Harnessing the passion and pride of the heart of New Orleans is soul singer-songwriter, Marc Stone, whose latest album is nothing short of a love letter to the city’s richly diverse and vibrant music scene.
Breaking the mold of traditional blues, rock and Americana genres, Stone has developed a finely tuned sound of his own. What began as an isolation project during the early days of the pandemic has since blossomed into a deeply personal collection of eight songs, crafted with help from many of Stone’s fellow musicians.
Released earlier this month, Shining Like A Diamond features a stunning lineup of collaborations, including but not limited to: Leo Nocentelli and George Porter, Jr. of The Meters, Joy Clark, Mike Dillon, Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, Lilli Lewis, and several others. Palpable soul oozes from each track, all of them bursting with a unique combination of complementary instrumentation and vocal backing.
Opening with a raw acoustic energy that eventually hits with boogie woogie piano and vintage backing female harmonies, “Whatcha Gonna Do” is a playful track about living each moment like it’s your last. Stone’s impassioned vocals coupled with the buoyant, uplifting harmonies liven up the song, and with the underlying power of Zydeco rhythms underneath, it transports the listener straight to the streets of New Orleans. This track effectively sets the scene for the next seven songs to follow.
When we can’t be truly sure of much in this life, love is certainly one thing we can usually count on. At nearly 5 ½ minutes, the sixth track, “Love is Everything,” is the longest track off the album, giving its message plenty of air time. Featuring the George Porter Trio and Joy Clark, this song delivers a haunting refrain, a plea for us all to embrace love in this unpredictable and often cruel world.
Released as a single last October, “The Truth (Is What I Wanna Know)” has since accomplished another impressive feat for Stone – achieving license for use in AMC TV’s crime drama, Parish. This gritty single is unafraid to ask the tough questions about life: “Where do we come from / And where do we go?”
As the album draws to a close, Stone has one final message for listeners. “Hay” is about making the most of the little things and relishing happiness when it comes, so that the long days may be easier. Alongside his echoing chorus of “Make hay when the sun shines / Save it up for your hard times,” he taps listeners to “Smile and think of me over a glass of wine.”
About the album, Stone states, “I don’t think this record could have happened anywhere but New Orleans. When I listen back to these tracks, I feel like the whole world of New Orleans music I’ve been fortunate to be a part of for so long came together to help me sing my songs in my own voice.”
A musical triple threat himself, Stone dabbles as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. With six albums to his name, the artist has played in over 20 countries, including tours across the U.S. and Europe. His experience performing with artists of various genres continues to color his performances and musical composition today.
Stone’s three-pronged musical prowess does not stop when he leaves the stage. A lover and collector of vinyl, the artist can be found spinning records as DJ at festivals and clubs. With a heart for giving back, he conducts his weekly Soul Serenade program on a volunteer radio station in The Big Easy. Bridging the generational gap between emerging young artists and older names, he finds fulfillment in organizing projects that encourage collaboration between the two.
Until his next tour, you can find him playing shows in New Orleans for the next month.
