Can I Tell You Something? is Mark Lettieri’s ninth album as a leader and it’s a fantastic addition to the collection. Many listeners will know Mark as one of the guitarists in the Grammy-winning band Snarky Puppy or the collaborative funk band The Fearless Flyers. He’s also put out a string of successful albums including Deep: The Baritone Sessions Vol. 1 & 2 (Read our coverage of Vol. 2 here) which leaned heavy on the funk. This album primarily features the touring Mark Lettieri Group including Wes Stephenson on bass (Funky Knuckles), Jason “JT” Thomas on drums (Snarky Puppy, FORQ) and Daniel Porter on keys).
Mark is known as a power player, often quoting guitarists like Van Halen, or other metal-oriented players during his virtuosic solos with Snarky Puppy. Naturally, he also has the chops to deliver the softer sections of any music he plays, and that is amply demonstrated on this album. There’s a broad range of music styles on this album that should sate the tastes of Mark’s current fans and also garner new followers. Have a read and listen, track-by-track.
Track By Track
Dragonfly takes off with a power riff from Mark and in the video, he’s playing four guitar parts on this heavy jam. The trip along frets alternates with the solo offsets for a hard-driving sound. This tune fits in the intersection between jazz fusion and prog rock, distinctive in the blending of both.
Canyon Run is midtempo high-energy ride with the band laying down some groove heavy lanes for Mark to bounce around within. Mark has a unique sound, somewhat similar to Jeff Beck with Pat Metheny flavor on top. Canyon Run has an edgy sound but fully polished by the tightness of the band that’s been playing together for a while.
Black Iris starts with Mark on bass guitar and Daniel with a bright piano accompaniment. JT is playing so restrained and the guitar solo glides through in the melody that has a bit of a Texas feel, perhaps like RL’s from Snarky Puppy at 1/4 speed. It’s great to hear Zach Brock from Snarky on this tune with a beautiful solo lofting in. He takes it from a soft beginning to another level entirely.
Blankworld starts very light with a lush guitar and bass duet. The lead guitar quickly establishes probably the most memorable melodic refrain on the album. It has a cinematic theme feeling. Mark plays super dynamically in the body of the song. There’s a cool section where he and JT just volley licks. This is a great jam.
Time After Time, of course is the classic Cindi Lauper hit, and Mark starts this off pretty much as a straight up cover, in key and tempo. It’s instantly recognizable, touching and soft. The video is interesting showing the 4 guitar parts being played synchronously but recorded separately. Don’t be lulled by a couple of guitars laying out because it accelerates requiring all four before reaching its peak.
Shimmy Tiger is another video release and shows four Marks on guitar of different types and sounds. It’s another very catchy melody, with a big sound for the chorus. It highlights Mark’s versatility and has a strong cohesiveness in delivering a power anthem.
Saturday Stuff is a damn funky tune, starting off with a roller-coaster ascending ramp and dropping into a bass-laden groove. This one has that head bobbing, booty shaking syncopation that would satisfy any funk fan. Of course, the synth is scintillating with Snarky Puppy’s Mo Boogie Man Bobby Sparks on organ for this, paired with Daniel on keys. Great tune!
Greenspace has a funky as hell bass opening that leads into some power chords that could be at home with ZZ Top. It’s a bit bluesy in a funky stew. The bridge is early-Metheny-adjacent, very trippy, in the best way. The second half gives me a Sylva Snarky feel at the onset before dropping back to the main theme to close.
Neural Net sounds ominous at the start, then, JT and Wes lay down the funkiest groove and Daniel and Bobby start some sparkling synths. The power baritone comes in on top of the band cruising and we’re bouncing down the road. Great traveling music!
Gemstone starts out and stays funky with a Wes-JT-Daniel throughline that Mark riffs over. Mark plays a mid-tempo electric lead with some sparkling keyboard work from Daniel in the background. Gemstone is an excellent blend of funk-fusion and a fine close out to the album.
Personnel
Players
- Mark Lettieri: electric, baritone electric, and acoustic guitars, bass VI (tracks 3 & 5), keyboards, programming
- Jason “JT” Thomas: drums
- Daniel Porter: keyboards (tracks 2, 3, 6, 7, 9 & 10)
- Wes Stephenson: bass
- Bobby Sparks: organ (tracks 7 & 9), Minimoog (track 9)
- Zach Brock: violin (track 3)
Production
- Joey Lomas: mixing and engineering
- Elly Gallo: assistant engineer
- Mason McCall: organ and Minimoog engineer
- Dave McNair: mastering
- “Shimmy Tiger” and “Dragonfly” character designs by Anna Lang
- Written, arranged, and produced by Lettieri for Markus Justinius Music (SESAC). “Time After Time” written by Cyndi Lauper and Rob Hyman.