Mark Waistell

Event information

Mark Waistell sang and played a bit as a student and then life and the necessity to earn a living stepped in and he didn’t pick up a guitar in earnest for 30-odd years.

A desire to “have another go” led to a new guitar and after a period of re-learning how to play, Mark took three weeks away from work and wrote twenty songs. These were heard by some people and, to his amazement, he found himself in a studio for the first time with the well-known acoustic producer, Mark Tucker (Jethro Tull, Fairport Convention, Show of Hands, Ralph McTell etc.) supported by an impressive “band” of famous names of the Acoustic and Folk World including Phil Beer (Show of Hands) on violin, Gerry Conway (Fairport Convention) on percussion, Spencer Cozens (John Martyn and Joan Armatrading) on piano and Barney Morse-Brown (Duotone and Imagined Village) on cello. The album, appropriately named “Latecomer”, came out in 2012, had excellent reviews and Mark did some gigs and radio appearances, which were well-received. Then he had to go back to the day job once more.

Lockdown gave him time to write again and soon he had more than 60 new songs. Twelve of these found their way onto his second album, “For A Sonnet Or A Shilling”, which came out at the end of 2023. Again produced by Mark Tucker, this album also features the violin of Georgina Leach (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Seasick Steve) and the cello of Barney Morse-Brown (Duotone) once more.

Mark has now left the day-job and in 2024 and 2025 played at folk clubs, folk festivals, literary festivals, charity concerts and acoustic venues around the UK from Penzance to Newcastle. A third album of original songs, “With A Fine Disregard”, comes out at the end of 2025 , featuring again the wonderful violin of Georgina Leach and produced by Mark Tucker. He will be touring this album in 2026.

Mark’s voice is soft, clear, smooth & distinctive; his lyrics are evocative of a life’s experiences ..his fingerpicking guitar is sophisticated…….the understated playing is beguiling and vocals as clement and serene as a dappled golden water meadow…..Beautiful!
“FolkCast”

Songs of depth and feeling delivered by a voice that has the substance and richness that only time and experience can engender. Striking melodies and charismatic songs. “My England of Long Ago“ is stunning—hold on to this one, it will become a classic.
“Folk Words”

Mark Waistell –with a bucketful of self-penned songs and a voice and impeccable guitar style to die for.
Jurassic Folk Club

A really brilliant night……….lovely songs, sung and played beautifully.
Bradford-on-Avon Folk Club

Our headliner Mark Waistell was just stunning! Evocative singing of stories just becoming so real for us, along with haunting guitar playing.
Brunny Folk, Wimborne

www.markwaistell.com