MARC BROUSSARD returns to the Netherlands after 3 years for an exclusive show at Cultuurpodium Boerderij - Zoetermeer. "S.O.S: Save Our Soul", an album full of striking soul classics released in 2007, turned out to be the right album at the right time. Whereas his first two albums were only released in America, this album was released on the independent record label Vanguard via Go! Entertainment. Through the worldwide distribution of the label, we were introduced to Marc Broussard in the Netherlands and with, among others, performances at the North Sea Jazz Festival (2008) he regularly played in Dutch theatres. A very welcome introduction because Marc Broussard has a soul voice that touches deeply. Surprising if you know he's a white redhead. After a wonderful TV performance with Dutch TV personality Paul de Leeuw, Marc had a nice radio hit with his song Come In From The Cold.
There is something about the voice of Marc Broussard that resonates well with audiences. Even when he sings the text of a cook- or telephone book, he still manages to captivate his audience. This makes his material, as the title of his latest album already indicates, "Easy To Love". Whereas Broussard's previous album was packed with covers, "Easy To Love" is almost completely filled with work of his own. Several gems can be found. The title track is one of the most soulful on the album, Wounded Hearts aims straight for your soul and the melancholy Don't Be Afraid To Call Me about friendships gone wrong paints a beautiful picture. There's the odd cover, they are among the scarce somewhat lesser moments on this album. Frankie Miller's Baton Rouge gets a reasonably straight -up-and-down treatment and is therefore somewhat flat. The Pretenders' Stand By You receives a complete make-over, but this is a song that is so engraved in the collective memory that it will be difficult for the listener to get used to. This also applies, as you might suspect, to Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye. However, Broussard strips this song completely and with only voice and guitar the requiem for Mother Earth only gains in strength. Beautiful performance and emotion is once again retained in the fine performance of Gavin's Song (his own cover), featuring vocals and this time a piano. When finally the sound of the piano dies away and Easy To Love ends in a proper silence, you cannot help but be impressed by another beautiful album by Marc Broussard. An evening with Marc Broussard is a true experience for all fans of soul in the Netherlands!
source: Written In Music (Edgar Kruize)