Music

Music has been a large part of Mark’s life in prison and a source of real comfort and solace in an otherwise bleak environment. In organising various events, Mark has helped raise over £1250 for Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, and almost £1000 for the Howard League for Penal Reform, through his music. Mark has performed with Eric Clapton, Cashhtastic, Hardwicke Circus, Liberty Choir, Terry Waite, Bryn Haworth, and many others whilst in prison.

Mark has written over 20 songs in captivity, with lyrics reflecting on politics, criminal justice policy, and relationships. He has also composed 7 worship songs for Christian fellowship, to date, expressing his search for hope, strength, and wisdom through faith. Here are some of the pieces his family have shared with us over the years, including one or two early demos. It may take some time for a song to load fully, so if you do experience a sudden cut off when listening, press the pause button on the player to allow more time for your computer or device to catch up, or try reloading this page.

‘What’s Going On?’

Mark performs a cover of the famous Marvyn Gaye track

‘Where is the Love?’

Mark delivers a stunning arrangement of the Black Eyed Peas song on his Violin, Live, with a looper pedal

‘Master Blaster’

Mark performs a cover of Stevie Wonder’s song

‘I Feel Free’ (Demo)

Mark performs a Demo of an original love song he wrote in prison, Live on piano, with a group of prisoners learning music together

‘Feeling Good’

A Live clip from one of the many charity concerts Mark has sang in over the years, with a Cover version of Nina Simone’s hit song

‘Vals Poetico’

Some Piano from a recital Mark gave as part of an afternoon of Words and Music with Terry Waite CBE. Here he plays jazz by Enrique Granados. You can listen to excerpts from the event, including Terry’s talk, here.

‘Every Time you Smile’ (Demo)

Mark performs an original song he wrote for his friend’s Wedding, and enlists some fellow prisoners to play along

‘Stand By Me’

Another impromptu arrangement on the Violin from Mark, this time of a Ben E. King tune, using his looper pedal in a live outdoor concert in tribute to the NHS #ClapForOurCarers

‘Severn Meadows’

Mark took on the challenge of studying a Diploma in Music Performance (DipABRSM). This is one of the songs that he chose to perform as part of a 35 minute exam recital which included English folk song, German lied, French art-song, Oratorios (sacred music), and opera. You can listen to a selection here and find out how he got on.

‘Easy’

Mark performs a Live Cover of this classic Commodores song on the Piano

‘Nocturne in B’

Mark plays one of Chopin’s Nocturnes here, which he studied as part of his Grade 8 exam in prison. You can listen to more of his repertoire and view the examiner’s comments here.

‘Half the World Away’

Mark gives a feel good performance of this Oasis track with the prison band

‘White Christmas’

Some nostalgia now, as we look back to a studio recording from Mark’s first year in prison, tackling the old Bing Crosby favourite

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1 Response

  1. Oh Mark, love your music and lyrics! It’s and honour and privilege to make music with you once a month, and without doubt, a highlight in the month, especially as it honours and glorifies God. You will no doubt know the story of Joseph, in Genesis 39 – 50, if not, get stuck into it, it’s anazing! Joseph was wrongly imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, but we read again and again, “The Lord with Joseph”, so may the God of Joseph continue be The God of Mark, and bless you abundantly, as He did Joseph. Love and blessings, tim

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