Search - Guy Clark :: Dublin Blues

Texastentialism at its best

william woolum | 05/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Guy Clark's *Dublin Blues* has the feel of a diamond cutter at work. Every word, every phrase is like a diamond cutter's blow, exact, giving more by cutting excess away. "Dublin Blues", the title cut, portrays a haunted, worldly guy -- he's been to Spain, seen the David, heard Doc Watson -- but his heart is broken, he longs for forgiveness, and none of the beauty he's found in the world can relieve his sufferering. It's the first of a series of searching, bluesy country songs exploring loss, hope, faith, dreams, and grief. If you like minimalist art, if you enjoy laconic, soulful songs and pared down musical arrangements, Guy Clark's *Dublin Blues* achieves near perfection."

I hear something new and profound at every listening.

william woolum | 04/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot listen to Guy Clark without hearing something new at every playing. This guy always seems to be talking directly to me. As far as the Amazon reviewer mentioning a limited range and tone and clip-clop tempos... he has totally missed the whole point of Guy Clark. I can't imagine anyone else doing his songs as well as he does or anyone "improving" his songs by changing anything about them. They are LIFE. They are TRUTH. They are PROFOUND. The feelings of every son to every father are in "The Randall Knife". I hope I'm living my life with "The Cape" tied around my neck; if you're not, why are you here? Haven't you met people you wished would "Shut Up and Talk To Me"? I could go on, but I hope my point is clear: This guy Clark "KNOWS" and can craft and create in words and music the things we should all be aware of in our own lives. He's not just writing about life in the abstract, at a distance. He's been there and has much to tell us, if we will take the time to listen."

Masterpiece

J. Johnson | Manassas, VA | 06/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here I am in Dublin...from there I'm hooked. Some of Guy's best writing. The title tune with the odd acoustic riff and the spooky sense of sorrow and joy at the same time. "Stuff That Works", the collaboration with Rodney Crowell that includes a really sweet turn toward Guy's wife Suzannah, "Black Diamond Strings", the obligitory this could be a drunken sing along song if you want it to be, not to mention a tip of the cap to Rodney and those strings every guitar player started out with.



The highlight though is a beautiful version of what is arguably the best song Guy has ever written, "The Randall Knife." It's one of those songs that when its over you say if I could write anything as good as any line in that song I could die a happy man. The tune about a relationship with a father is one most of us can relate to.



This is one another of those take it to a desert island records. Buy it today"