On A Roll Cop Records Mark Cameron hails from Minnesota where he has been making music for over thirty years. In the early seventies he began performing in folk rock bands. In 1984 Cameron founded the twin cities based “Citizen’s Patrol” and released three albums with them. He turned to the blues and released his solo debut “Life of Illusion” in 2008. Cameron came to national attention with the release of his fourth album “Playing Rough” in 2016. His follow up recording, 2017’s “Live at the Chippewa” featured songs reprised from “Playing Rough”. The charismatic front man recently represented Minnesota at the International Blues Challenge. Today the band includes guitarist, vocalist Cameron; the rhythm section of Scott Lundberg, bass and Dan Schroeder, drums; harmonica ace Rick Miller; and Mark’s wife Sheri Cameron on sax, flute and percussion, who also drew the cover art. All of the songs are written or co-written by Cameron who proves himself a skilled storyteller. The album was recorded at The Bathtub Shrine Recording Studio in Minneapolis, and at The Closet Studios in Owatonna, MN; between March 2018 and 2019. Opening with Miller’s harp “Trouble Brewin’” tells the story of the rocky relationship between the vocalist and his gal. “Ridin The Rails” is dedicated to the late bassist Serrin Andreas, and Sheri’s flute and the boogie beat, reminds me of Canned Heat. “Where I Got You From” is a fabulous Delta Blues tune with some great slide from Cameron. “Dicey” is a studio version of a song that that first appeared on the “Live at The Chippewa” album. Three songs are currently receiving considerably airplay. The funky “On Your Way to the Top” featuring bassist Schroeder; the Louis Jordan inspired “Back Seat Boogie”; and the tongue in cheek title track about a man “getting in touch with the deepest, darkest places in his soul”. Cameron excels vocally while the band works out. The Mark Cameron Band proves to be the most improved blues band I’ve heard so far this year. This is truly an infectious album. ” - Richard Ludmerer

— Making a Scene Magazine

An all original set from this Minnesota band, some tracks with strong blues content, others branching into more of a melodic, rocky sound. Mark wrote the songs and leads on guitar and vocals, singing in a pleasant and clear voice, making the lyrics immediately intelligible; Sheri Cameron plays sax, flute and percussion, Rick Miller is on harp and B/Vs, Scott Lundberg on bass and B/Vs and Dan Schroeder on drums. The album opens with the lively ensemble piece “Trouble Brewin’” in which Mark sings of a relationship that looks doomed to founder on the rock of alcohol. “On Your Way To The Top” is an early standout with Mark’s core guitar riff picked up by sax and harp while “Dirty Biscuit” recounts another tale of a wild woman, played to a driving boogie rhythm. Talking of boogie, Canned Heat’s “On The Road Again” is the rhythmic inspiration for “Ridin’ The Rails” as Sheri switches to flute, adding an ethereal touch to the tune, an interesting combo. The title track finds Mark in a succession of difficulties, losing his job and his girl, Mark finding a suitably ominous sounding riff; hearing ‘troll’ in the lyrics was a first for this reviewer (“I’m living under a bridge, just like a troll, I’m on a roll”). “Dicey” is a rather odd mid-point in which Mark narrates tales of low life over a bright Rn’B riff before the impressive “Next Stop Is The Blues” on which Mark plays a fine solo, the chorus beefed up by the sax. Mark plays resonator on “Where I Got You From” but mostly sticks to electric as on “Movin’ Out”, one of the uptempo tunes with Mark’s quick-fingered fretwork well supported by Rick’s harp work. “Back Seat Boogie” has a fun 50’s rockabilly feel with the twangy guitar and “Here We Go” is another ensemble piece with a driving rhythm. “What Lucy Says” has some very clear lead work from Mark over a relaxed rhythm before “Mojo Shuffle” lives up to its title as both sax and harp beef up the tune as Mark examines just what the term ‘mojo’ means. Saving the best till last ‘Dreams’ is a slow burn ballad, well sung by Mark. The tune bears some initial resemblance to Otis Redding’s “Dreams To Remember” but develops its own personality over its 5.37 time with impressive sax and guitar work. Over the last few years Mark Cameron has given us a series of solid albums, proving that he is, indeed, on a roll. ” - John Mitchell

— Blues Blast Magazine

With nearly a dozen albums to his credit, it can be safely said that Mark Cameron is a seasoned professional…not so much for the quantity of his work as for the quality. Cameron has consistently shown himself to be an accomplished songwriter, musician and storyteller. On A Roll is the work of a mature artist who has paid his dues, diligently studied the work of those who came before him and has spent years honing his skills. Mark Cameron and company have no need to impress anyone. As a band; they are as good as it gets…operating as a finely tuned machine. Mark Cameron (guitars,) Rick Miller (harmonica,) Dan Schroeder (drums) and Sheri Cameron (sax, flute & washboard) serve up a set that delivers on countless levels. It’s easy on the ear, will satisfy the dancers in the crowd and it runs a lot deeper than what appears on the surface. Within the beautiful tapestry of music; Cameron delivers words of wisdom and healing to all with a desire to listen. From straight-ahead blues to soulful ballads, On A Roll is top shelf. ” - Bill Wilson

— Reflections in Blue

 

 

“This is a great album...and the fact that it is a live recording makes it all the more amazing.” Bill Wilson 

Mark Cameron Band 

Live At Blues On The Chippewa 

Cop Records LMP-1678 

Straight-ahead house-rockin' boogie kicks this one off beautifully. There is something that works well. when a solid band backs a guitarist who has learned that faster does not equate to better. Add a good harp player to the mix and you have a recipe for success...or, at least, a real good time. Cameron on lead vocals and guitar wrote all the tunes except for Howlin' Wolf's "Killin' Floor." Add Bill Keyes on harp & vocals, Scott Lundberg on bass & vocal, Dan Schroeder on drums and Sheri Cameron on sax, flute, bongos shaker, tambourine, washboard, chimes, female vocals and the kitchen sink...if that's that it takes to get the job done. This is a band in the truest sense of the word. They have worked together long enough to hone their skills, get synced up and learn who they are in relationship to one another and know where a tune is going, even if it goes a bit differently than planned. They are connected in the being a good blues band, they play with passion, from a place within the heart. These tunes are more than simply words and music that someone thought "bluesy"...they are slices of real life. It is that authenticity that gives blues its power. These are real men and women singing about real-life situations. One of the things that impressed me the most about this band is that they do work together so smoothly. All too often I see bands that sound as if there is a war going on within the band...the guitarist is trying to outshine the harp player, the drummer is attempting to make sure his drums can be heard in the next county, etc. Everyone seems to have a separate agenda. In the case of the Mark Cameron Band, they play as a single unit...each player doing his part, with no showboating. Artists egos take a back seat. The song is the important factor. I was also impressed by the quality of the recording. While this is a live recording, it actually captures the ambience of the evening. The listener actually gets the feeling that they were there when the show was recorded. This is not usually the case with live recordings, but, when it works, it REALLY works. Be prepared to laugh, to cry and to dance until you wear holes in the soles of your shoes. This one's a keeper. - Bill Wilson 

 

Bill Wilson

Chris Spector 
Midwest Record 

COP 

MARK CAMERON BAND/Live at Blues on the Chippewa: A blues challenge winner, this record was a serendipitous, spontaneous affair that happened because his sound man noticed some killer sound equipment laying around when they were waiting to go on for their set. Knobs twisted and here we go. Certainly brimming with only take intensity, this long standing white boy with the blues plays like he has 30 years under his belt without sounding like he’s got 30 years under his belt. Perfectly capturing his live sound, this is the next best thing to being there. Totally hot stuff. 

Volume 40/Number 205 

May 25, 2017 

MIDWEST RECORD

 

 

The Mark Cameron Band review…May 25, 2017…. Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society

 LIVE! AT BLUES ON THE CHIPPEWA 

COP RECORDS  LPM 1678 

DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE–SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE–DICEY–BORROWED TIME–MOJO SHUFFLE–HAMMERED BY THE BLUES–KILLIN FLOOR–PLAYING ROUGH–DONE ME WRONG–RUSTY OLD MODEL T–BACK SEAT BOOGIE 

The Mark Cameron Band were about to play at Blues On The Chippewa at Memorial Park in Durand, WI, when bass man Scott Lundberg noticed the awesome equipment set-up.  Faster than Joliet Jake could say “Hit It!,” the fellows punched the REC button, and, ’bout an hour later, “Live! At Blues On The Chippewa” was a reality!  Ten originals and a hot cover of “Killin Floor” make up this record, with heavy emphasis on having a good time and pleasing crowds everywhere they go! 

 Mark Cameron, out of Minneapolis, is on vocals and all guitars, and does the writing.  Mr. Lundberg is on bass, Bill Reyes is on harp, Dan Schroeder is on drums, and Sheri Cameron is on flute, sax, percussion, and anything else a song might need. 

The band’s hi-energy sound and Mark’s incredible guitar skills always make them festival favorites, and they get this party started with the irresistible groove of “the blues is goin’ around,” so “Is There A Doctor In The House?”  Bill gets in a fine harp run at mid-song, too.  Things get a little “Dicey” on the funked-up strut of a tune dealing with folks who “go places they ain’t supposed to go,” and “see things they ain’t supposed to see.,” with Sheri on the sax.    They get down ‘n’ dirty with the slow-blues attack of Memphis women and juke joints, and gettin’ “Hammered By The Blues.”  Mark busts out his Resonator for a slide-driven, stompin’ pull of Delta blues straight outta a Mason jar, “You Done Me Wrong,” and cranks up the boogie on the humorous tale of his lover and “puttin’ fancy chrome on a Rusty Old Model T!” 

 We had two favorites, too.  The set closes on a rockabilly note, as Mark’s lover vanishes and turns up later doing the “Back Seat Boogie” in another dude’s car!  And, another cool song about just what makes us click and what makes us “different from the rest–we got mojo,” with a heavy dose of the “Mojo Shuffle1′ 

 The Mark Cameron Band possess that intangible “mojo,” if you will, that puts you in a dancin’ mood, and gives you that good feeling all over.  “Live! At Blues On The Chippewa” puts them right in their element–playing butt-rockin’ blues for a raucous crowd!  Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.