Marques Morel - Tales and Tellings (2024) Hi-Res

With style somewhere between Waylon Jennings & Merle Haggard the live-in-studio recording has a presence that brings the songs of Marques Morel to life. Illinois’ singer-songwriter is old school, but not necessarily old-fashioned.

With “Gas Station Girls” the propulsion is from the late George Jones rather than Waylon & Merle. Marques has a wider berth – lots of vocal distinctions that are stock country but with a backbone. These cigars are hand-rolled not machine-made. Instinctively good.

The fuel here is traditional country loaded with high-octane stories, bruised ballads, penetrating rural tales with a nice brawny voice with personality. There are no challenging tunes in the eleven Tales and Tellings but the set is relaxing, rustic & down to earth.

As one navigates through the songs it’s apparent any one artist or late legend doesn’t influence Marques. “Fruit On the Tree,” is a powerful troubadour-oriented ballad. The songs can be played & expressive like a Steinbeck novel. Many of the songs have their magic but what’s most important is the lack of dependence on mediocrity. If the song isn’t vivid Mr. Morel’s voice is. “Drive All Night” is superb. It has all the necessary winning elements. The quality of the music is the way stars begin to appear slowly in the vast dark sky. There’s always more there than the eye can see.

The musicians on this set assert themselves admirably on each song. But it’s Marques’ voice that compels the music forward. A tight melodic ensemble is an effective fit for this kind of showcase. Instead of pickup trucks & beer for his horses, the material may touch upon “Porch Songs,” – simpler times & slower days.

This could be a corn country upbringing rather than the humid deep south or bone-dry Texas. Distances can affect one’s view of the country. Their musical view too. I hear old melodies dominate the tunes, but I also hear individuality mixed with inspiration. “Woodpiles On My Mind,” has a John Hartford heartbeat & an Elvis-country feel. I must add that I detect drippings of Roy Clark & Jerry Reed through the composition. Yes, I do.

Marques doesn’t suffer limitations. He has an imaginative freedom. Does it flow freely all the time? No. If a songwriter is prolific not everything could be constructed of quality. These are songs going with the grain of America. Entertaining? Yes. Depth & charm? Of course.