"The highlight of the entire evening happened when Mark launched into some blues (to a discerning audience in a Blues festival town), during which he played blistering, brilliant acoustic guitar licks, while voice-mimicking lead guitar sounds note for note, nuance for nuance in a masterful display of technique and taste that stands as one of our Club’s most memorable performances to this day. Not only that, but he had ‘em alternately cracking up with laughter or grooving their butts off and clapping.  He almost brought the house down!"

“Mookx” Hanley, BYRON VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, Byron Bay, NSW.

“Mark Laurent at the Bunker - magic - seeing is believing - hearing is mind-boggling.  Confirming the guitar hero status that he earned several decades ago, Mark's guitar is just about as expressive as his vocals, and what a great songwriter! Listening to Mark is like being washed in Irish Cream. He sings from the heart, and it's as much a pleasure watching the audience enjoying the thrill that he obviously gets from sharing his songs and musical gifts.  "It's only love in the end, that's all," and it shows in everything he does.”

Roger Giles The Bunker, Auckland

"Mark is an artist who comes from the heart. His music speaks a universal language that seems to touch every audience he plays to. The atmosphere he creates is intimate, warm, playful and rich with meaning and a wise knowing of shared experience that bathes the audience with a sense of belonging."

Rex McCann, Author

That’s definitely going on my next ambient compilation. Love the feel. Us oldies need music that breathes and sits in around the edges of our tattered consciousness but still hints that the God of Creation we’re placing our faith in hasn’t dispensed with us altogether. Of course the best brew is often saved to last. This is cool, funky, mellow…and I like it.”

Keith Newman, on “Distracted”, from UnderGrowth

“Mark Laurent play’s the blues like his life depends on it! His guitar is just about as expressive as his vocals and confirms the guitar hero status that he earned several decades ago when his professional music career kicked off in the 1970’s. Mark is an astute and seasoned performer.”

- Mark Raffills, poet, journalist, MC

Photo: Andrew Hoggard