway – one of the most prominent guitarists of Southern Ontario. For almost 40 years he has been playing at the crossroads of roots, bluegrass, country, Americana and jam‑band. In the 1980s–1990s Thackway became a pioneer of the Canadian jam scene with the groups The Other One and Days Of You, and later performed with The Mark T Band and other projects. He shared the stage with Vincent Lowcock and The Mandela System, took part in SEVA Foundation concerts together with Wavy Gravy and Timothy Leary, and played at the largest festivals in Ontario and beyond.
As a session musician he worked with world‑class producers Nick Blagona and Karen Kane. In 2023 he released his first solo EP, and his new release “TWISTED”, which I will focus on in more detail, marked the next stage of his path. The EP was recorded in the summer of 2025 in collaboration with mandolinist and producer Andrew Collins. All guitar and vocal parts were performed live in a single take, without overdubs. On four tracks the bass part was played by James McEleney, and on one by John Dymond. The recording contains six songs, which touch on reflections about freedom, the passage of time, fate, mortality, relationships, and the very art of songwriting. The songs range from light folk textures to blues and funk rhythms, while remaining faithful to Americana roots.
The mini‑album opens with the playful and at the same time image‑rich song “WUNDERLUST” – here the story of an old jacket turns into a metaphor of relationships, a light, slightly ironic sketch about memory and change, attachment and the way objects can preserve emotions. Musically the song sounds very organic: the gentle mandolin melody, interwoven acoustic guitars and supporting bass create a cozy atmosphere. Against this background, Mark’s vocals stand out with special expressiveness – warm and sincere. More blues‑funk flavored, “Time to Go” sounds like a philosophical commentary on the relentless passing of time. And while the lyrics speak about the wisdom of years lived, the delivery is full of drive. Acoustic guitar and bass lead catchy lines, while the vocals deliberately “turn up the heat,” transforming a philosophical thought into a reason to celebrate the very moment here and now. The result is a curious contrast: the lyrics invite reflection, while the rhythm literally pushes you to dance. It is precisely in this dual layer that the charm of the song lies.
One of the most tender songs on the EP to me seems to be “Fly”. It is a reflection on the brevity of life and the signs of fate. Mandolin and acoustic guitar carry on a melodic dialogue, while the singer’s warm vocal gently frames the text. At certain moments the voice lingers, as if holding on the breath – and exactly in these pauses intimacy and sincerity arise. “Fly” is quiet acceptance, a song about how life is fragile, but in this fragility lies its beauty. In a mood of reflection and hope comes the track “Liberty” – a personal contemplation of freedom, revealed through the prism of relationships and feelings. The lines carry a paradox: “some may dream of your liberty, but I wish you were here” and “I’ll give you all if my liberty even when you won’t love mine.” Thackway said he was inspired by the memory of his son living in New York: “I was thinking about what it must be like to see the Statue of Liberty from the water, when you first approach. All of the ideals that go with it.” The music adds a touch of soft nostalgia, leaving the sense that freedom is something we are ready to give up for the sake of those close to us.
The folk‑styled “Twisted” demonstrates Thackway’s impressive mastery in acoustic guitar playing and arranging. The song begins with a sparkling combination of guitars, then unfolds into a complex double riff that energizes the track after each verse. Lyrically, the track plays with the multiple meanings of the word “twisted,” pairing the text with vigorous music. The performance impresses with both technicality and sincerity. The final track, “A Song for You”, offers a slightly ironic perspective on the expectations of listeners 0 those who want songs about everything “impossible to change.” Here there is a subtle thought: in the end “We’re all just singing in a band,” accepting the imperfections of life. Interestingly, the song appeared spontaneously – Thackway recalls how he and his wife were on a beach in Mexico when a passer‑by suddenly demanded that they play something. This moment gives the song liveliness, and it seems to have absorbed the spirit of that instant and the freedom of improvisation.
Mark Thackway is worth listening to – I assure you, you will enjoy it. The EP “TWISTED” is live sound, warm vocals and sincere stories. It holds space for reflection, lightness in melodies and respect for tradition. Mark Thackway has recorded a work that feels like a real meeting – open and warm. The EP is available on all digital platforms and has already received high praise from music critics.
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