Source: Marinij.com
Author: Paul Liberatore


Singer-guitarist Mark Karan wrote the title track to this heartfelt solo album while he was in a hospital bed, steeling himself for a battle against throat cancer. After chemotherapy and radiation, Karan, one of rock’s most respected sidemen, has been pronounced cancer-free and has returned to his lead guitar slot in Bob Weir’s band RatDog.

The song “Walk Through the Fire” is about personal resolve, humility, acceptance, courage and lessons learned in his brush with the life-threatening disease. Karan, who lives in Fairfax, manages this without being preachy or mawkish, showing maturity and strength in dealing with what was an intensely emotional experience. Profits from the track will go to the Oral Cancer Foundation.

After Jerry Garcia’s death, Karan was chosen to share his lead guitar slot with Steve Kimock in the post-Grateful Dead band the Other Ones, playing with that group for its two tours.

When Weir, the Dead’s rhythm guitarist and singer, formed RatDog, he tapped Karan as his lead guitarist. He moonlights with his side group, Jemimah Puddleduck.

He doesn’t need any help on this CD, but it’s enriched by some prestigious guest musicians – the late Delaney Bramlett joins voices with Karan and plays dobro on Robert Johnson’s blues classic “Love in Vain.” And Little Feat’s Bill Payne sweetens Karan’s uptempo “Rock Your Papa” with Wurlitzer organ. The Persuasions add background vocals.

Karan nods to Marin rock history with “Annie Don’t Lie,” a New Orleans-flavored tune written by Alex Call, former lead singer of the pioneering Marin band Clover. He honors his Grateful Dead ties with “Easy Wind,” written by Robert Hunter, who co-wrote most of the classic Dead songs with Garcia.

Two other Karan originals, “Time Will Tell” and “Leave a Light On,” are evidence of a hidden talent: as a songwriter.But it’s the title track that is destined to be Karan’s legacy. He has walked through the fire, and the rock world cheers him for it.
Buy It: “Walk Through the Fire,” Mark Karan, independent, from www.markkaran.com or iTunes $15.

– Paul Liberatore