 Frank Marino grew up in Montréal surrounded by music and
formed what would become Mahogany Rush with Paul Harwood on bass and drummer Jim
Ayoub in 1970. Heavily influenced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Frank Marino's
early guitar work was frantic but engaging, and showed a lot of promise. The
band recorded MAXOOM in Québec's Little Coyote Studios in early '72. Their
simple, three piece sound was seldom burdened with over-dubs and was
demonstrated in "Buddy", the band's first single. Although it didn't catch on in
Canada, the record quickly caught the attention of the FM market in the
north-eastern States.
CHILD OF THE NOVELTY was put out in early '74 and picked up
where their debut left off, an all-out assault on the ears. Buried beneath the
blazing riffs Frank Marino had already made a name for himself with was the only
single "A New Rock and Roll". Though it too failed to make a dent in the
Canadian market, the airplay given it in the U.S. landed Mahogany Rush dates
opening for the likes of The Amboy Dukes, The Chambers Brothers and Graham
Central Station.
STRANGE UNIVERSE was released less than a year later and
contained the single "Satisfy Your Soul". Though Frank Marino's guitar work was
as detailed yet as hectic as in the previous records, STRANGE UNIVERSE failed to
build what one would have thought was a natural progression.
Their fourth album entitled MAHOGANY RUSH IV hit the shelves
in '76. More guitar-frenzy was almost sophisticated now, as evidenced by the
epic "Electric Reflections of War".
'77 saw Frank Marino and his band put out WORLD ANTHEM,
widely regarded as one of his best records. The title track and "Requiem For A
Sinner" pounded in every medium-sized venue all along the east coast, northern
states and in the heartland.
FRANK MARINO AND MAHOGANY RUSH LIVE was recorded during the
subsequent American tour and showcased the versatility and tightness normally
unseen in a heavy metal trio. Included on the record were tributes to Chuck
Berry and Jimi Hendrix with copies of "Johnny B Goode" and "Purple Haze", a song
Frank Marino traditionally ended most shows with.
Ironically it was another cover that finally got Mahogany
Rush half-ass constant FM airplay in Canada in 1979. His version of Dylan's "All
Along The Watchtower" was the only single released from TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED.
Haunting and mystic, his version is commonly referred to as the most under rated
ever done. The other three studio tracks also showed a definite maturity in the
writing. Incorporating more effects and over dubs, "Sister Change" still had the
rawness synonymous with the name Frank Marino. The instrumental title-track and
the cover of "Norwegian Wood" showcased the band's versatility. Side two of the
record was four new tracks taped in various bars and captured the raw essence of
a Mahogany Rush show, most notably in "Bottom of the Barrel" and "Door Of
Illusion".
A year later and WHAT'S NEXT was on the shelves. Again
though, it seemed like Frank Marino and company failed to build on the success
of the previous record. That aside, songs like "You Got Livin", "Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame" and a smoking cover of "Roadhouse Blues" became instant staples of
the live shows. Though still concentrating on the States, the group did some
dates in Europe but failed to receive the same attention.
THE POWER OF ROCK AND ROLL hit the stores in 1981. By this
time however the obvious was becoming clear. Frank Marino's guitar-work had
taken a back seat to the new-wave sounds of the day and the band found their
audience had outgrown them and CBS dropped them from the label shortly
thereafter.
Frank Marino released his first true solo effort in '82 on
Maze Records called JUGGERNAUT. Though nothing truly ground-breaking, again
Frank Marino's incredible guitar virtuosity was displayed, most notable in
numbers like the title-track.
DOUBLE LIVE came out in '83 as a Mahogany Rush record. Taken
from gigs done on the east coast, it included the epic "Strange Dreams", "You
Got Livin" and "Rock Me Baby". The band also showcased their blues roots with a
rendition of "Who Do You Love". Frank Marino soon decided the band's sound was
no longer welcome and now without a label again, disbanded the group.
FULL CIRCLE hit the shelves in '86. Though not really
supported by the boys at Maze Records, it's easily one of Frank Marino's most
under-rated works, and is widely acknowledged by the die-hard fans as possibly
one of his best.
Frank Marino got the boys back together in '93 for another
kick at the cat with FROM THE HIP as an independent release. With a renewed
vigor, Frank Marino's musical influences shone through as he let loose on such
tracks as "Babylon Revisited" and "The Stand". Other tracks of note included the
haunting "The Wall Came Down" and "Ride My Own Wave".
'97 saw the release of a double 'greatest hits' package -
DRAGONFLY. A collection of past studio and live tracks, it's the quintessential
Marino LP, perfect for anyone just now being introduced to the works of one of
rock and roll's most original artists. Frank Marino broke in the new millennium
with EYE OF THE STORM. Always the innovator, he combined an Arabic guitar sound
with solid drum beats on the cuts "Avalon" and the jazz-flavored "He's Calling".
He also wrote "Since You Came Into My Life", a soulful track about his three
daughters.
A true rock pioneer in every sense of the word, Frank Marino
has never strayed from what he believed true - a good song isn't necessarily one
that's played on the radio every half hour. Never compromising, he's always done
what he thought was right. Coincidentally, a fan base rivaled by few agrees.
Contact Grabow for more information or to book Frank Marino &
Mahogany Rush for your next corporate or private event.
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