Mark Stuart – Songs From A Corner Stage

Like his wife Stacey Earle’s recent debut album, Mark Stuart’s new disc is a low-key but affecting gem. Stuart has paid his dues backing brother-in-law Steve Earle and Jonell Mosser in the studio, as well as touring with Earle, Freddy Fender and his wife.

The album title offers a hint at Stuart’s rather humble ego, and there are times when that humility undercuts his work a bit. Still, there’s not a dud among the 10 tracks here. Especially strong are the elegiac closer, “When Katey Sings”; the low-down bluesy “Boss Os Watchin'”; and the wearily wistful traveler’s ode “Ragged Suitcase”.

Best of all may be the class-conscious “Old Money”, which is way more effective than it has any right to be, given its rather hoary, wrong-side-of-the-tracks perspective. The key is that Stuart sings it like he means it: “Old money… it runs your town, it runs my town, it runs every town,” he mutters matter-of-factly.